5 Sessions to See at JA’s National Convention

New York—Jewelers of America’s inaugural conference kicks off this Sunday in New York City.

The National Convention promises plenty of discussion surrounding the jewelry industry’s hottest topics over two days of seminars.

Here are five sessions not to miss.

1. Fear Is My Homeboy: 4 Ways You Can Transform Fear into a Powerful Secret Weapon
Judi Holler, an author, speaker and professional improviser, kicks off the convention as Sunday’s keynote speaker. She will teach attendees how to apply the comedic improvising concepts she learned at the famed Second City’s Conservatory in Chicago to take action in the business world’s unscripted day-to-day life.

Sunday, 9 to 10:15 a.m.

2. Solving the Challenge of Lab-Grown Diamond Detection
A panel will go over the equipment that’s available to detect natural and lab-grown diamonds today.

The experts are National Jeweler’s Editor-in-Chief Michelle Graff; Gemological Science International President Debbie Azar; NCDIA’s Education Director Thomas Gelb; GIA’s Executive Vice President and Chief Laboratory and Research Office Tom Moses; American Gem Society Laboratories’ Executive Director Jason Quick; and De Beers’ Head of Technology Faried Sallie.

This session is the perfect way to get informed before checking out the conference’s Diamond Detection Lab, where equipment will be on view.

Sunday, 10:45 to 11:45 a.m.

3. Election Outlook 2020
Sunday’s keynote lunch speaker is Charlie Cook of The Cook Political Report. An election analyst who has worked for the National Journal Group and NBC News and now publishes his own report, Cook will tell jewelers what they need to know about the 2020 elections and what the near-future in politics will mean for business.

Sunday, 12 to 1:30 p.m.

4. Omni-Channel Marketing: Deliver Your Brand Message Where Your Customers Shop
Vice President of Brand Marketing at MM.LaFleur Jennifer Braunschweiger is a digital storytelling expert. She’ll talk about how to reach consumers in all areas where they’re interacting with businesses today, from website e-commerce to social media.

Sunday, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

5. Social Media: Turning ‘Likes’ to Brand Loves
Jennifer Mitchell, senior vice president of social and innovation at FleishmanHillard in Washington D.C., specializes in paid and organic social and digital strategies, as well as real-time marketing. Mitchell will speak on the latest trends and statistics for various social media platforms, the best practices when it comes to working with influencers, shopping via social media and how to transform followers into brand advocates.

Monday, 1:45 to 2:45 p.m.

Jewelers of America’s National Convention is happening Sunday, July 28 and Monday, July