JNA Awards 2016 now accepting entries

JNA Awards 2016 now accepting entries

HONG KONG, 4 March 2016 – The fifth edition of the JNA Awards is inviting qualified companies and individuals from the jewellery and gemstone industry to enter the prestigious international award. 

(From left) Nishit Parikh, Director of Diarough Group; Rita Maltez, Director of Rio Tinto Diamonds for Greater China; Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia; Peter Suen, Executive Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group Ltd; Noa Pardo, Managing Director of Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies Asia Pacific; Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia; and Liu Zheng, Deputy General Manager of Guangdong Land Holdings Ltd.

The annual JNA Awards, organised by JNA, recognises innovators and leaders who have made significant contributions to the advancement of the trade in Asia, and have demonstrated excellence and outstanding entrepreneurial achievements.

There is no cost to enter the JNA Awards and entrants can be self-nominated or nominated by others.

This year, the Awards will cover 11 categories:
1.       Lifetime Achievement Award (nominated by the organiser)
2.       Brand of the Year – Retail    
3.       Industry Innovation/Sustainability Initiative of the Year 
4.       Manufacturer of the Year – Cutting & Polishing
5.       Manufacturer of the Year – Jewellery  
6.       Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – ASEAN/Korea 
7.       Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – India   
8.       Outstanding Enterprise of the Year – Greater China     
9.       Retailer of the Year (450 outlets and below) 
10.     E-tailer of the Year   
11.     Young Entrepreneur of the Year (Age 40 and below)

The JNA Awards 2016 is supported by Headline Partners, Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook, together with Diarough Group, the Israel Diamond Institute Group of Companies, Shanghai Diamond Exchange, and Guangdong Land Holdings Limited serving as Honoured Partners.

Wolfram Diener, Senior Vice President of UBM Asia, said, “This year marks the fifth year of the JNA Awards, and as the organiser of the event, we are very proud of the impact and recognition the Awards has achieved thus far.

“As part of our company mission, UBM Asia is always seeking ways to better serve the trade. For our jewellery portfolio, the JNA Awards creates a strong synergy with our various fairs and trade publications to offer the jewellery and gemstone industry a comprehensive platform to conduct business in a more effective manner. In addition, the JNA Awards offers a unique opportunity where thought leaders, pioneers and successful entrepreneurs gather in one occasion to discuss breakthroughs to advance the trade and exchange views on how the industry can be transformed in a positive way.”

Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA, Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia, and Chair of the JNA Awards judging panel, said, “We are very privileged to be able to work closely with our Partners and experts from the industry each year to identify ways to make the JNA Awards a more meaningful event for the trade. As we enter the Awards’ fifth year, we have reviewed the judging criteria and revised the entry format to make it easier for entrants to share their achievements and highlight their success stories. We have also consolidated some categories that are judged against a similar set of criteria to create a more dynamic environment and a new level of competition. Moreover, some of the categories have been expanded to invite more entrants from regions that are key to the jewellery and gemstone industry.”

Rita Maltez, Director of Rio Tinto Diamonds for Greater China, said, “The JNA Awards is an important part of Rio Tinto’s ongoing investment in the diamond industry, and we are delighted to continue as a headline sponsor in the fifth year of the Awards. The strong foundation we have created over the past five years is more important than ever in supporting growth in our industry, and we look forward to seeing a strong group of entries to showcase the best of our business.”

“The annual JNA Awards is a platform not only for recognising distinguished performances and encouraging innovation and progress, but also for exchanging ideas and connecting with the industry’s elite from different parts of the world. The JNA Awards’ contribution is highly regarded for promoting best business practices and fostering a sustainable operating environment for the industry. In recent years, the jewellery sector has faced many challenges. The industry should strive to keep pace with market changes through continuous innovation and improvement in an ever-evolving environment. The JNA Awards has demonstrated its positive and indomitable spirit in the pursuit of excellence and best business practices. Chow Tai Fook hopes that the JNA Awards will continue to thrive and shine in its effort to further drive the prosperous development of the jewellery industry,” said Kent Wong, Managing Director of Chow Tai Fook Jewellery Group.

Interested parties can access the entry forms now on the JNA Award’s official website. Deadline for submissions will be midnight (Hong Kong time) of 30 April 2016.

The judging process will be undertaken by a highly respected international panel starting from May to mid-June. The Honourees or shortlisted entrants will be announced on 23 June at the June Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair, and will be feted together with the Recipients or winners on 14 September at the JNA Awards Ceremony and Gala Dinner during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair.

For more information, visit http://www.jnaawards.com/ or contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852 2516-2184
[email protected]