Life Coach in Biltmore, AZ

Featuring over 200 luxury jewelry designers, manufacturers, marketing agencies, tech companies and more, The Centurion Jewelry Show draws some 300 prestige jewelry retailers every year to Phoenix, Arizona during the last week of January and early February. Directly preceding the Tucson Gem Shows, Centurion will sparkle from January 29 through 31, 2023 at the Arizona Biltmore, A Waldorf Astoria Resort. Featuring various private buying salons, ballrooms filled with exhibitors plus morning educational talks given by experts, Centurion is also a fiesta of catered meals, Open Bar networking, private parties and more, all in a sunny Southwestern setting. As the first luxury jewelry show of the year, it’s also one of the industry’s most important trade gatherings.

Year’s First Luxury Jewelry Show

Every year at Centurion, leading jewelry businesses launch new collections, make news and share cutting-edge information with attendees. Centurion also attracts members of the jewelry media who document the show’s stylistic, material, color and technical trends. They also report on which retailers are ordering what new designs in all categories, including bridal and high jewelry. This year, as in the past, eminent jewelry journalists and social media influencers will be reporting live about Centurion on various channels.

Centurion 2023 offers valuable learning opportunities via expert speaker presentations. For example, on Sunday January 29, the scheduled speaker is Tom Shay, owner of Profits Plus Inc. and a fourth-generation small business owner who lectures widely on how to improve business operations and profitability. Shay will impart advice on such topics as how to spend your marketing budget to retain customers first and attain new customers second. Also to be covered is how and why advertising should be measured and how expense monitoring and achieving margin are imperative, plus how to create your own budget and cash flow projections.

This year, Centurion is launching a RapidFire Business Building Ideas for Retailers breakfast program to stimulate and educate. Expert presenters and topics include: Gus Garcia of Bottom Line Marketing on ‘The Importance of Branding & Finding Consistency During Volatility’, Platinum Guild International USA’s Senior Vice President Kevin Reilly on “What’s In Your Platinum,” and the website-building company Punchmark’s Bryan Cockerham on ‘Get The Most from Your Website’.

A Global Cross-Section of Designers

A key reason why trends start at Centurion is because of its global cross-section of luxury jewelry exhibitors. In the European jewelry space, Hulchi Belluni from Antwerp, Belgium will present a wondrously varied line created by Martine Hul, whose ergonomically elegant fine and high jewelry designs are informed by her studies of Chinese geomancy and energy flows. Chic Italian jewelry designs will be on offer from Hasbani Gioielli, Vendorafa, Miseno Italy, Antonio Papini, Pasquale Bruni, Picchiotti, Piero Milano, Vhernier and Pippo Perez, which excels at gender-fluid diamond and colored gemstone bracelets that embody upscale bohemian style.

While the Paris-based diamond jewelry brand MESSIKA glitters with edgy urban sophistication, Montreal-based Anzie offers a colorful and cosmic array of diamond and colored gemstone jewelry, from diamond and 14-karat gold jewelry to ornate necklaces to exotically beautiful ear climbers.

U.S. family-owned and operated heritage jewelers like Kwiat, Fred Leighton, Oscar Heyman and Rahaminov Diamonds present ultra-refined designs and diamond jewelry of the highest caliber and also create romantic bridal jewelry designs that feature expertly cut, high-grade diamonds. According to Centurion President and CEO Howard Hauben, “Over the last 22 years, Centurion has become a trusted industry brand which has also grown into a community that has helped generate nearly a billion dollars in sales among attendees and exhibitors. Our business structure,” Hauben continued, “wherein we work hand-in-hand with our exhibitors, has enabled us to overcome major challenges such as 9-11, which struck just before our 2002 launch show, the great recession of 2008-2009 and of course, the COVID-19 pandemic.” According to Hauben, “Our community is stronger than ever, and I very much look forward to the next 20 years of growing together.”

It’s worth noting that in addition to showcasing the best in luxury jewelry designs, Centurion also exhibits cutting edge jewelry business development experts that specialize in helping jewelry designers, manufacturers and retailers assess and measurably grow their businesses. For example, SmartAge Solutions, a full-service, digital marketing agency serving those in the fine jewelry industry, is one of the show’s sponsors. Other digital-related companies showing at Centurion include The Edge, a software provider which helps independent retail jewelers become more profitable through the use of targeted technologies and strategies. Then there is also Thinkspace, which specializes in jewelry website design for retailers and vendors.

