11 June 2007

Nevada Governor, Las Vegas Mayor Welcome World Jewelry Center During JCK Las Vegas Show

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

While thousands of visitors at the JCK Las Vegas Show got better acquainted with the World Jewelry Center (WJC), Nevada Governor Jim Gibbons and Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman took the opportunity to publicly welcome the WJC and express their support for the expansion of the jewelry industry in southern Nevada.

In his remarks as the guest of honor for the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association's 23rd Annual Gala Awards Night on June 2 at the Venetian Hotel, Gibbons said, "The WJC that is being developed by [Probity International Corp. President & CEO] Robert Zarnegin is a wonderful idea to bring more economic diversity [to Las Vegas and Nevada]. So welcome to the state of Nevada."

Gibbons also described some of the key benefits of owning a business in Nevada, such as no corporate income tax, no personal income tax, no franchise tax, and no gift tax. He added, "From the standpoint of doing business, this is the best state to be in."

During a press conference for the jewelry trade media on May 31 at the Mirage Hotel, Las Vegas Mayor Oscar Goodman similarly praised the WJC as an important vehicle for adding variety to the city's business environment. Goodman has long advocated such diversification. He pledged his complete support for the WJC and said the glamour and excitement of Las Vegas make it the perfect fit for the jewelry industry.

On June 1, an overflow crowd in the Venetian Hotel's Marcello Ballroom heard WJC Managing Director Bill Boyajian share the vision of the World Jewelry Center and explain its key features and benefits.

"The response we received during the JCK Show was amazing," said Boyajian. "Between our full schedule of presentations and the many personal appointments that our entire team conducted, there's no doubt that the momentum we have experienced in recent months is continuing, and the industry-wide interest in our visionary project remains high. We are reaching the ‘tipping point' in the project, and that is most gratifying."

"We received dozens of requests to reserve space in the office tower," he added. "Our major priority right now is to be able to adequately respond to all the inquiries we are getting."