The Ultimate Jewelry Adventure: Countdown to JCK Las Vegas

22 May 2024 | Esther Ligthart | Industry, Business & Industry

As I pack my bags and gear up for another exciting trip, I can't help but feel a buzz of excitement and anticipation. Yes, it's that time of year again—I'm heading to Las Vegas as a guest of JCK, the most prominent jewelry trade show in the United States. For those of you who might not be familiar with JCK, let me give you a sneak peek into what makes this event a must-attend for anyone in the jewelry industry.

Why I Love Trade Shows

Trade shows like JCK are my window into the heartbeat of the jewelry world. They offer an unparalleled opportunity to see where the industry is heading and to gather insights from retailers about what consumers are looking for. Unlike the more dramatic shifts we see in fashion, jewelry trends often evolve gradually, but these subtle changes keep our industry dynamic and exciting.

This year, I'm looking forward to discovering new trends and innovations, particularly those that might differ from what we see in Europe. I'm also eager to reconnect with my peers, share experiences, and soak in the vibrant atmosphere that only a gathering of passionate jewelry professionals can create.

What to Expect at JCK 2024

JCK is not just any trade show—it's the world's largest and most trusted jewelry industry event, with over 30 years of excellence in bringing the community together. Here's a snapshot of what makes JCK so unique:

A Legacy of Excellence: JCK celebrated its 30th anniversary in 2022, and it continues to set the standard for industry events. It's a truly global event with over 17,000 attendees and 1,800 exhibitors from 130 countries.
Recognition and Awards: The 2021 show was lauded for its exceptional return following the disruptions of COVID-19, earning accolades from Trade Show Executive Magazine. TSNN awarded the 2022 show the Comeback Winner for Outstanding Attendance.
A Platform for Connection and Growth: JCK is committed to being the premier event for doing business and networking in the jewelry industry. It offers invaluable education and networking opportunities that help propel careers and businesses forward.

What I'm Looking Forward To

One of the highlights for me at JCK is the chance to meet and mingle with industry leaders and innovators. The event is a melting pot of ideas and creativity, and it's always inspiring to see what new designs and concepts are being introduced.

Moreover, the various events and educational sessions are a treasure trove of knowledge. Whether learning about the latest technological advancements in jewelry making or understanding new market trends, there's always something new to discover.

Why You Should Be Excited Too

If you're in the jewelry industry, whether as a buyer, designer, manufacturer, supplier, or student, JCK is the event you should mark on your calendar every year. It's not just about doing business; it's about being part of a community that shares your passion and enthusiasm for jewelry.

JCK Las Vegas 2024: Event Highlights in a Nutshell

Here's an overview of some key events you might want to attend. From educational sessions to networking opportunities, there's something for everyone. Let's dive in!

Thursday, May 30th

Rings of Strength

Time: 05:30 AM - 07:30 AM
Location: Doge's Palace Entrance
Description: Fundraising 5K to support children in need.
Hosted by: Jewelers for Children

GIA Show Service Laboratory

Time: 09:00 AM - 05:00 PM
Location: Bassano 2805 & 2806, The Venetian, Level 2
Description: Colored stone identification and origin lab services.

Full Espresso Bar provided by Hong Kong Pavilion

Time: 09:30 AM - 05:00 PM
Location: Hong Kong Pavilion, Level 1

Consumer Education 101: Educating Your Team on Jewelry Myths & Customer Objections

Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Anna Samsonova, John Pollard, Lexis Parker

Business Snapshot 101: Is Your Business Healthy Enough to Thrive?

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Benjamin Smithee, Alexandra Brown

The Sustainability Summit at JCK

Time: 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, Level 3
Speakers: Marie-Claire Daveu, Dr. M Sanjayan, Melanie Grant, Glenn J. Hansen, Tiffany Stevens, Iris Van Der Veken

Sales Education 101: Golden Rules of Conduct

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Location: Room 101
Speaker: Shane Decker

Visual Merchandising 101: Creating Captivating Experiences to Engage Your Customers

Time: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Anna Samsonova, Jim Bretzel, Stephanie Major, Melissa Quick

Security 101: Rising Risks and Preventive Measures

Time: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Speakers: Rob Bates, Howard Stone, Andrew Chipman, Scott F. Guginsky

Sustainability 101: Legal & Compliance and Green Guides Update with JVC

Time: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Tiffany Stevens, Sara Yood

Colored Gemstones 101: How to Sell Colored Stones Like a Boss

Time: 04:00 PM - 04:45 PM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Rebecca Shukan, Kimberly Collins, John Ford, Douglas Mays

