Conclave 2026

8:00am EDT

Registration Open Rotunda

8:30am EDT

Shuttle to Epcot Theme Park Porte Cochere/Valet Shuttle to Magic Kingdom Theme Park Porte Cochere/Valet

12:30pm EDT

Wild Florida Airboat Adventure (Pre-reserved Excursion) Porte Cochere/Valet

4:30pm EDT

New Member Reception Eagles Edge

5:00pm EDT

Mentor Mixer Eagles Edge

6:00pm EDT

AGS Guilds Party Eagles Edge

6:30am EDT

JFC Rings of Strength Charity 5K Porte Cochere/Valet

7:00am EDT

Registration Open Rotunda

8:30am EDT

Wells Fargo Fast Track International 1

9:00am EDT

A Visit to the Mines of Tajikistan: A Designer's Perspective Olympic ALaurie Reid AI Yourself Calm: Smarter Systems for the Business Behind Your Craft Colonial BMariel Diaz AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Screw Driver & Tweezer Maintenance Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Diamond Minds: Who Shaped Our Understanding of Diamond? Olympic BElizabeth West Frontiers in Colored Stone Origin Research: Jade, Opal, Demantoid, and Peridot Royal Melbourne AAaron Palke, Ph.D. Future-Proofing Your Jewelry Business: Lessons from the 20 Under 40 Congressional AAmanda Gizzi • Baileigh Daoud-Soricelli • Sarah M. Haugaard • Tony Maggio III • Sarah Martin Rowe The Magic Is in the Details: What Jewelry Design Teaches You About Buying, Merchandising, and Building a Collection That Sells Itself Augusta AAndrea Lucille Pooler Introduction to Jewelry Forensics Royal Dublin AJohn Cason • Mike Magee • Al Gilbertson, CG The Microworld of Natural Diamonds Royal Dublin BNathan Renfro

10:00am EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3 The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3 Networking Area Open International 2 & 3

10:30am EDT

AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Modern Watch Timing Equipment: Watch Timers and Their Use Walkway to OscolaJason Ziegenbein Colored Stone Treatments in the 21st Century Royal Melbourne ANicole Ahline Creating Collectors the Crayola Way Augusta AShelly Sergent Recruit Top Jeweler Talent: Connecting AGS Members with top talent from SCAD’s Jewelry Program Congressional BMark Smelzer • Jennifer Markas • Kevin Mays • Eleanor Twiford • Jaimie Vela Selling to Gen Z in 2026: What Actually Works Now Congressional AJen Cullen Williams • Sophie Broussard • Courtney Sivard The New AGS Appraisal and Report Standards Olympic BJoel Hassler, ACGA The New Diamond Horizon: Merchandising & Profit in a K-Shaped World Colonial AGaurav Khandelwal

11:30am EDT

Lunch Buffet Open National Ballroom

12:00pm EDT

Opening Keynote and Lunch National BallroomBen Nemtin

2:00pm EDT

Coffee and Dessert Break International 2 & 3 The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3

2:30pm EDT

Featured Speaker: The Impossible List Workshop: Turn your biggest dreams into actionable next steps. International 1Ben Nemtin AGS Partner Members 101: Making Your Membership Work for You Congressional BBrecken Farnsworth, CG • Lika Behar • Mitchell Clark • Ross Cockerham AI's Next Role in Jewelry Design Royal Melbourne AMike Magee AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Cell Replacement, The Right Way Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Natural Diamonds Have Never Had a Better Story. Is Your Team Telling It? Augusta AGrant Mobley Our Changing Jewelry Industry Colonial AHarold Dupuy, FGA Secret Teachings of a Gem Buyer: Field-Tested Techniques for Unlocking Value in Estate Jewelry Olympic ABert Esterhuysen, CG Selling with Proof: How Digital Storytelling and Provenance Drive Diamond Sales Congressional AMoshe Klein • Mahiar Borhanjoo The Importance of Impactful Signage for Jewelry Stores Colonial BLeslie McGwire (Un)Natural Beauty: Treatments in Ruby & Sapphire Royal Dublin AAaron Palke, Ph.D. The Amazing Natural Diamond Story Royal Dublin BChristopher “Mike” Breeding, Ph.D. • Brenda Harwick

