Today’s jewelry professionals are navigating a dynamic landscape that extends far beyond the showroom floor. Converge’s Business Management sessions are designed to equip you with tools to stay competitive and resilient—from understanding consumer financing and sustainable practices to unraveling complex global trade policies. These sessions bring together experts who will help you interpret and respond to today’s biggest business disruptors and opportunities.
Visit ConvergeEvent.com to view the full listing of breakout sessions and events, September 7–10, 2025, in Carlsbad, CA!
Unlock Your Store’s Growth Potential: How Consumer Financing Helps Jewelry Retailers Supercharge Success
Speakers: Amanda Howe, Jeff Masser, and Leslie Routson, Wells Fargo Retail Services
- Monday, September 8, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. PT
- Tuesday, September 9, 4:00 p.m.–5:00 p.m. PT
As consumer spending habits shift, shoppers are opting for increased financing options and the ability to cashflow purchases over time. This session will dive into the opportunity found with consumer financing. Retailers will learn why offering in-store financing is a strategy that can set you apart in an industry with a competitive marketplace and savvy shoppers.
By understanding and implementing financing solutions especially designed for your store, you will serve more customers in new ways: increasing sales, expanding your customer base, and turning browsers into buyers. Join us to discover how the specially curated AGS consumer finance program can help you seamlessly integrate financing solutions and drive revenue growth in your store.
Sparkling Sustainability: How Natural Diamonds Are Shaping a Responsible World
Speaker: Shreyans Dholakia, Shree Ramkrishna Exports Pvt.Ltd. (SRK)
- Tuesday, September 9, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m. PT
This session will address how the natural diamond industry is embracing sustainability, from mines to markets. Companies are investing in community development and building trust through transparency in the supply chain and sustainable practices. The natural diamond industry is proving that luxury and environmental responsibility aren’t mutually exclusive, and innovation is driving measurable environmental and social impact across the diamond value chain.
And Now for the Good News!
Speaker: Brandee Dallow, Grandview Klein Diamond Group
- Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 10:30 a.m.–11:30 a.m.
In an industry often focused on challenges like unsafe labor in mining, environmental harm, mercury use in mining, and supply chain opacity, it’s easy to overlook the positive strides being made. But make no mistake: there is good news.
This session will highlight groundbreaking initiatives and success stories from across the global jewelry industry that are transforming these challenges into opportunities for sustainable development, ethical sourcing, and community empowerment. From mercury-free gold initiatives that protect miners and ecosystems to diamond and gemstone sourcing models that drive community growth, and technology-driven solutions that enhance transparency, this session showcases the inspiring progress happening right now.
Gold, Gems, and Global Headwinds: Trade and Tariffs in Focus
Speaker: Sara Yood, Esq., Jewelers Vigilance Committee
- Wednesday, September 10, 2025, 12:00 p.m.-1:00 p.m. PT
Retail jewelers are feeling the ripple effects of a rapidly changing global trade environment. From fluctuating tariffs to international supply chain disruptions, the cost and availability of fine jewelry, gemstones, and precious metals are increasingly shaped by forces far beyond the sales floor.
This session will break down how current trade policies and tariff structures directly impact retail jewelers—affecting pricing, sourcing, and inventory planning. Sara will share practical insights on how to navigate these challenges, stay compliant, and communicate confidently with customers about rising costs and product availability.
If you’re a retail jeweler looking to make sense of shifting global dynamics and protect your bottom line, this session will equip you with the knowledge and strategies to stay competitive in an unpredictable marketplace.
