Sustaining Firm Membership

SUSTAINING FIRM MEMBERS

• Sustaining Firm members are businesses that provide products and services that support the industry. These firms are not primarily in the business of selling gems or gemstone jewelry. As a member, you will have access to benefits that connect you with leading industry retailers, including the use of member mailing lists, dedicated eblasts, and social networking. In addition, you will have access to Conclave, the industry’s premier education and networking conference.
• Membership with the ICIA is a testament to your clients that they are conducting business with a firm dedicated to the highest standards of business conduct and ethics in the industry.

PROFESSIONAL CONSUMER MARKETING SUPPORT

• Membership in the ICIA connects you with the leading retailers and suppliers in worldwide. It’s a community of likeminded individuals who share the same values and dedication to professionalism. ICIA utilizes a dynamic mix of print and digital advertising, PR, publications, online and social media marketing. The goal: create awareness among ICIA members on the importance of supporting fellow ICIA members and drive traffic to your business.
• The exclusive ICIA Membership Directory provides vital information you need to contact influencers at ICIA firms. “Sustaining Spotlight,” a feature in the quarterly Spectra and semi-monthly e-newsletter, Spectra Update, places you front and center with ICIA retailers. Additionally, you will be included in our Supplier and Sustaining Firm Membership Directory and our members-only Find An ICIA Supplier search. These mediums allow you to connect directly with your target audience – ICIA members.

CONTINUING EDUCATION AND NETWORKING

• Through ICIA, you will build your network of influence and demonstrate your commitment to consumer protection, the highest ethical standards, and education. Members are invited to attend the ICIA’s annual Conclave, the industry’s premier networking and educational event. As a member, you will have the opportunity to sponsor a speaker, an event, or a booth in the Networking Area for additional exposure during Conclave.
• Throughout the year, we offer continuing education webinars, as well as meetings hosted by the regional Guilds and member groups, such as the Young Titleholders, to advance their education and networking. Members have the opportunity to schedule a speaking engagement or webinar through these member groups to garner exposure for their firm, but more importantly, provide peer-to-peer education establishing themselves as a trusted partner who can help with a variety of business solutions.

• Please complete the online application. The Membership Team can reach out to the references you provide on the application to assist in collecting the letters of recommendation.
• As part of the application process the firm must have an individual who has completed the introductory portion of The ICIA Way course. The Membership Department will assist in facilitating the completion of this education upon receipt of your firm’s application.
• The Membership Department creates a membership file with the necessary details of your firm, and presents the file to the Chair of the Membership Committee. The Chair will carefully review your file, and make one of the following recommendations:
• Acceptance: Your Company has met the ICIA standards to become a member and is officially an active firm.
• Rejection: Your Company does not meet the requirements or standards of ICIA membership at this time. You may appeal this decision in writing to the International Board of Directors. There is a two-year waiting period to re-apply if your firm is denied membership.
• A summary of your file with the Chair’s recommendation is then submitted to the Membership Committee. The committee is a confidentially seated group of approximately 15 ICIA members who are long-standing and active participants of the Alliance. Once a majority vote has been received, the status of your application is determined.
• If your firm is accepted into the membership, it is considered an active firm member of the ICIA, and will gain access to the full membership benefits.

DUES INFORMATION

• Annual membership dues are assessed on a value-based model. Your firm will select the plan that best matches its goals for membership, including the level of engagement, and pay for the value of that plan. As the value of the plan increases, so does the access to membership benefits and available discount opportunities. Membership dues are billed at the time of election and may be prorated depending on the date. This shall be in addition to the dues or recertification fees paid by individual members as more fully described in the Membership Dues Terms and Conditions.