IndependentsMay 05, 2022
5 Things to Know About Selling Jewelry to the LGBTQ+ CommunityEvents & AwardsJun 28, 2022
Second AGS Virtual Education Conference Is All About Negotiation Skills
“Confluence” is happening in August.
Scheduled speakers at American Gem Society’s 2022 Confluence education conference are: (from left to right) Phil Jones, Kate Vitasek, Victor Antonio, and Tony Perzow.
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society has announced its keynote speakers for the second “Confluence” virtual education conference.
Planned for Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. PST, Confluence 2022 will focus on negotiation skills.
“Each year, Confluence offers our members a great opportunity to hone specific skills that can enrich their career and help them achieve their goals,” said American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories CEO Katherine Bodoh.
“Successful negotiation is essential to many of our members’ careers. We are pleased we can provide them with this important learning opportunity.”
The half-day of sessions will feature presentations from four negotiation experts.
Phil Jones will lead a session called “Exactly What to Say—The Magic Words for Influence and Impact.” Author of the internationally best-selling book of the same name, as well as six other business books, Jones is also the founder of five multi-million-dollar companies.
He is one of less than 200 living members of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and will teach virtual attendees how to make conversations count.
Kate Vitasek will present “The New Economics of Commerce: How to Leverage Nobel Prize-Winning Theory in Your Next Negotiation.” The author of seven books including “How P&G, McDonald’s and Microsoft Are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships,” and, “Getting to We: Negotiating Agreements for Highly Collaborative Relationships,” Vitasek provides research-based advice on innovation through strategic partnerships.
After a career with positions at P&G and Microsoft, among other companies, she is now a faculty member at the University of Tennessee.
Victor Antonio will present a session titled: “Position Your Value, Not Your Price.” He is a sales trainer and consultant with 14 books on sales and motivation to his name.
He is also the founder of an online sales training platform with over 60 courses called SalesVelocityAcademy.com.
Tony Perzow will speak on: “Negotiating Price Like a Pro.” Perzow has trained executives in the art of negotiation as a former negotiation trainer at the Karrass Organization and vice president of negotiation training at Strategic Pricing Associates.
He will deliver concrete actions, ideas and techniques based upon his experience as a buyer and seller that negotiated with companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco.
Only open to AGS members, they can register for Confluence online.
GIA is the 2022 event sponsor.
Bodoh said, “Because of their generous support, we are able to bring this valuable education to our membership. We are very grateful to GIA for all they do for the AGS community.”
Related stories will be right here …
Planned for Aug. 22 from 9 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. PST, Confluence 2022 will focus on negotiation skills.
“Each year, Confluence offers our members a great opportunity to hone specific skills that can enrich their career and help them achieve their goals,” said American Gem Society and AGS Laboratories CEO Katherine Bodoh.
“Successful negotiation is essential to many of our members’ careers. We are pleased we can provide them with this important learning opportunity.”
The half-day of sessions will feature presentations from four negotiation experts.
Phil Jones will lead a session called “Exactly What to Say—The Magic Words for Influence and Impact.” Author of the internationally best-selling book of the same name, as well as six other business books, Jones is also the founder of five multi-million-dollar companies.
He is one of less than 200 living members of the National Speakers Association Hall of Fame and will teach virtual attendees how to make conversations count.
Kate Vitasek will present “The New Economics of Commerce: How to Leverage Nobel Prize-Winning Theory in Your Next Negotiation.” The author of seven books including “How P&G, McDonald’s and Microsoft Are Redefining Winning in Business Relationships,” and, “Getting to We: Negotiating Agreements for Highly Collaborative Relationships,” Vitasek provides research-based advice on innovation through strategic partnerships.
After a career with positions at P&G and Microsoft, among other companies, she is now a faculty member at the University of Tennessee.
Victor Antonio will present a session titled: “Position Your Value, Not Your Price.” He is a sales trainer and consultant with 14 books on sales and motivation to his name.
He is also the founder of an online sales training platform with over 60 courses called SalesVelocityAcademy.com.
Tony Perzow will speak on: “Negotiating Price Like a Pro.” Perzow has trained executives in the art of negotiation as a former negotiation trainer at the Karrass Organization and vice president of negotiation training at Strategic Pricing Associates.
He will deliver concrete actions, ideas and techniques based upon his experience as a buyer and seller that negotiated with companies like Walmart, Amazon, and Costco.
Only open to AGS members, they can register for Confluence online.
GIA is the 2022 event sponsor.
Bodoh said, “Because of their generous support, we are able to bring this valuable education to our membership. We are very grateful to GIA for all they do for the AGS community.”
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
EditorsSep 15, 2025
Skipping the Necklace, Embracing Snakes: The Best Jewelry From the 2025 Emmy AwardsAssociate Editor Natalie Francisco shares eight of her favorite jewelry looks from the 77th annual Primetime Emmy Awards, held Sunday night.
