Last week, Mike and I returned from Washington, DC where we attended the Independant Jewelers Organization(IJO) meeting. This meeting we were awarded our 10 year pins.  It's hard for me to believe that we've been members of this great organization for 10 years!  IJO members meet two times a year in different cities across the United States.  The stores that represent the membership vary in size, sales volume and demographics.  With almost 800 store members and several hundred vendor members it's a diverse group of people, aptitudes and attitudes.  But one thing is definately in common.  Everyone attending loves to learn. It's a joy to gather with friends and discuss what's hot in the industry, how to handle difficult situations with employees and clients and how to improve procedures in the repair shop.  Ten years ago, Mike and I decided that our goal for each meeting would be to take home one great idea and implement that idea.  Over the years we have watched our business grow and improve because of our affiliation with IJO. Last year, Occasions was voted "BEST FAMILY DIAMOND STORE IN AMERICA" by IJO.   But there's more to it than that.  It's the friendships that we have formed that has been the reward. It truly is a family.  If I need anything my IJO friends are there. That network also is beneficial for the clients of Occasions as we have at our fingertips a network of jewelers for referral across the country.