Conclave 2026

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7:00am EDT

Registration Open Rotunda

8:00am EDT

Breakfast Buffet Open National Ballroom

8:30am EDT

Breakfast and Keynote National BallroomDeanna Marsigliese

10:00am EDT

Networking Area Open International 2 & 3

10:30am EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3 (Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire Royal Dublin AAaron Palke, Ph.D. Speaking the Pearl Language Royal Dublin BTao Hsu, Ph.D. • Lisa Kennedy

11:00am EDT

Featured Speaker: Deanna Marsigliese International 1Deanna Marsigliese AEO Is the New SEO: How AI Bots Are Sending Customers to Your Store Right Now Augusta ARoss Cockerham AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Cell Replacement, The Right Way Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Change is Inevitable. Growth is Optional. Colonial AAbe Sherman Credentials, Experience & AI: Appraising in Today’s World Olympic BMona Miller Fancy Clarity: For Exceptionally Rare and Desirable Inclusions Royal Melbourne AEvan Smith, Ph.D. • Jason Quick From Overseas to Your Counter: How Tariffs Really Impact Your Jewelry Business Congressional AAnna Samsonova, CG Guilds Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B If You’re Not Having Fun, You’re Doing It Wrong Augusta BJim Siegel, CGA • Aleah Arundale • Jaron Siegel Old School Selling in a New School World Congressional BAdam Graham, RS The Edge User Group: Recent Enhancements, Real-World Use, and What’s Coming Next Colonial BLenny Prion

12:00pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

12:30pm EDT

Lunch Buffet Open National Ballroom

1:00pm EDT

Titleholders Luncheon National BallroomDavid Kwong

2:30pm EDT

Coffee and Dessert Break International 2 & 3

3:00pm EDT

Featured Speaker: David Kwong International 1David Kwong AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Water Resistance: Wet and Dry Methods Walkway to OscolaJason Ziegenbein Communication in the Jewelry Appraisal Process: Soft Skills for Difficult Conversations Congressional AJoel Hassler, ACGA • Randall Lightfoot, CG, JEA • Andrea Venn, Ph.D., CGA, JEA • Mike West, ACGA Coordinating Your Store's Display and Sales Strategies to Make Your Staff More Effective Augusta BLarry Johnson Education Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B From Instinct to Intelligence: Building a Data-Driven Culture in Your Jewelry Business Colonial AElle Hill Luminescence – A Hugely Underrated Physical Property in Gem Testing Olympic AThomas Hainschwang Metals Market Outlook – Trends, Turbulence & Opportunities Colonial BKevin Reilly Not All AI is Created Equal Augusta AJordan Freeman Sculptures of Light: The Artistry of Contrast in Fancy-Shaped Diamonds Royal Melbourne AAmanda Hawkes, CG • Lisa Kennedy Underappreciated Gemstones Olympic BIsabelle Corvin, CG Women in Leadership: The Real Balancing Act Without Burnout Congressional BJen Cullen Williams

4:00pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

4:30pm EDT

AI in Action: Solving Real Business Problems—Together Augusta AJordan Freeman Colored Stone Treatments in the 21st Century Royal Melbourne ANicole Ahline Finish Well: How to Build a Jewelry Business Someone Actually Wants to Buy Colonial BMariel Diaz From GG to Appraiser: Bridging the Gap Between Gemology & Appraising Olympic BRandall Lightfoot, CG, JEA • Mike West, ACGA How to Boss 2.0 Congressional ASara Yood, Esq. • Lisa Bridge, CG • Monica Stephenson Selling With Purpose: Controlling the Narrative at the Counter Augusta BDavid Mazer, CG Take-in Pointers for Front of Store Watch Repair Take-in Congressional BJustin Shiver, RJ • Jason Champion • Jason Ziegenbein The Making of a Collector Olympic AShelly Sergent

7:00pm EDT

President's Party National Ballroom