Invaluable Gemstone Research and Jewelry News

Centurion further serves its community by presenting exhibitors involved in gemological research and natural plus lab-grown gemological identification. The presence of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) at Centurion is a case in point. Founded in 1931, the GIA is a leading authority on diamonds, colored stones, and pearls. A public benefit, nonprofit institute now based in Carlsbad, CA., GIA has long been a leading source of knowledge, standards, and education in gemstones and jewelry. Constantly creating new technologies for gem and jewelry identification, GIA and its Centurion booth are always worth checking in on for the latest news that professionals can use to their benefit.

The emerging realm of certified sustainable gemstones will be showcased at Centurion 2023 by SCS Global Services, which is showing there for the first time. Based in Emeryville, CA., SCS is a for-profit standard certification organization that’s been providing certification services to the jewelry sector for over a decade. SCS has devised the world’s most stringent benchmark of Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) accountability for the diamond industry to date. The company’s natural diamond and lab-grown diamond Sustainability Standard is titled SCS 007 ; it was developed over the last decade by an SCS-led international multi-stakeholder committee. SCS-007 is major jewelry news as it’s the first standard program to accurately trace a diamond's journey from its point of origin in a mine or lab and on to the cutter to the manufacturer to the jewelry store, and finally to the consumer.

Because SCS 007’s documented empirical chain of custody provisions guarantee provenance with 99% accuracy, it is the antithesis of greenwashing. Just as the USDA certified organic label on vegetables and other foods assures customers of organically grown products, the SCS 007 certification assures diamond and jewelry professionals, plus the all-important customers, of a diamond’s sustainable origins and ethical journey through the chain of custody.

Set in a tranquil resort and geared towards building community, Centurion’s opportunities for discovering new designs, networking with colleagues and gaining actionable knowledge are unparalleled. Unlike the vast majority of jewelry trade shows, most of which take place in Las Vegas and other giant convention centers pulsing with roaring crowds, Centurion is a show on a refreshingly human scale. Because of its timing before the Tucson shows, it also allows jewelry professionals to fit both events into the same Southwestern trip should they so desire.

The Super Luxe Experience Weekend on Feb 11-12, 2023, will welcome athletes, entertainers, influencers and business leaders in Phoenix, Arizona.

Ralmon "Tim" McAfee, CEO of International McAfee Group LLC, is one of the organizers of the upcoming Super Luxe Rooftop Experience Weekend on February 11-12, 2023, in Phoenix, Arizona.

Super Luxe Rooftop Weekend will provide upscale fun for fans and money for local charities on Feb 11-12, 2023, at Life Time in Phoenix's Biltmore Fashion Park.

We are very excited for what is to come. We are working hard to put together the perfect line up to create a memorable event”

— Mechelle Tucker

PHOENIX, ARIZONA, USA, January 12, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Some people use the quote in Book of Ecclesiastes, “…there is no new thing under the sun.” Yes, the two surviving National Football League teams will clash for the 57th time next month. But there will be many exciting, new opportunities available for fans from around the world who gather in the “Valley of the Sun” to see the Big Game this year. One of these, organized by Arizona residents, is the SUPER LUXE ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE, which will occur February 11-12, 2023, at Life Time, 2580 E. Camelback Rd, Phoenix, Arizona.

The International McAfee Group & 1st Class Consultant are the key organizers for the event. 1st Class Consultant CEO Mechelle Tucker of said: “We are very excited for what is to come. We are working hard to put together the perfect line up to create a memorable event. We want all our guests, partners, sponsors, and vendors to enjoy the super luxe rooftop experience.”

The primary objective of the SUPER LUXE ROOFTOP EXPERIENCE is to bring influential individuals from sports, entertainment, and business worlds together to provide financial support and recognition to local charities. The charities honored will include Mechelle Cares Foundation, The Vantasy Project, Million Dollar Mingle Charities, NFLPA, Rise and Dream Foundation, and Phoenix Children’s Hospital.

Also, the AZ Game Changer Prestige Award will honor those who have gone above and beyond, for the greater good of other individuals or groups. The diverse list of 2023 honorees includes Alton Mason Jr, Brandon Howard, Richie Evans, Super Snake, Councilman OD Harris, Mechelle Tucker, Ann Meyers Drysdale, Jerome Daniels, Donovan McNabb, AC Caswell, Steven Hunter, and Frank Sanders.

