Friday, March 10, 2023

10:00 am – 10:45 am, Room 105
CONSIDERATIONS WHEN BUYING GOLD FROM THE PUBLIC

Presented by:  Louis Scholz, Owner, St. John and Meyers

Louis Scholz has been in the jewelry business for over 40 years... at the bench, as an assayer in a gold refinery, and in the antique business. These experiences give him a unique perspective on how to buy, how to scrap, and how to turn those pieces that have been lurking in your safe into profit.

10:00 am – 10:45 am, Room 106
LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMOND UPDATE

Presented by:  George Prout, President Independent Division, Craft Lab Grown Diamonds

The lab-grown diamond market has captured the imagination of the buying public. Learn from an industry insider about this vital sector currently taking hold, speculate on where it's headed, and learn the best ways independent jewelers can maximize their profits from the category. Led by George Prout, president of Craft Lab Grown Diamonds, you will gain insight from his analysis that will aid you in the decision-making process for buying and selling lab-grown diamonds.

10:00 am - 12:00 pm, Room 102
MASTERCLASS | CONTENT & CONTEXT:  THE STRATEGIES & TACTICS YOU NEED IN 2023

Presented by:  Lee Wiser McIntosh, Content Strategist, The Jewel Vox

PLEASE NOTE, this is a 2-Hour MASTERCLASS

The Content & Context Masterclass is for you if you are ever at a loss for words or ideas on how to promote and build your business. During this Masterclass, you will lay the foundation for effective communication through the primary filters of your customer and brand by optimizing your website with special attention given to product descriptions, your blog as content that makes money, and proven email strategies that communicate directly with your best customers. Different platforms and digital tools including AI copy generation that's revolutionizing marketing communication will be explored and you'll learn tactics that will make you more creative, more productive, and more effective. You will leave this masterclass knowing your store's unique strengths and confident that you can serve up your store's message to an audience that is ready to become expert buyers. You'll know what to say and how to say it and never hesitate to hit "publish" again!

10:00 am – 12:00 pm, Room 104
MASTERCLASS:  CREATING YOUR MARKETING STRATEGY & MONITORING YOUR METRICS

Presented by:  Jennifer Shaheen, Founder & President, Technology Therapy Group

PLEASE NOTE, this is a 2-Hour MASTERCLASS

"If you're not measuring, you're not marketing." This masterclass will bring that maxim to life.

You’ll be digging deep into your business and focus on planning your marketing objectives and identifying the multiple communication channels for executing your message. This Masterclass will equip you with an understanding of relevant metrics and data so you can stay focused on your goals and set key performance indicators that will impact your bottom line.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Room 105
CLIENTELING 3.0: ACCOUNT-BASED MARKETING (ABM)

Presented by:  Andrea Hill, CEO & Founder, Strategy Werx

Some folks say that luxury goods clienteling is dead. It’s definitely not dead, but the techniques of the past no longer work. Today’s digitally-savvy big spenders are harder to find and network with than in the past. In this session, Andrea Hill will introduce you to the ABM method of retail clienteling, a method best used to target the & top 5% of your clients. Andrea Hill will show you how it works, the tools you need to execute it successfully, and the kinds of results you can expect.

11:00 am – 12:00 pm, Room 106
DETECTING LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS

Presented by:  Guy Borenstein, F.G.A., E.G.G., Senior Gemologist, Stuller

The hot lab-grown diamond trend shows no sign of cooling off and the independent jeweler needs to understand the technical side of lab-grown diamonds to protect themselves and their customers.

Media attention to the increased prevalence of undisclosed lab-grown diamonds has fueled consumer awareness and skepticism. In this presentation, learn about the formation processes of both natural and lab-grown origins, their visible and non-visible unique properties, and the common screening technologies used for separating them. Most importantly, learn the limitations and blind spots of each screening method so you can build trust with your customers and present all diamonds with transparency and avoid unnecessary damage to your reputation.

12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
LUNCH:  MEET THE SOHO PROS

Let's break bread together for more conversation! The SoHo Pros will be there, excited to answer your questions and go even deeper into their areas of expertise.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Room 105
CHANGING THE DIAMOND CONVERSATION

Presented by:  Grant Mobley, Jewelry & Watch Editor, Only Natural Diamonds

Learn firsthand how the global diamond industry positively contributes and partners with the communities in which diamonds are found, how diamond recovery and sales benefit millions of people globally, and the ways diamond miners protect the environment and animal life in remote areas of the world. The realities of the modern diamond industry are far from the outdated perceptions of some consumers, and this class will give you the knowledge and facts to disrupt those perceptions to help consumers feel great about their purchases.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Room 102
MASTERCLASS PART 1 | iPhone CORE SKILLS

Presented by:  Apple Certified Pro and Founder, Mac Learn

Please note that this is a 2-hour Masterclass.

