These Are the Can’t-Miss JCK Talks Education Sessions

Las Vegas—The 2023 edition of the JCK Las Vegas show opens today.

While the jewels and exhibitors may be the main attractions, organizers have once again lined up a number of education sessions, known as “JCK Talks.”

This year, the educational lineup will feature more than 60 speaker sessions, with a focus on social media content, as well as trends, marketing, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion.

These are a few attendees should add to their schedule.

June 2

A JCK Talks “hot topic” session titled “Natural Diamond Updates” will be held from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.

Speakers include Rob Bates, news director at JCK; Tiffany Stevens, president, CEO and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee; Kristina Buckley Kayel, managing director and CMO of Natural Diamond Council, North America; and Feriel Zerouki, senior vice president of corporate affairs at De Beers Group.

There is also a new stage, dubbed “The Social Stage,” dedicated to social media-related education. It’s located on level 2 within the “Innovation Hub.”

Laryssa Wirstiuk, founder and creative director of digital marketing agency Joy Joya, will host “How to Make Sense of Your Social Media Analytics” from 12:30 to 1:15 p.m at the Social Stage.

Tracey Ellison, blogger and founder of the popular Instagram account “TheDiamondsGirl,” will host “How to Work with Influencers” from 3:30 to 4:15 p.m at the Social Stage.

For those interested in learning more about retail experiences, Andrea Pooler, principal consultant at Hill & Co., will lead “From Showcase to Sales: Maximizing Jewelry Retail Profits through Visual Merchandising,” from 4 to 4:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.

June 3

Organizers are kicking off Saturday with the JCK Keynote in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5 of the Venetian from 8 to 9 a.m.

This year’s opening keynote speaker is Johnny Earle, better known as “Johnny Cupcakes,” the man behind the clothing brand of the same name.

Earle will lead “Creating Customer Obsession and Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources.”

He will discuss word-of-mouth marketing, loyalty, and creating customer obsession through experiential branding.

Another “hot topics” session will be held on lab-grown diamonds, titled “Lab-Grown Diamond Updates,” from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.

Featured speakers are Rob Bates; Edahn Golan, CEO of Edahn Golan Diamond Research and Data; Avi Levy, president of IGI North America; and Joanna Park-Tonks, president of the International Grown Diamond Association.

For those looking to learn more about what’s new in the bridal market, Amanda Gizzi will lead “Wedding Trends” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.

She will be joined by a panel of experts, including Juli Alvarez, fashion and beauty director at Bridal Guide; Severine Ferrari, editor-in-chief and founder at Engagement 101 Magazine; and Abby Snow, manager and co-owner of Metalmark Fine Jewelry.

The panel will discuss trends in the space as well as opportunities for clientele development and increasing sales.

Later in the afternoon, there will be a talk focused on diversity, equity, and inclusion.

A panel of industry experts will lead “How to Create an Inclusive Environment for Your Customers and Employees” from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.

Speakers include Jennifer Gandia, co-owner of Greenwich St. Jewelers; Valerie Madison, owner and creative director at Valerie Madison Fine Jewelry; Annie Doresca, chief financial officer of Jewelers of America and the board president of the Black in Jewelry Coalition; and James Mack, owner and designer of James Mack Fine Jewelry.

June 4

Another “hot topics” talk will be held Sunday morning, titled “Colored Stone Updates,” from 10 to 10:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.

The session will feature speakers Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine; Adrianne Sanogo; Monica Stephenson, president and founder of ANZA Gems; Kimberly Collins, CEO and founder of Kimberly Collins Colored Gems; and Jaimeen Shah, partner at Prima Gems USA.

Michael O'Connor, marketing director at The Plumb Club, will host “Today’s Changing Customer: Who, When and What They’re Buying!,” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. at the Showcase Stage.

He will discuss the evolving consumer landscape, consumer trends, shifting values, and more, guided by research from the 2023 Plumb Club Industry and Market Insights study.

“Incorporating Diversity into Your Branding to Attract a Diverse Audience” will be held from 2 to 2:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.

The session will be led by Jeffery Bolling, owner and jewelry designer at Jeffery B Jewelers; Dorian Webb, jewelry designer and CEO of Dorian Webb Lifestyle; and Viviana Langhoff, owner jewelry Designer at Adornment and Theory.

Jennifer Shaheen is hosting a number of tech-focused sessions during the show, including “From Artificial to Artistry: The Role of AI in Retail Jewelry's Evolution,” held from 5 to 5:45 p.m. at the Showcase Stage.

To see the full list of educational sessions and events, visit the JCK website.

The JCK show will take place June 2-5 at The Venetian Expo in Las Vegas, with the Gems show and JCK Talks programming beginning a day earlier on June 1.