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.
New to AGS? Start Conclave here.
Join us for the New Member Reception—a relaxed, welcoming event designed to help you meet other new members, connect with the AGS International Board of Directors, and get to know the AGS team. It’s an easy, enjoyable way to jump into Conclave and start building your community right away.
After the reception, keep the connections going at the Mentor Mixer and the annual Guilds Party for even more networking and fun.
We can’t wait to welcome you!
Eligibility: Open to members who joined the AGS community after April 2024.
“The delicate balance of mentoring someone is not creating them in your own image, but giving them the opportunity to create themselves.”– Steven Spielberg
Kickstart your Conclave 2026 experience by joining us at the annual Mentor Mixer. It’s the perfect occasion to socialize with old friends, connect with fellow industry professionals, and bond with new friends!
You’ll also gain valuable insights into the AGS Mentoring 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!
Join us! There will be appetizers, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
The fun doesn’t stop after the Mentor Mixer. Keep it going at the annual Guilds party with the “Guildies”!
Guilds are regional member groups that connect throughout the year in local communities. The meetings feature subject-matter experts on career-relevant topics and are an easy, engaging way to meet other jewelry professionals nearby.
At the party, you’ll learn how getting involved can support your career and business, and how to start a group if there isn’t one in your area. Come see why the “Guildies” have so much fun together!
Rings of Strength has helped raise over $420,000 for JFC, and in 2026, they will be holding their premier event in two cities, including Orlando, FL at Conclave. Each event features a 5K route that you can walk, jog, or run—whatever you desire!
Start the first day of Conclave 2026 on the right foot (or the left) and help raise money for children in need.
Registration is available on a first come, first served basis to Retail Firm members only. Maximum registration of 200 attendees. To register, add “Financing Fast Track” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Contact [email protected] to add the session to your registration.
Spend the morning with your Wells Fargo Consumer Financing Team and rock your financing program! This engaging two-hour program kicks off with breakfast, then heads into micro sessions geared towards helping you get the most out of the AGS Credit Card Program, including practical advice and easy-to-implement tactics. Plus, firms who attend the full program will receive $1,200 per firm in travel reimbursement.* Your firm does not need to be enrolled in the AGS Credit Card Program to attend.
*The travel reimbursement will be awarded to firms who check in and attend the full Fast Track program on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, as reported by Wells Fargo, and is limited to the first 100 firms that register for the Financing Fast Track program. For program merchants, Wells Fargo will direct deposit the reimbursement. For non-program merchants, the American Gem Society will reimburse via check payable to the primary firm member of record. Checks required to be reissued due to incorrect information associated with the primary firm member of record shall be subject to a fee of $25 to be deducted from the reissued payment. All reimbursements will be issued approximately 45 days following Conclave 2026.
Ben Nemtin kicks off Conclave 2026! Ben is an acclaimed keynote speaker who has energized Fortune 100 leadership teams and major conferences worldwide—including AIG, Amazon, FedEx, Harvard, Microsoft, and Verizon—and was ranked the 3rd Best Motivational Speaker in the World by Global Gurus in 2022.
In his keynotes, Ben shares powerful, practical strategies for building resilient, high-performing cultures through purpose, courage, and meaningful connection—showing how small actions can create momentum, unlock potential, and inspire teams to take on what feels impossible. Drawing from his own journey after facing depression in college, Ben and three friends created a bucket list and crisscrossed North America in a rickety RV, achieving their dreams while helping strangers do the same—an inspiring story that continues to motivate millions to thrive personally and professionally. For more information, see his bio under Keynote Speakers.
Guess who is back as emcee? That’s right: Joel Zeff! You’ll also hear from Alexis Padis, CGA, JEA, Past President of the AGS International Board of Directors, as well as newly elected President, Bryan Moeller, CGA; AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh, RJ; and Scott Murphy, CEO of Jewelers Mutual® Group, 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 Partner for their support of Conclave. Have a sweet time recharging before the next session!
Conclave’s best kind of sparkle is happening here.
The AGS Suppliers’ Showcase and Reception is your chance to mix, mingle, and get a first look at breathtaking jewelry from the industry’s most trusted suppliers—your fellow AGS members. Every supplier in the room has been vetted by AGS and brings the same mindset you do: quality without compromise, service that delivers, and pieces that sell.
Come for the bites and cocktails. Stay for the connections, the inspiration, and the jewelry you’ll still be thinking about long after the night ends.
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 and enroll today.
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 mix of competition and full-throttle laughter as teams vie for the Trivia Night title. Everyone is welcome!
We have a great way to start Day 2: with the morning general session!
Amanda Coleman-Phelps, CGA, Chair of the International Guild Council, will present the Sallie Morton and Guild of the Year Awards. Following that, you’ll hear from the Chair of the International Conclave Subcommittee, Denise Richards, CGA, who will discuss Conclave 2027.