You have the top tech in your pocket or purse. Ian will introduce you to the core skills required to tap into unlock the power of your iPhone. Come to this session with your iPhone and get hands-on guidance on tips and features you have yet to unlock! Ian has been working with Apple products for over 20 years and worked for Apple as a trainer. This session promises to be as fun as it is informative.

1:00 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 104
MASTERCLASS:  A GUIDE TO WORKING WITH DESIGN & DESIGN SUBCONTRACTORS = THE ULTIMATE WAY TO BRAND YOUR BUSINESS

Presented by:  Andrea Hill, CEO & Founder, Strategy Werx

PLEASE NOTE, this is a 2-Hour MASTERCLASS

Design is more important to business performance than ever before, and savvy luxury retailers are investing in their own product design offerings. In this two-hour interactive workshop we will cover how to incorporate product design into your business, how design and custom are not necessarily the same thing, when to work with a design subcontractor, how to assess the candidates, how to provide guidance and collaborate without micromanaging, and how to structure subcontractor relationships and pay. By the time this session ends, you’ll have a working strategy for how a design practice could benefit your business and will have worked through all the considerations necessary to get started.

1:00 pm – 2:00 pm, Room 105
THE NEW WAVE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:  TIKTOK, REELS, & YouTube SHORTS

Presented by:  Jennifer Shaheen, Founder & President, Technology Therapy Group

Workshop: The new wave of social video might look more like a ripple compared to its longer counterparts, but it’s making big waves. Short-form video as we know it today got its start on TikTok. Soon after, Instagram and YouTube took note of their popularity and launched Reels and Shorts, respectively. But which platform is right for your business and how do you make the most of them? It's easier than you think to create video content for these short-form platforms. This workshop will help you develop short-form video content and choose the platform (or platforms) that will allow you to reach the right audiences.

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 106
DETECTING LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMONDS

Presented by:  Guy Borenstein, F.G.A., E.G.G., Senior Gemologist, Stuller

The hot lab-grown diamond trend shows no sign of cooling off and the independent jeweler needs to understand the technical side of lab-grown diamonds to protect themselves and their customers.

Media attention to the increased prevalence of undisclosed lab-grown diamonds has fueled consumer awareness and skepticism. In this presentation, learn about the formation processes of both natural and lab-grown origins, their visible and non-visible unique properties, and the common screening technologies used for separating them. Most importantly, learn the limitations and blind spots of each screening method so you can build trust with your customers and present all diamonds with transparency and avoid unnecessary damage to your reputation.

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 102
MASTERCLASS PART 2 | iPhone ADVANCED FEATURES

Presented by:  Apple Certified Pro and Founder, Mac Learn

Please note - This is part 2 of a 2-hour masterclass. Attendance to Part 1 is recommended but not required.

Core skills and features were covered in the earlier session. this session will focus on features you may have yet to uncover on your phone. Bring your iPhone for a hands-on experience that will help you unlock the power of your phone! Apple doesn't always make it easy to use the iPhone features, but Ian will!

2:15 pm – 3:15 pm, Room 105
USE THE RIGHT WORDS TO SELL MORE JEWELRY

Presented by:  Aleah Arundale, Owner and your Diamond Gal, Olympian Diamonds, Founder of Jewelers Helping Jewelers

Aleah brings her energy and sparkle to this session, designed to give you the vocabulary that sells more diamonds. She will give you up to 17 opportunities to up your diamond-selling game! Are you using the vocabulary that moves your presentation to your customer forward? Are you using the most positive words in your marketing? Don’t miss this chance to get Aleah’s inside scoop on what the customer needs to hear to make their aspirational purchase a reality.

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Room 106
DIAMOND POWER PANEL

Moderator:  Terry Chandler, Diamond Council of America

Panelists:

• Guy Borenstein, F.G.A., E.G.G., Senior Gemologist, Stuller
• George Prout, President Independent Division, Craft Lab Grown Diamonds
• Matthew Tratner, General Manager & Vice President, Sarine Technologies, North America
• Grant Mobley, Jewelry & Watch Editor, Only Natural Diamonds

You’ll get all the latest news on diamond trends and marketing from this panel of diamond industry experts. The panel discussion will include information on lab-grown and treated diamonds, diamond mining and sustainability, and a look at the diamond trends. Find out what these experts think about marketing, FTC guidelines, blockchain, and how it all will impact you and your customers.

