Conclave features dynamic general sessions and numerous memorable events, offering excellent networking opportunities within the AGS community. Scroll down for daily overviews; full event details and locations will be in the mobile app upon release.
Get ready for an adventure! We’re working on creating local excursions designed to help you explore the best Austin has to offer. Whether immersing yourself in the local culture or enjoying exciting activities, we are planning something special for you.
Don’t miss the fun! Book your arrival for Saturday or early Sunday to make the most of these exciting excursions. More details are coming soon: We’ll announce it in Conclave eNews and in our community’s social media.
New Members: Join us at Conclave for the New Member Reception! It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow newcomers, the AGS International Board of Directors, and our dedicated AGS team.
This is a fantastic way to kick off a very special Conclave, as the American Gem Society is celebrating our 90th anniversary this year! Be the first to join the celebration.
Please note that this event is open for members that joined the community after April 2023.
Join us at the annual Mentor Mixer. Socialize with old friends, connect with fellow industry professionals, and bond with new friends!
You’ll also gain valuable insights into the AGS Mentor Program and learn how you can participate as either a mentor or a mentee.
Want to get a head start and enroll in the program ahead of time? Click here!
There will be appetizers, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
The fun doesn’t stop after the Mentor Mixer, gather with the “Guildies” for the annual Guilds party. The Regional Guilds are members who meet throughout the year in their local area. Guild meetings provide the opportunity to hear from subject matter experts on topics relevant to your career, and they are a great way to meet industry professionals in your area.
During this networking event, learn more about the positive impact that participating in your local Guild can have on your career. Plus, explore starting your own Guild if there isn’t one in your area. You’ll see why the “Guildies” have so much fun together!
There will be appetizers, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
The Young Titleholders (YTs) will offer a day of headshots in the Networking Area during Conclave—for free! So, take advantage of this offer and get a professional photo of yourself.
Keeping with Austin’s theme of “Keep Austin Weird,” the official start of Conclave launches with a delightfully weird opening keynote speaker, Jesse Cole. Jesse is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the Savannah Bananas. This fan-fave team has sold out every game since their first season and has a waitlist for tickets of over 600,000. For more on Jesse, see his bio on the Keynote Speakers page.
Joel Zeff is back as emcee—who better to keep things weird! Helping us celebrate the Society’s 90th anniversary, you’ll hear from Lisa Bridge, CG, President of the AGS International Board of Directors, AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh, RJ, and Jewelers Mutual, the opening keynote sponsor.
Take time for coffee, contemplation, and conversation! The afternoon Coffee and Dessert breaks are a great chance to grab a bite or a cup of coffee and relax while you mingle! Located in the networking area, these breaks give you the opportunity to visit the networking booths and thank your AGS Vendors for their support of Conclave. Have a sweet time recharging before the next session!
This event is a Conclave “gem,” as it features great food, fabulous people, and, most importantly, beautiful jewelry from the very best suppliers in the industry, your fellow AGS members! These pros have been vetted by AGS and work as hard at exceeding their clients’ expectations as you do.
Join us for the AGS Suppliers’ Showcase and Reception for a close-up look at AGS suppliers incredibly beautiful jewelry!
Reception includes buffets, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
Attention Suppliers: Showcasing at the event is a great way to share your products with a captivated audience of AGS members. Click here to learn more.
Ready for something wacky and wonderful? Don’t miss the AGS Young Titleholders Trivia Night! Test your knowledge of anything and everything from gemology to history to one-hit wonders. This annual Conclave good-time is an exhilarating mixture of competition and full-throttle laughter as teams vie for this Trivia Night title. Everyone is welcome!
What will be the location of Conclave 2025? The Chair of the International Conclave Subcommittee, Denise Richards, CGA, will kick off the day with the big reveal!
Enjoy a buffet breakfast and gain valuable insights from our keynote speaker, Mick Ebeling, brought to you by Wells Fargo.
You will also hear from Wells Fargo on the financing program, a program designed with the needs of AGS members and their customers in mind.
For more information, see his bio under Keynote Speakers.
Join us for the Shipley Luncheon, one of the Society’s most time-honored traditions. Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America, is the father of organized gemological research and education in the United States. His vision was to professionalize the jewelry industry through ethics, education, and credentials. AGS and GIA stand as a testament to his success 90 years later. This awards lunch is our way of honoring his legacy.
Since the first award was given in 1968, The Shipley Award has grown to become the most revered recognition in the American Gem Society and our industry.
Be a part of this historic and significant event as the American Gem Society unveils the recipient of the 2024 Robert M. Shipley Award.
Conclave is a fast-paced schedule jammed into three days, so a little break is needed! Located in the networking area, grab a bite of something sweet, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy chatting with other community members. Visit the networking booths and thank your vendors for their support of Conclave. Ask them to tell you how they can assist with your business needs!
You’ve got a night to explore Austin. Where do you begin? Click here to explore all the fabulous things to do, from the music scene to places to eat to who knows what. It’s Austin, so you know there are some great experiences to be had!
Join us for the annual Membership Breakfast as we conduct the Society’s official business. You’ll hear from leadership within the AGS on information important to the AGS community.
Following the Society updates, hear from the keynote speaker Peter Katz. For more information, see his bio under Keynote Speakers.
Join us in recognizing our new and milestone credentialed Society members at the annual Titleholders Luncheon!
Credentials set members apart by demonstrating their commitment to continuing education and superior business ethics. AGS titleholders stand out among other industry jewelers as credentialed professionals.
Hear from Sylvie Di Giusto, an internationally acclaimed speaker, as she explores Modern Emotional Intelligence, guiding audiences to understand perceptions, choose behaviors, and achieve optimal outcomes. For more information, see her bio under Keynote Speakers.
We will also present the Young Titleholder of the Year award and be entertained by Peter Katz.
Java time! Head to the Networking Area, where you can enjoy dessert, meet friends (old and new), and visit the networking booths. It’s a short but sweet opportunity to relax before your next session begins.
Let’s get wonderfully weird! This year’s President’s Party will be entirely unique. There will be games, activation stations, great Austin cuisine, an open bar, a band, and the entire AGS community coming together to celebrate another wonderful Conclave.
Copyright © 2023 American Gem Society