In addition to being inspired by these events on Saturday, the entire weekend will provide attendees with an incredibly unique, diverse, entertaining, and inspiring experience, like the Rap Snacks OOWEE FEST. Attendees can also enjoy a celebrity fashion show (with contributors such as J Crew, Lululemon, Saks Fifth, Ralph Lauren, Failure Brand and Black Russian Label), curated content, live entertainment (such as Hip Hop Violinist Josh Vietti), a celebrity DJ, a gaming lounge; pop-up shops; celebrity meet-&-greets; a casino night; a Taste of Biltmore Foodie Experience (including Tocaya Modern Mexican Grill, Breakfast Club, Everything Legendary, etc.); VIP gifts and a charity raffle; red carpet photos; a Puff & Smoke lounge; The Biltmore Sipping Experience; luxury cars (Bentley, Rolls Royce, etc.); VIP valet parking; and a VIP Players/Media/Celebrity Lounge.

The Luxe Weekend experience presents a prime opportunity for brands to increase product awareness and loyalties, while donating to charities. There is still time for those who would like to become sponsors or vendors, or to join Brandon Howard, Alton Mason, Shaun Milli and other athletes, celebrities, entertainers, fashionistas, rainmakers, socialites, dignitaries, and influencers who will be at Biltmore Fashion Square on February 11-12. Detailed information on the SUPER LUXE ROOF TOP EXPERIENCE can be found at www.superluxeweekend.com. For specific questions, companies and individuals can contact: info@superluxeweekend.com. For media inquiries, contact media@denisemeridith.com.

I recently got the chance to see the legendary Biltmore Hotel in Phoenix, AZ. This magnificent resort opened its doors on February 23, 1929. They had an opening gala that lasted three days in a row in order to accommodate all of the people who wanted to attend.

Although the architecture is often attributed to Frank Lloyd Wright, it was actually designed by Albert Chase MacArthur, a mentee of Wright. Wright was brought in to consult on the project, though. Reportedly, MacArthur had paid Wright $10,000 to use his patented block design which would be the equivalent of $164,000 in today’s money. But it turned out that Wright did not own the patent which really put a kink in their relationship. For the interior and exterior of the Biltmore, more than 250,000 tile blocks were used. They were produced on site and are still made on site to this day.

In 1929 during the crash of the stock market, the Biltmore ended up getting sold to William Wrigley Jr. of chewing gum fame, who was one of the original investors. The Wrigley family owned the resort until 1973 when it was sold to the Talleys.

Shortly after the sale, there was a huge fire that roared through the hotel during renovations. It was a six-alarm fire to which 35 firetrucks and 150 firefighters responded. Afterwards, construction crews worked 24 hours a day for 81 days to make the repairs and restore the hotel to open on time for the season.

Here are some fun facts: Irving Berlin wrote the holiday tune “White Christmas“ while lounging poolside at the Biltmore. Clark

Gable and Marilyn Monroe were visitors. Even though there’s no record of her staying at the hotel, she reportedly liked to go to sunbathe poolside there when filming in nearby Phoenix. In the 1960s, Frank Sinatra, Liza Minnelli and Sammy Davis Jr. put an impromptu show on in the lobby.

In March 2020 the property underwent a $100 million upgrade. It was fascinating to tour the property and see how beautifully the lighting is incorporated into the overall design

The lobby is a jewel. The lighting does a great job of warming up the concrete walls and columns. It also does enhance the textures of Frank Lloyd Wright tile designs wonderfully.

These caste translucent panels are incorporated into the walls, columns and ceilings throughout the property. Tiny set crews can be removed when changing bulbs. The original incandescent bulbs were replaced with LED versions in a 2700K color temperature which are specifically made for enclosed fixtures.

The reception area is quite inviting. I like how the counters have a linear LED light which grazes the textured tiles on the façade. Period wall sconces and inset back-lit panels add to the overall welcoming feel.

As a part of the latest renovation, new fixtures were selected that were evocative of the original Art Deco design. This fixture is used in the lobby and is an impressive 4’x 5’

The dining room is also spectacular. Original long pendant fixtures help create a human scale for the space which sports a 20 foot ceiling.

In the hallways of the hotel the cast concrete tiles extended out onto the ceiling. In-floor LED uplights were installed to illuminate the detailing above.

