Press Releases

American Gem Society Accepting RFPs for Breakout Speakers at Conclave 2021

It will be on April 26–28, 2021.

Published

5 years ago

July 22, 2020

INSTORE Staff

(PRESS RELEASE) LAS VEGAS — The American Gem Society (AGS) is now accepting Requests for Proposals (RFPs) to present at the annual Conclave in Louisville, KY, April 26–28, 2021.

The AGS is looking for presenters on a variety of topics:

Appraising
Business management
Ethics
Gemology
In-store events
Retail innovation
Diversity
Marketing and sales
Security
Sourcing
Succession planning
Sustainability
Technology
Human resources

Conclave will feature panel discussions, insider insights, and sessions for varying educational levels (i.e., beginner, intermediate, advanced), and hands-on classes. AGS is seeking to incorporate timely topics on issues relevant to the jewelry industry, such as crisis management, AML, diversity training, laboratory-grown diamonds, retail innovation, and consumer buying behaviors.

“Conclave is a continued success because of the diverse and timely range of topics offered. That foundation has helped make it the most trusted source of information on gemology and business in our industry,” said Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “This diversity ensures that our attendees will have an enriching and unforgettable learning experience.”

RFPs can be completed online at ags.org/rfp.

Please submit your speaker Request for Proposal by September 6, 2020. Each submission will be reviewed, and you will be notified by November 16, 2020, on the status of your submission.

If you have any questions, contact the Experience team at experience@ags.org. Please note, to be considered as a presenter for Conclave 2021, an RFP is required. RFPs submitted after the deadline will not be considered for inclusion at Conclave 2021. AGS also uses RFPs to select future articles for the quarterly Spectra and the monthly Spectra Update, webinars and video content for the upcoming year.

The American Gem Society understands that some interested in presenting at Conclave may have concerns about the state of travel next April. AGS recommends submitting an RFP and the Society will work with speakers and be as flexible as possible if the situation should warrant any changes.

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After 45 years serving the Milwaukee community, Treiber & Straub Jewelers owner Michael Straub faced a significant life transition. At 75, the veteran jeweler made a personal decision many business owners understand: "I think it's time. I want to enjoy my wife with my grandchildren for the next 10, 15 years." Wilkerson's expertise transformed this major business transition into an extraordinary success. Their comprehensive approach to managing the going-out-of-business sale created unprecedented customer response—with lines forming outside the store and limits on how many shoppers could enter at once due to fire safety regulations. The results exceeded all expectations. "Wilkerson did a phenomenal job," Straub enthuses. "They were there for you through the whole thing, helped you with promoting it, helping you on day-to-day business. I can't speak enough for how well they did." The partnership didn't just facilitate a business closing; it created a celebratory finale to decades of service while allowing Straub to confidently step into his well-earned retirement.