While this year’s American Gem Society (AGS) Conclave will be the last to take place in September – the 2027 edition returns to a spring event in Kansas City, Missouri, from May 2 to 5 – the affair’s much-loved educational offerings and camaraderie aren’t going anywhere.
Turnout was abundant, said AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh on day two of the seminar series that took place from September 14 to 18 in Orlando, Florida. The conference includes awards to members of distinction, and hosts onsite registrants as well as hundreds who signed up ahead of the annual educational series.
“Last year was very different because we had Converge,” she says of the joint AGS and Gemological Institute of America (GIA) event that that occurred in 2025 in Carlsbad, California. “This year, we went back to our normal Conclave roots.”
Popular discussion topics were artificial intelligence, the natural-diamond story, security, appraisals, selling to Gen Z, and more. The gathering also featured a new mobile watch class with hands-on sessions in addition to the returning supplier showcase and trivia night. A final day of education and a president’s party will close out the event, with a fresh request for proposals (RFP) process for next year’s speakers opening not long after this edition ends.
“Being excellent requires work,” continued Bodoh. “Conclave is that time for our members to invest in themselves. We work together to try to tackle the problems of the industry instead of trying to do it on their own; that’s what being part of AGS is really about.”
Sean Dunn, president and co-owner of J.R. Dunn Jewelers in Tavares, Florida, enjoyed “Future Proofing Your Jewelry Business: Lessons from the 20 Under 40 in Jewelry Retail,” on Tuesday morning.
“This session was filled with great insight into what the Gen Z client is looking for, from consistent follow-up at every stage to using technology like Claude and Podium together to help automate some of those touches,” he said. “I also loved the idea of a bridal wish-list party. Have her come in with her significant other or girlfriends, try on rings, save what she loves, and get her ring size. Then when the time comes, the guesswork is gone, and he knows she’s going to love it.”
Also on Tuesday, Stuller’s vice president of strategic analysis, Harold Dupuy, presented a data-rich presentation on “Our Changing Jewelry Industry.” Among the economic indicators he observed: consumer spending is slowing down compared to the Covid-19 years and their stimulus funds; jewelry-only stores account for 26% of the national doors but control about 48% of the dollars; and jewelry is outperforming other luxury categories and taking share away from big-box stores.
Security tips from Scott Guginsky of the Jewelers’ Security Alliance (JSA) and Howard Stone of Jewelers Mutual included the use of Apple AirTags placed in jewelry safes and other areas that could lead to the recovery of merchandise.
“When you get a good GPS tracker, [criminals] can be apprehended, the property can be recovered, and [thieves] can get arrested,” said Guginsky during Wednesday afternoon’s “Organized Retail Crime in 2026: Evolving Threats and Practical Strategies for Luxury Retail.”
At the Robert M. Shipley Award luncheon, John Carter, AGS board past president, president of Jack Lewis Jewelers in Bloomington, Illinois, the 2024 Shipley Award recipient, and president of the AGS International Board of Directors, presented this year’s prize to Michael Richards, president of Underwood’s Jewelers in Jacksonville and Ponte Vedra Beach, Florida.
“I’ve been very fortunate to have both learned and worked alongside many of the Robert M. Shipley recipients,” said Richardson during his acceptance speech. “This award is a reflection of their guidance and encouragement throughout my career.”
Image: American Gem Society Conclave. (Jennifer Heebner)