One of the jewels of the hotel is the Wright Bar, located just off the lobby. It is where the Tequila Sunrise was created by Gene Sulit in the 1930s. The story goes that a guest asked him to make a cocktail to drink poolside and to surprise him with the flavor. It is made of soda, tequila, fresh lime juice and Crème de Cassis. The density of the cassis caused it to settle on the bottom of the glass which mimicked the look of a sunrise. It is the cocktail that helps you forget to remember.

One of my favorite spots is the Mystery Room. It was built as a speakeasy in 1929 to circumvent Prohibition which lasted from 1920 to 1933. Indirect LED linear cove lighting fills the room with soft ambient light, as do the frosted glass leaded skylights do during the day. It can be rented out for private events for up to 30 people.

The most architecturally spectacular space in the hotel is the Aztec Room. It sports an 18 karat gold leaf ceiling, which is the second largest one in the world. The largest is in the Taj Mahal. Indirect lighting washes over the ceiling to create a luxurious warm feel.

If you do get a chance to visit, do take one of the architectural tours. Then have a tequila Sunrise on me.

All photos courtesy of Randall Whitehead.

Just like old classic collector cars, Arizona Concours d’Elegance is making its comeback with a new artistic upgrade.

The highly anticipated Arizona Concours d’Elegance is making a return to the valley this month at the newly renovated Scottsdale Civic Center. Attendees of the event, put on in partnership with Scottsdale Arts, will be able to get up close and personal with some of the world’s rarest, and most valuable, collector cars at the curated and judged exhibition, as well as support the arts and local artists.

As lovers of all things design (including automotive design!), ICONIC LIFE sat down with Arizona Concours d’Elegance co-founders and directors, Chuck Stanford Jr. and Ed Winkler, to get all of the need-to-know information for the event!

IT STARTED WITH A PHONE CALL

A classic car enthusiast and friend of Winkler’s called him up one day and proposed the idea of doing a Concours. Winkler knew that there had been talks of bringing a Concours to Phoenix but for one reason or another, it never materialized. With little hesitation, he was in but knew there was one other person that they needed to make it happen. He called up Stanford, let him in on the idea and heard the words “Sign me up!” through the phone.

We should mention that these conversations occurred in the middle of 2016, giving the three men about six months to pull off what others couldn’t do. Despite all odds, they did it, and the rest, as they say, is history.

The Arizona Concours d’Elegance got its official start in 2014, holding its first event at the Arizona Biltmore Resort in Phoenix. For four years, Stanford and Winkler watched their event shift into hyperdrive as it grew year over year, becoming what they would consider one of the top Concours events in the country, going as far as to say that it could have been top five. The duo credits the event’s speedy success to a few main things.

“We were able to do that because we brought in, number one, the best cars, number two, the best judges, and number three, we had a wonderful partner in Make-A-Wish that provided a lot of backup for us.” Winkler continued, “You take all of that and surround it with the Biltmore Hotel and it was a real winner.”

Considering people from all over the world came to the event, whether they were entrants or spectators, we’d say “a real winner” is quite accurate. And as we all know, news travels fast. Once word got out that the Arizona Concours d’Elegance had fair, non-political judges, car collectors were lining up to be part of the show. By the time they got to 2017, the event’s third year, they had cars from 21 states and four countries.

“We had some of the most valuable cars in the world showing up on our grass and it was extraordinary,” Stanford reminisced. One of which was a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic. There are only two in the world and one of them was there for everyone to experience at the 2017 show.

“As Ed said, excellent cars, excellent judging and an excellent venue, and we were really well organized, so we could put on an event that came off seamlessly to our participants, our entrants,” Stanford added. “Without great cars, we can’t have a great show.”

But in 2018, right as the event was picking up speed, some unfortunate news threw a wrench in any future plans: the Arizona Biltmore was sold. Winkler and Stanford didn’t want to let the Arizona Concours go, so they began looking long and hard to find the perfect venue to host their flourishing event. However, Covid then delayed this process even further. But finally, they were able to negotiate terms with a new partner and here we are, preparing for the comeback of the Arizona Concours d’Elegance!

“We had some of the most valuable cars in the world showing up on our grass and it was extraordinary,” Stanford reminisced. One of which was a 1936 Bugatti Atlantic. There are only two in the world and one of them was there for everyone to experience at the 2017 show.

