(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS – The American Gem Society (AGS) has canceled the annual Circle of Distinction Dinner, due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The event would have taken place on Tuesday, July 28 at the Plaza Hotel in New York City.
The Society evaluated the viability of holding the event during the summer and made the decision to cancel out of concern for the health and safety of the attendees.
“We will miss celebrating at the historic Plaza with all of our friends in the AGS community and the industry, but we look forward to next year” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of the American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories. “Based on health and travel guidance regarding COVID-19, cancelling is the right thing to do.”
This will mark only the second time the Society has canceled the Circle of Distinction Dinner, which began in 2000. The first time was in 2009 due to the economic recession.
The Circle of Distinction is held annually to honor excellence in the jewelry industry. The Lifetime Achievement and AGS Triple Zero awards presented during the dinner are among the most coveted in the industry. The American Gem Society is moving forward, as planned, with the 2021 Circle of Distinction Dinner and will announce the dates and honors next spring.
Ready to Relocate? Wilkerson Makes Your Move Seamless
When Brockhaus Jewelry decided to leave their longtime West Main Street storefront for a standalone building elsewhere in Norman, Oklahoma, owners John Brockhaus and Brad Shipman faced a familiar challenge: how to efficiently reduce inventory before the big move. Their solution? Partnering with liquidation specialists Wilkerson for a second time.
"We'd already experienced Wilkerson's professionalism during a previous sale," Shipman recalls. "But their approach to our relocation event truly impressed us. They strategically prioritized our existing pieces while tactfully introducing complementary merchandise as inventory levels decreased." The carefully orchestrated sale didn't just meet targets—it shattered them.
Asked if they'd endorse Wilkerson to industry colleagues planning similar transitions—whether relocating, retiring, or refreshing their space—both partners were emphatic in their approval. "The entire process was remarkably straightforward," Shipman notes. "Wilkerson delivered a well-structured program, paired us with a knowledgeable advisor, and managed every detail flawlessly from concept to completion."