3:30pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

4:00pm EDT

Brand Storytelling Through Experiences Congressional AAnna Samsonova, CG • Fanya Hull • Trisha Kennedy-Thompson • Jen Cullen Williams Casting 101 for Non-Casting Jewelry Professionals Olympic AJoel Meltzer • Silas Morgan From Mine to Market: Using Tech to Sell Gemstones and the Stories Behind Them Augusta AMonica Stephenson • Madeline Fraser From Owner to Legacy Builder: Preparing the Next Generation of Leaders Colonial AStephen Barnes Gem Sciences Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B Increasing Watch Repair Capacity & Profits Congressional BJason Champion • Jason Ziegenbein • Justin Shiver, RJ Organized Retail Crime in 2026: Evolving Threats and Practical Strategies for Luxury Retail Colonial BHoward Stone • Scott Guginsky Recent Advances in Laboratory-Grown Diamond Screening Technologies Olympic BGuy Borenstein The Repair Experience Blueprint: Turning Every Intake Into Lifetime Revenue Augusta B

5:00pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

6:30pm EDT

AGS Suppliers' Showcase and Reception National Ballroom

9:00pm EDT

Trivia Night brought to you by the AGS Young Titleholders Eagles Edge

7:00am EDT

Registration Open Rotunda

8:00am EDT

Breakfast Buffet Open National Ballroom

8:15am EDT

Breakfast and Keynote National BallroomWill Guidara

10:00am EDT

The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3 Networking Area Open International 2 & 3

10:15am EDT

AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Modern Watch Timing Equipment: Watch Timers and Their Use Walkway to OscolaJason Ziegenbein Beyond Bridal: Elevating the Independent Jeweler Experience Congressional BRebecca Boyajian • Mark Klein • Grant Mobley Building the Future – Platinum Education & the Next Generation of Jewelers Congressional AJenny Luker • Jennifer Markas • Joanna Joy Seetoo • Ross Wesdorp Frontiers in Colored Stone Origin Research: Jade, Opal, Demantoid, and Peridot Royal Melbourne AAaron Palke, Ph.D. Legal & Compliance Essentials for Today’s Jewelry Professionals Augusta BLiz Fraccaro, Esq. • Sara Yood, Esq. Luminescence – A Hugely Underrated Physical Property in Gem Testing Olympic AThomas Hainschwang Pure Transparency Colonial BShreyans Dholakia SMS Marketing: The What, Why, & How for Jewelers Augusta ARhett Tingey The Anti-AI Playbook: Scaling With AI Without Losing Your Brand or Designs Colonial AMadeline Fraser Introduction to Jewelry Forensics Royal Dublin AJohn Cason • Mike Magee • Al Gilbertson, CG Making the Call - Check List of the Defining Features of the major US jewelry periods from 1850-1950: A Systematic approach Olympic BStarla Turner • Suzanne Martinez The Amazing Natural Diamond Story Royal Dublin BChristopher “Mike” Breeding, Ph.D. • Brenda Harwick

11:15am EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

11:45am EDT

Featured Speaker: AI and the Future of Everything International 1Dan Chuparkoff AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Quartz Testers: How and Why Walkway to OscolaJason Champion Future Legends Congressional ANicole Ahline • Christopher “Mike” Breeding, Ph.D. • Aaron Palke, Ph.D. • Nathan Renfro • Evan Smith, Ph.D. Natural Carat Crushers Congressional BJessica Gylsen • Mitchell Clark • Jessica Harminson-Olson • Brian Toone Sculptures of Light: The Artistry of Contrast in Fancy-Shaped Diamonds Royal Melbourne AAmanda Hawkes, CG • Lisa Kennedy The Art of Intentional Merchandising: Turning Product Into Story, Structure, and Sell-Through Colonial BNan Lung Palmer The Leader You Imagined You'd Be and the One Your Business Actually Needs Colonial AAndrea Lucille Pooler The New AGS Appraisal and Report Standards Olympic AJoel Hassler, ACGA Turning Losses Into Wins: What 25 Years of Building Companies Taught Me About Independent Retail Augusta BVal Katayev