Business Resources 101: Programs and Services to Support Your Business

Time: 05:00 PM - 05:45 PM
Location: Room 101
Speakers: Amanda Gizzi, Malyia McNaughton, Katherine Bodoh, Gabrielle Grazi, Mark Smelzer

Diamonds Do Good Awards

Time: 06:00 PM - 09:00 PM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, Level 3
Hosted by: Diamonds Do Good (Ticketed Event)

Friday, May 31st

Spotlight on De Beers Breakfast

Time: 08:00 AM - 10:30 AM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, Level 3
Speakers: Al Cook, Richard Lawson, Sandrine Conseiller

WJA Generating Community Impact Breakfast: Disability Inclusion in the Jewelry & Watch Industry

Time: 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Location: Murano Ballroom, Level 3
Hosted by: Women's Jewelry Association

Industry Update: Natural Diamond Market

Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Edahn Golan, Rebecca Foerster, Feriel Zerouki, Susan Jacques

Jewelry Industry-Specific Recruiting Techniques

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Becka Johnson Kibby

Market Updates for the Major Social Media Platforms

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Janzen Tew

Unveiling the Latest Trends in Wedding Jewelry

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Amanda Gizzi, Severine Ferrari, Israel Morales, Trish Carruth

Crafting Captions that Captivate: The Art of Effective Social Media Wording

Time: 12:30 PM - 01:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Laryssa Wirstiuk

Talking Sales

Time: 01:00 PM - 01:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Peter Smith

Your Brand Identity: Building Community & Engagement

Time: 01:30 PM - 02:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Beth Jones

Navigating the Changing Landscape of AI

Time: 02:00 PM - 02:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Jennifer Shaheen

Drink n' Dazzle with the V&A Luxury and Marchesa Team

Time: 02:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Location: V&A Group Booth #15075, Level 2
Hosted by: V&A Group

The 10 Most Popular Jewelry Content Trends for 2024

Time: 02:30 PM - 03:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Severine Ferrari

Russia Sanctions and the New Diamond Buying Experience

Time: 03:00 PM - 03:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Tiffany Stevens, Sara Yood

Jewelers Choice Awards Toast

Time: 03:30 PM - 04:30 PM
Location: Design Collective Lounge, Booth #: 12043

Career Zone Networking Happy Hour

Time: 04:00 PM - 05:00 PM
Location: The Career Zone, Level 2

Vision to Reality: Creating a Workplace Centered on Leadership, Communication, and Employee Education

Time: 04:00 PM - 04:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Andrea Lucille Pooler

Influencer Collaborations - Creating Meaningful Partnerships & Campaigns

Time: 04:30 PM - 05:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Jen Cullen Williams, Janzen Tew, Tracey Ellison, Shohista Turdiyeva, Katerina Perez

Marketing Tools You Should be Using Now & in the Future

Time: 05:00 PM - 05:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Elle Hill, Guy Pineda, Gus Garcia, Jennifer Shaheen

Jewelers of America Member Meetup

Time: 06:00 PM - 08:00 PM
Location: Luxury Lobby Lounge

Saturday, June 1st

JCK Keynote: The Power to Win!

Time: 08:00 AM - 09:30 AM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, Level 3
Speaker: Sugar Ray Leonard

Industry Update: Lab-Grown Diamond Market

Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Edahn Golan, Zulu Ghevriya, George Prout, Sean Moore

Beyond the Bling: Ensuring ADA Compliance Online and in Retail Spaces

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Tiffany Stevens, Sara Yood

Show Floor Tour: Designers

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Meet near Luxury Registration on Level 2

Social Media: Dive-In, Dig Deep or Ditch It

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Jennifer Shaheen

Consumer Trends & The Future of Commerce

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Malyia McNaughton, Lauren McCawley, Jeffery Bolling

Digital Analytics: How to Decode

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Benjamin Smithee, Jake Hensley

Selling Across Demographics

Time: 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Anna Samsonova, Ashley McGinty, Viviana Langhoff, Jeffery Bolling

The Future of Digital Advertising

Time: 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Benjamin Smithee, Jake Hensley

Innovative AI Tools to Improve your Workplace

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Pete Huang

Smoothie Action Station provided by Hong Kong Pavilion

Time: 2:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Location: Hong Kong Pavilion, Level 1

Organic Growth on Instagram and TikTok

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Bebe Bakhshi

Ethical Sourcing: Your Action Plans for Vetting Gemstone Sources and Materials

Time: 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Stanley Zale, Laurent Cartier, Kyle Roderick, Anthony Maietta

