New York, NY – Oct. 10, 2018. The Cultured Pearl Association of America (CPAA) announces today that it is offering Affiliate memberships for $299—a savings of $200—to 50 individuals for a limited time. In addition to the discounted membership, new Affiliate members will be able to lock in this renewal rate for life. Retailers, in particular, are expected to reap many of the prime benefits of membership.

Tahitian pearl image courtesy the Tahitian Pearl
Producer’s Association of French Polynesia

From now through October 31, discounted access to a CPAA membership includes:

• Proprietary and internationally pearl-producer-vetted online pearl education called Pearls As One (org) that will certify that members and staffers have expert knowledge in cultured pearls;
• Stock illustrations and photography;
• Monthly social media promotion on the CPAA feeds;
• The opportunity to be featured on social media in live at-trade-show coverage through Facebook and Instagram Live;
• Outreach to the media;
• The ability to participate in annual press day;
• Original content on the CPAA website and the ability to be featured;
• A listing in the online directory and in the soon-to-be-created online catalog of members;
• The ability to participate in CPAA-organized influencer contests on social media;
• Discounts on orders of proprietary pearl-specific promotional merchandise;
• Discounts on entries to the Annual International Pearl Design Competition (IPDC).

“The CPAA has been friendly and welcoming and has introduced me to many potential clients and connections,” says Nick Deng, a Foundation member and the founder of SF Pearl & Jewelry and EPearlFarm.com.

Current members may also be eligible to lock in the $299 renewal rate for life by renewing memberships now. Members can contact CPAA Executive Director Jennifer Heebner at JHeebner@cpaa.org to discuss.

“The CPAA is excited about the continued growth of offerings, and we want to encourage more jewelry store owners to take advantage of the benefits,” says Aziz Basalely, CPAA president and the owner of Eliko Pearl.