Almost a year after a devastating three-alarm fire broke out at Jewelers Center® in Chicago, Illinois, Jewelers Mutual Insurance Group gathered jewelers and industry members to honor and celebrate the Chicago jewelry community and its resiliency, and to share advice and successes on how to move forward in business after such an event.
The celebratory luncheon and loss prevention panel discussion, which took place March 6th at the post-fire renovated Jewelers Center, featured Jewelers Mutual experts, a loss prevention specialist, a jeweler and members of the Chicago Fire Department.
Panelists discussed ways jewelers should prepare for the unexpected, such as keeping proper inventory, making sure they have adequate coverage, using a safe or vault, creating an evacuation plan, and preparing a business continuity plan – all in an effort to help jewelers feel more confident about their future safety.
“We wanted to do something to mark this industry’s ability to bounce back from an experience like the Jewelers Center fire, which affected more than 200 jewelers to varying degrees. Events like this impact the entire industry and bring us all together as a community,” said Scott Murphy, Jewelers Mutual president and chief executive officer. “Such tragedies also allow us all to evaluate what we are doing to protect our businesses and how we can better shield and grow them in ways that will allow us all to thrive for years to come. Today, was about rekindling relationships, and connecting, learning and growing together.”
Attendees were able to listen to jewelers recount their experiences post-fire, learn essential tips from loss prevention experts as well from the Chicago Fire Department, and make connections and strengthen relationships with others in the industry.
“The fire was absolutely devastating to my business and many others in the building,” said Mark Engel, owner of Pro Gems Jewelers, one of the jewelry businesses affected by the fire and a panelist at the event. “I’ve always known there are unique challenges involved with running a jewelry business, but connecting with others and learning more about how to run our businesses safely, securely and effectively was fantastic.”
With more than 100 years of dedication to the jewelry industry, Jewelers Mutual continues to provide expert advice and support to the businesses they serve. Jewelers throughout the United States and Canada welcome the unique approach Jewelers Mutual and its strong agency force provides to learn about their business, understand their challenges and develop customized risk management solutions that allow them to run safe, secure and successful businesses.
About Jewelers Mutual Group
The Jewelers Mutual Group companies, which are dedicated solely to serving the jewelry industry in the United States and Canada, began in 1913 when a group of Wisconsin jewelers came together to meet their unique insurance needs. Today, the Group’s companies remain the trusted insurance advisor and loss-prevention expert for jewelry retailers large and small, wholesalers, manufacturers, custom designers, and appraisers — and for consumers who protect their personal jewelry and the special moments it represents. For more information, please visit www.jewelersmutual.com.