While it may have taken longer than anticipated, the partnership with Scottsdale Arts is one that the duo believes will accelerate their event. The combination of automobiles and art is unison that just makes sense, after all, with the meticulous detail that goes into automotive design, it’s an art form in itself that people can appreciate in the same way they can with any other type of art.

“We think we have found an absolutely wonderful partner with Scottsdale Arts because it’s gonna take our event from just a high-level excellent Concours to a real social event. To an event that people will attend who have not historically gone to car shows,” Winkler explains. “Scottsdale Arts will be able to provide that link between the art side of the community and automobiles.”

Even though this year is the Arizona Concours d’Elegance’s big comeback, Winkler and Stanford are already making plans for the future of the event. They want to continue on the legacy that they built during their time at the Biltmore and reproduce what they know and what they know they are capable of to ensure their vision for the Arizona Concours becomes a reality.

“This is not a one-and-done deal,” Winkler says as he reiterates the time and effort that goes into the event. The time and effort, in addition to the money spent and resources used to put on an event of this caliber, are proof that the duo wouldn’t be going into this for just one final lap.

“We want an event that is really reaching for the top that shows elegance in cars at a level that many people don’t understand,” Stanford explains. “To be able to have a beautiful day for people who want to come and spend this day as a lifestyle event, for enthusiasts who want to meet at the very top of the car culture, car designers, car builders, race drivers.”

The theme of the 2023 Arizona Concours d’Elegance event is The Art of Aerodynamics, where the two are planning to showcase an assembly of cars that highlight the development of aerodynamics in automobiles throughout the years. Their goal is to have cars that people have never seen before to ensure this event provides its guests with a worthwhile experience.

These rare vehicles will be judged by a panel of about 50 to 60 judges who will go through a fully operational example of each car, ensuring that it is not only pleasing to the eye but that it’s a functional vehicle as well.

There will be an estimated 100 vehicles there for enthusiasts and non-enthusiasts to enjoy! Tickets for the event are on sale and can be purchased here.

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Luncheon Will Honor Justice Sandra Day O’Connor

PHOENIX, AZ, UNITED STATES, January 9, 2023 /EINPresswire.com/ -- Dr. Anthea Hartig, the first woman to serve as Director of the Smithsonian Institution National Museum of American History, will be the featured speaker for the annual Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy Legacy Luncheon. Smithsonian American Women will be the theme on Wednesday, March 22, 2023, at the Arizona Biltmore in Phoenix. Smithsonian Regent Barbara Barrett, who was the 25th Secretary of the Air Force will conduct a “fireside chat” with Dr. Hartig following the presentation.

Anthea M. Hartig , Ph.D., is the Elizabeth MacMillan Director of the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History and the first woman to hold the position since the museum opened in 1964. Hartig oversees 257 employees, a budget of more than $40 million and a collection that includes 1.8 million objects and more than 3 shelf-miles of archives.

An award-winning public historian and cultural heritage expert, Hartig is dedicated to making the nation’s richly diverse history accessible and relevant. The Smithsonian's National Museum of American History is responsible for the collection, care and preservation of more than three million objects. The collections reflect the breadth, depth and complexity of the experiences of the American people, from social and cultural history to the history of science, medicine and technology.

The luncheon will highlight the book Smithsonian American Women, an inspiring and surprising celebration of U.S. women's history told through Smithsonian artifacts illustrating women's participation in science, art, music, sports, fashion, business, religion, entertainment, military, politics, activism, and more.

Presented by Ladies of the Court, the Women’s Board of the Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American Democracy, the luncheon honors the legacy of Justice Sandra Day O’Connor and supports the civics education, civic engagement and civil discourse programs of the Institute she founded. Carrie Hulburd and Alexa Schneider are luncheon Co-Chairs.

Legacy Luncheon individual seating starts at $250 and guests will receive a complimentary copy of Smithsonian American Women. Tables of 10 and sponsorships are available. For more information, visit www.OConnorInstitute.org or contact the Institute, (602) 730-3300.

About Sandra Day O’Connor Institute for American DemocracyFounded by retired Supreme Court Justice Sandra Day O’Connor, the O’Connor Institute, a nonprofit, nonpartisan 501(c)(3), continues her distinguished legacy and lifetime work to advance American democracy through multigenerational civil discourse, civics education and civic engagement. www.OConnorInstitute.org

Heather Schader Sandra Day O'Connor Institute for American Democracy +1 602-730-3300 heather@oconnorinstitute.org Visit us on social media: Facebook Twitter Instagram YouTube