12:45pm EDT

Quick Break International 2 & 3

1:00pm EDT

Robert M. Shipley Award® Luncheon National Ballroom

2:30pm EDT

Coffee and Dessert Break International 2 & 3 The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3

3:00pm EDT

Featured Speaker: AI and the Future of Everything International 1Dan Chuparkoff Agentic AI: When Your Digital Assistant Starts Running the Store Colonial ARoss Cockerham Attracting the Sustainable Shopper with an Impact-Driven Business Model Congressional BSusan Wheeler • Emily Phillippy • Monica Stephenson AWCI Mobile Classroom: Workshop: Water Resistance: Wet and Dry Methods Walkway to OscolaJason Ziegenbein Build Your Diamond Story: A Workshop for Modern Retailers Augusta BMadison Harvey • Constance Polamalu Colored Gem Grading and Pricing Workshop Olympic BRichard Drucker Edit to Grow: The Discipline Behind Profitable Jewelry Assortments from Concept to Retail Colonial BNan Lung Palmer From Custom Chaos to Scalable Revenue: Fixing the Custom Jewelry Sales Process Augusta AMadeline Fraser Membership Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B The Future of Fine Jewelry: What’s Changing, What’s Enduring, and What Actually Matters Congressional AJodi Riesenberg • Lana Boutros • Alexis Padis • Nadine Tacorian • Paul Tacorian The Impact of Fluorescence on Diamond Appearance Royal Melbourne AChristopher “Mike” Breeding, Ph.D. What Every Jeweler Should Know About Precious Metals Metallurgy Olympic AJoel Meltzer • Silas Morgan Speaking the Pearl Language Royal Dublin BTao Hsu, Ph.D. • Lisa Kennedy The Microworld of Natural Diamonds Royal Dublin ANathan Renfro

4:00pm EDT

Networking Break International 2 & 3

4:30pm EDT

AI's Next Role in Jewelry Design Royal Melbourne AMike Magee Colored Gem Grading and Pricing Workshop Olympic BRichard Drucker Designing Jewelry for Casting Success – From Concept to CAD to Efficient Finishing Olympic AJoel Meltzer • Silas Morgan From Zero to Watch Repair: Building a Successful Watch Repair Department Congressional BJason Champion • Jason Ziegenbein • Justin Shiver, RJ Jewelry Interior Design is Rising to the Challenge of Current Customer Demands Colonial BLeslie McGwire Organized Retail Crime in 2026: Evolving Threats and Practical Strategies for Luxury Retail Colonial AHoward Stone • Scott Guginsky Seamless Selling: Where Brands Meet Retail Congressional AStephanie Major • Manos Phoundoulakis • Kelly Selcer • Nikki Swift The Fridge, the Palace, and the Diamond Machine: The Story Behind the Creation of Synthetic Diamonds Augusta AElizabeth West Turning Maybe Into a Same-Day Yes Augusta BDavid Berdugo Young Titleholders Committee Meeting Royal Melbourne B

5:00pm EDT

Disney Springs Free Night Adventure Porte Cochere/Valet

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

The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3 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: Sparking Creativity: A Discussion 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 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 • Adam Funk • Joshua Israileff, RS • Sara Yood, Esq. 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 Is the Devil in the Details? Appraisals & AI Olympic BMona Miller Old School Selling in a New School World Congressional BAdam Graham, RS • Maria Brown • Kristin Milne, G.G. • Michael Schechter The Edge User Group: Recent Enhancements, Real-World Use, and What’s Coming Next Colonial BJames Krochko

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 The ASSURE Expo of Diamond Verification Instruments International Ballroom 2 & 3

3:00pm EDT

Featured Speaker: A Facilitated Conversation with 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, CGA, 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 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 • Elyssa Jenkins-Perez • Becka Johnson Kibby • Alexis Padis • Denise Richards

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, CGA, JEA • Mike West, ACGA How to Boss 2.0 Congressional ASara Yood, Esq. • Lisa Bridge, CG • Annie Doresca • Jenny Luker • 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 BJason Champion • Jason Ziegenbein • Justin Shiver, RJ The Making of a Collector Olympic AShelly Sergent

7:00pm EDT

President's Party National Ballroom