SurveysSep 15, 2025
Resilient Shoppers to Boost Holiday Retail Sales, Says DeloitteIt’s predicting a rise in retail sales this holiday season despite economic uncertainty and elevated inflation.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
Gemfields Achieves $32M at High-Quality Emerald AuctionIt included the sale of the 11,685-carat “Imboo” emerald that was recently discovered at Kagem.
Brought to you by
reDollar.com Is Rolling Out the Next Level Jewelry, Diamond & Watch Consignment ProgramWith their unmatched services and low fees, reDollar.com is challenging some big names in the online consignment world.
SourcingSep 15, 2025
AGTA Elects 8 Members to Board of Directors The newly elected directors will officially take office in February 2026 and will be introduced at the organization’s membership meeting.
Weekly QuizSep 12, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
EditorsSep 12, 2025
Out & About: Mining Sapphires in Rock Creek, MontanaAssociate Editor Lauren McLemore headed out West for a visit to Potentate Mining’s operation hosted by gemstone wholesaler Parlé Gems.
TrendsSep 12, 2025
Piece of the Week: Arunashi’s Fordite and Rhodolite EarringsFordite is a man-made material created from the layers of dried enamel paint that dripped onto the floors of automotive factories.
Brought to you by
Rallying Call for the Jewelry Industry on Tariffs and Other Key IssuesJewelers of America is leading the charge to protect the industry amidst rising economic threats.
Policies & IssuesSep 11, 2025
Supreme Court to Hear Tariffs Case in November A decision likely won’t come until January 2026 at the earliest, and the tariffs remain in effect until then.
MajorsSep 11, 2025
Tabayer Opens Nordstrom Shop-In-ShopLocated in the revamped jewelry hall at the retailer’s New York City flagship, this opening is Tabayer’s first shop-in-shop.
SourcingSep 11, 2025
Need to Sell More Natural Diamonds? De Beers Has an App for ThatThe new, free app offers accessible educational content, like games and podcasts, for U.S. retailers.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
Stuller to Swap Gold Scrap for Full Credit to AccountAs the gold price rises, the manufacturer is offering a 100 percent payout through Sept. 30 for gold clean scrap.
SourcingSep 10, 2025
Tech Meets Style in the New Loewe x Jacob & Co. HeadphonesJacob & Co. partnered with the German technology company on two pairs of headphones, one set with diamonds and the other with sapphires.
TrendsSep 10, 2025
Tiffany & Co. Archival Jewels Bring Life to ‘Frankenstein’Guillermo del Toro’s 2025 “Frankenstein” will feature 27 jewels and objects from the storied brand, including pieces from its archives.
MajorsSep 10, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York’s Banquet to Return to Waldorf AstoriaThe Waldorf Astoria New York’s grand reopening this past summer means a homecoming for the industry group’s annual event.
SourcingSep 09, 2025
Anglo American to Merge With Canadian Copper Miner Anglo plans to merge with Teck Resources Ltd. to form Anglo Teck. The deal changes nothing about its plans to offload De Beers.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
‘The Mellon Blue’ to Return to Auction, This Time at Christie’s The 9.51-carat fancy vivid blue diamond, which set two world auction records at Sotheby’s in 2014, is estimated to fetch up to $30 million.
AuctionsSep 09, 2025
Phillips Names Dianne Batista Head of Jewels, New YorkThe industry veteran joins the auction house as it looks to solidify its footprint in the jewelry market.
MajorsSep 09, 2025
MJSA Education Foundation Announces 2025 Scholarship WinnersThe nonprofit awarded four students pursuing a professional career in jewelry making and design with $2,250 each.
IndependentsSep 08, 2025
Take a Look Inside the New Korman Store in AustinThe Texas-based jeweler has also undergone a brand refresh, debuting a new website and logo.
MajorsSep 08, 2025
MJSA Is Officially Now Under JA’s UmbrellaThe two organizations have finalized and signed the affiliation agreement announced in May.
AuctionsSep 08, 2025
Sotheby’s To Auction ‘Exceptional’ Collection of JAR, Suzanne Belperron JewelsThe single-owner sale will headline Sotheby's inaugural jewelry auction at the Breuer building, its new global headquarters, this December.
ColumnistsSep 05, 2025
Peter Smith: A Lasting Lesson From Maurice Tempelsman Smith recalls a bit of wisdom the industry leader, who died last week, shared at a diamond conference years ago.
CollectionsSep 05, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jamie Turner’s ‘Victoria’ Necklace The “Victoria” necklace features a labradorite hugged by diamond accents in 18-karat yellow gold.
Policies & IssuesSep 05, 2025
Trump Takes Tariffs Case to the Supreme Court Two lower courts have moved to block the import taxes, which will remain in place as the legal battle continues.
WatchesSep 05, 2025
Patrick Mahomes Is the New Hublot Brand AmbassadorThe Kansas City Chiefs quarterback shares Hublot’s dedication to pursuing greatness, the Swiss watchmaker said.