Enjoy a buffet breakfast and be energized by our keynote speaker, Will Guidara.
Will is the author of the New York Times bestselling Unreasonable Hospitality, which shares the lessons in service and leadership he’s learned throughout his career in restaurants, including as former co-owner of Eleven Madison Park—an acclaimed destination that earned four stars from The New York Times, three Michelin stars, and was named #1 on the World’s 50 Best Restaurants list in 2017.
He also hosts the Welcome Conference, an annual hospitality symposium that brings together like-minded people to connect, share ideas, and build community. Will is a Cornell hospitality graduate, coauthor of four cookbooks, a Crain’s New York Business 40 Under 40 honoree, and a recipient of a WSJ. Innovator Award from WSJ. Magazine.
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 (AGS) and GIA (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 testaments 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 Robert M. 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 2026 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 AGS members. Visit the networking booths and thank your AGS Partners for their support of Conclave. Ask them to tell you how they can assist with your business needs!
Looking for plans during your free night? Join us for an easy, care-free evening at Disney Springs—Orlando’s premier destination for shopping, dining, and entertainment.
This optional add-on includes round-trip shuttle transportation from the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate to Disney Springs, giving you the freedom to explore at your own pace. Enjoy everything from quick bites and casual dining to fine dining experiences, live entertainment, and world-class shopping.
What’s included:
Please note:
Cost: $65 per person (round trip)
You’ve got a night to explore Orlando. 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 Orlando, so you know there is magic in the night!
The last day of Conclave starts off strong with a buffet breakfast and time to mingle with friends before the program kicks off promptly at 8:30.
First, you will hear from Bryan Moeller, CGA, President of the AGS International Board of Directors, as well as get a “State of the AGS” update from AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh, RJ, who will also present the John J. Kennedy Award.
Then it’s time for the keynote, and this is where the magic happens:
Deanna Marsigliese is an Italian-Canadian art director, character designer, and 2D animator based in San Francisco who has worked at Pixar Animation Studios since 2012, contributing to films such as Luca, Soul, Onward, Toy Story 4, Incredibles II, Bao, Inside Out, and The Good Dinosaur, with her creative process also featured in the Disney+ documentary series Inside Pixar.
Most recently, she designed the characters Anxiety and Ennui for Pixar’s record-breaking Inside Out 2 (2024) and has contributed new characters to the Toy Story franchise ahead of its next installment in 2026, while currently conceptualizing additional projects in development. A two-time Annie Award nominee and Academy member, Marsigliese is also a dedicated educator who has written and directed Pixar’s art internship programs, piloted courses at Pixar University and The Walt Disney Family Museum, and previously served as Professor of Classical Animation at Seneca College in Toronto, in addition to delivering keynotes and workshops worldwide and headlining major events such as SXSW, D23, and LightBox Expo.
A vintage fashion enthusiast with a love of bold costume jewelry, she often finds inspiration while traveling the world with a surprisingly small backpack.
For more information, see her bio under Keynote Speakers.
Join us in recognizing our new and milestone credentialed members of the Society at the annual Titleholders Luncheon!
AGS credentials set members apart by demonstrating their commitment to continuing education and superior business ethics.
We will also present the Young Titleholder of the Year award, a prestigious honor for one of the Society’s emerging leaders.
As a special treat, enjoy a quick, 45-minute keynote presentation by David Kwong.
Magician and New York Times Crossword constructor David Kwong has delighted audiences worldwide with his signature blend of illusion and puzzles, and as a TED Talk favorite, he regularly speaks to companies on the science of why our brains are fooled and how perception shapes decision-making. He served as head magic consultant for the global hit Now You See Me, and his acclaimed one-man show, The Enigmatist, has sold out in New York, Los Angeles, Chicago, and Washington, D.C.
Drawing from his book Spellbound: Seven Principles of Illusion to Captivate Audiences and Unlock the Secrets of Success, David delivers entertaining, insight-packed keynotes on illusion, influence, persuasion, and getting a step ahead—and also designs custom team-building puzzle experiences for organizations.
For more information, see David’s bio under Keynote Speakers.
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.
This is how Conclave ends—great food, an open bar, and live entertainment that’ll have you begging for just one more song. Dress as your favorite Disney or Universal character and make it your moment to get creative, snap plenty of photos, and celebrate the magic of your AGS community. Whether you’re dancing, chatting, or just soaking in the fun, the President’s Party is the perfect way to wrap up a Conclave that will surely go down in AGS history.
“After days of immersive education and left-brain work, AGS Conclave’s President Party is the perfect right-brain release. It’s always a uniquely themed soirée filled with experiential moments, genuine laughter, and spirited networking that captures all the joy and camaraderie of a conference you never want to end.”
-Jen Cullen Williams
Jen Cullen Williams Consulting, LLC