Editorial Mindset: Publishing Content that Performs

Time: 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Shea Curry

Career Zone Networking Happy Hour

Time: 4:00 PM - 5:00 PM
Location: The Career Zone, Level 2

How to Trust Your Team and Let Them Run the Show Floor

Time: 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Becka Johnson Kibby

How Creative can Impact Your Growth

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Janzen Tew

Seamlessly Integrating Offline and Online Experiences

Time: 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Laryssa Wirstiuk

The Plumb Club Gala Evening (By Invite Only)

Time: 6:10 PM - 11:00 PM
Location: Brera Osteria and Canaletto Restaurants – The Venetian St. Marks Square
Hosted by: The Plumb Club

Sunday, June 2nd

Rapaport State of the Industry Presentation With Martin Rapaport

Time: 8:00 AM - 10:00 AM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, The Venetian, Level 3
Speakers: Martin Rapaport, Mmetla Masire, Maksud Agadjan

GIA Show Service Laboratory

Time: 9:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Location: Bassano 2805 & 2806, The Venetian, Level 2

Industry Update: Colored Gemstone Market

Time: 10:00 AM - 10:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: David Nassi, Stuart Robertson, Victoria Gomelsky, Kimberly Collins

How to Buy Diamonds with Legitimate Source Provenance; Practical Advice to Diamond Buyers

Time: 11:00 AM - 12:00 PM
Location: Murano Ballroom, Level 3
Speakers: Wesley Tucker, David Block, Johanna Levy, Olivia Landau

The Secret to Scaling Faster Than Your Competition: Business Operations Technology

Time: 11:00 AM - 11:45 AM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Elle Hill

Leveraging User-Generated Content in Jewelry Marketing

Time: 11:30 AM - 12:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Laryssa Wirstiuk

Trends from the Floor with JCK Magazine

Time: 12:00 PM - 12:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Victoria Gomelsky

Optimizing Your Digital Presence with SEO

Time: 12:30 PM - 1:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Guy Pineda

Has the Customer Changed or Have We?

Time: 1:00 PM - 1:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: William Jones IV

Beyond the Boost - How to Really Leverage Instagram & Facebook Ads

Time: 1:30 PM - 2:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Jennifer Shaheen

Jewelry Tech Tools of the Future

Time: 2:00 PM - 2:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Madeline Fraser, Jen Cullen Williams, Zach Lipsky, Ross Cockerham, Maxwell Orloff

Rapaport Social Responsibility Conference Round Table Discussion

Time: 2:00 PM - 4:00 PM
Location: Murano Ballroom, Level 3

How to Effectively Target Each Generation from Boomers to Gen Z on Social Media

Time: 2:30 PM - 3:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Shea Curry

Mine to Market: The Importance of Traceability and Transparency in the Industry

Time: 3:00 PM - 3:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Brecken Branstrator, Adriano Mol, John Ferry, Sheahan Stephen, Lotanna Amina Okpukpara

Augmented Reality (AR) Integration: Utilizing AR filters and try-on features to enhance the customer experience and drive sales.

Time: 3:30 PM - 4:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Lauren McCawley

Le Vian 25th Red Carpet Revue

Time: 4:00 PM - 7:00 PM
Location: Lido Ballroom, The Venetian, Level 3
Hosted by: Le Vian

Nailing Your Elevator Pitch: Creating Connections in and Out of the Industry

Time: 4:00 PM - 4:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Adrianne Sanogo, Jen Cullen Williams, Kendra Bridelle, Thomas Davis, Monica Elias

How the Digital World Reshaped the Jewelry Industry and What’s Next

Time: 4:30 PM - 5:15 PM
Location: The Social Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speaker: Laura Inghirami

Selling Through Experiences: Ideas to Excite Your Customer & Build Community

Time: 5:00 PM - 5:45 PM
Location: Showcase Stage, The Venetian Expo, Level 2
Speakers: Jen Cullen Williams, Alisha Moore, Viviana Langhoff, John Carter

Facets, An Evening Benefiting Jewelers for Children

Time: 6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Location: San Polo Ballroom, Level 3
Hosted by: Jewelers for Children

JCK Rocks at Tao Beach with Flo Rida

Time: 9:00 PM - 11:59 PM
Location: Tao Beach & Tao Nightclub

Stay Tuned

I'll share my experiences and insights with you all. So, stay tuned for my post-show blog and follow me on LinkedIn, where I'll dive into the highlights of JCK 2024, the trends that caught my eye, and the innovative ideas shaping our industry's future.

Until then, keep sparkling, and I can't wait to bring you along on this glittering adventure in Las Vegas!

This comprehensive schedule covers just some of the exciting events lined up for JCK Las Vegas 2024. Whether you're attending for business insights, networking, or to immerse yourself in the latest trends, there's something for everyone. I look forward to seeing you there and sharing our passion for jewelry!

Esther X