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Room 102
HOW TO PRICE & SELL CUSTOM JEWELRY

Presented by:  Joel McFadden, Designer & Owner, Joel McFadden Designs

Learn how to determine the true costs of custom jewelry design and then learn how to discuss value and price with your design client. Join Joel McFadden in this vital conversation bolstered by real-world examples with real-world retail pricing.

3:30 pm – 5:45 pm, Room 104
MASTERCLASS | SUCCESSFUL LIVE ONLINE SALES & STREAMING

Presented by: Tiffany Bayley, Founder & CEO, Motivational Speaker & Host of Shop with Tiffany Live, T.H.R.I.V.E. Consulting

PLEASE NOTE, this is a 2-Hour MASTERCLASS.

What are today's best practices for a customer experience that WOWs your customer?  Consumers seek information in a myriad of ways—they search, they ask questions, they watch videos—but companies aren’t always there to meet them. When customers can’t find the information they need, their frustration leads to abandoned carts and moving on to your competitor's website. The traditional service approach misses the new journey that customers take. The solution is for businesses to stay one step ahead. Discover new best practices to deliver the exceptional experience consumers want and digital CX that WOWs even the most demanding customers.

3:30 pm – 4:30 pm, Room 105
THE TRUNK SHOW:  WHAT IS IT? HOW DO YOU DO IT?  AND, WHY!

Presented by:  Rebekah Anderson, Owner, Earth Pebbles

Trunk shows are an excellent way for a retailer to "test drive" a line they don't currently carry, bring in clients by enticing them with the new and novel, or the best way to expand your inventory temporarily for a fun party!

Do it right, and it can also be profitable! This will be a lively conversation about the built-in urgency to buy that limited engagements present. The independent jeweler can introduce a new product, launch a designer, or showcase items they already have by inviting the line representative in for an event. Rebekah will cover critical factors to make hosting a trunk show a success.

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm, Room 106
LABORATORY-GROWN DIAMOND UPDATE

Presented by:  George Prout, President Independent Division, Craft Lab Grown Diamonds

The lab-grown diamond market has captured the imagination of the buying public. Learn from an industry insider about this vital sector currently taking hold, speculate on where it's headed, and learn the best ways independent jewelers can maximize their profits from the category. Led by George Prout, president of Craft Lab Grown Diamonds, you will gain insight from his analysis that will aid you in the decision-making process for buying and selling lab-grown diamonds.

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm, Room 105
THE NEW WAVE OF SOCIAL MEDIA:  TIKTOK, REELS, & YouTube SHORTS

Presented by:  Jennifer Shaheen, Founder & President, Technology Therapy Group

Workshop: The new wave of social video might look more like a ripple compared to its longer counterparts, but it’s making big waves. Short-form video as we know it today got its start on TikTok. Soon after, Instagram and YouTube took note of their popularity and launched Reels and Shorts, respectively. But which platform is right for your business and how do you make the most of them? It's easier than you think to create video content for these short-form platforms. This workshop will help you develop short-form video content and choose the platform (or platforms) that will allow you to reach the right audiences.

4:45 pm – 5:45 pm, Room 102
THE TAKE-IN PROCEDURE | WHAT YOU MUST DO RIGHT EVERY TIME

Presented by:  Joel McFadden, Designer & Owner, Joel McFadden Designs

Taking in jewelry for repairs and appraisals can be challenging, yet profitable. Detailed and concise communication is required to inspire the confidence and trust of your client and protect your business.

Joel will advise you on the step-by-step procedure to take-in and record items left with you by your customer. Your reputation is on the line if documentation is incorrect or incomplete.

Don't leave anything to chance: correct take-in documentation is key to saving time, making money, and building a relationship with of your customer.

6:00 pm – 7:30 pm
FRIDAY NIGHT ICE BREAKER

Calling all AJS attendees. Let's shake a little ice, break a little ice, and start warming up the weekend! Join the AJS Gems for an "icebreaker" to connect with friends, new and old alike.

Saturday, March 11, 2023

8:00 pm – 11:30 pm, Renaissance Waverly Hotel
SATURDAY NIGHT | SOHO SOCIAL! 

Socialize, dance and party the night away with your AJS family and friends.