Events & AwardsMar 03, 2023
Select Show Adds Virginia Event to 2023 Schedule Events & AwardsJun 01, 2023
Meet JCK’s 2023 Keynote Speaker
The jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.
Johnny Earle, creator of the popular Johnny Cupcakes brand, is the 2023 opening keynote speaker for JCK Las Vegas. Typically held on a Friday, this year’s keynote session is scheduled for Saturday morning.
Las Vegas—The opening keynote speaker for the JCK show this year is ... Johnny Earle, better known as “Johnny Cupcakes.”
Founded in 2001, Johnny Cupcakes is a clothing brand that revolves around cupcakes, oftentimes replacing classic iconography with a cupcake symbol.
The brand’s logo is a riff on a skull and crossbones, with a cupcake in lieu of the skull.
Earle has dubbed himself owner of “the world’s first t-shirt bakery,” and has a cult following that regularly lines up for blocks to nab the latest Johnny Cupcakes clothing drops.
On Saturday at 8 a.m., Earle will speak on “Creating Customer Obsession and Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources.”
The keynote session will be held at the Palazzo Ballroom on Level 5 of The Venetian.
Related stories will be right here …
Founded in 2001, Johnny Cupcakes is a clothing brand that revolves around cupcakes, oftentimes replacing classic iconography with a cupcake symbol.
The brand’s logo is a riff on a skull and crossbones, with a cupcake in lieu of the skull.
Earle has dubbed himself owner of “the world’s first t-shirt bakery,” and has a cult following that regularly lines up for blocks to nab the latest Johnny Cupcakes clothing drops.
On Saturday at 8 a.m., Earle will speak on “Creating Customer Obsession and Memorable Experiences with Limited Resources.”
The keynote session will be held at the Palazzo Ballroom on Level 5 of The Venetian.
Earle will speak on word-of-mouth marketing, loyalty, and creating customer obsession through experiential branding, even when resources are limited.
The session is sponsored by Sarine Technologies.
Other educational sessions will cover trends; retail experiences; marketing; sustainability; diversity, equity, and inclusion; innovation; and industry breaking news.
On Thursday, the day before the main show opens, educational sessions will be held in Venetian rooms 101 and 103 on Level 1, from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
On Friday, Saturday and Sunday, sessions will take place at the Showcase Stage on Level 2 from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m.
A new addition for 2023 is the dedicated social media stage at the Innovation Hub on Level 2 close to the Showcase Stage.
Short 30-minute sessions from influencers and digital marketers will focus on tips and tricks for content creation and social media engagement.
“Our theme this year is centered around innovation. We have designed a robust and enriching educational program, including hands-on discovery for JCK attendees to be immersed in the trends and advances in technology that will impact the jewelry industry, as well as learn from and be inspired by thought leaders delivering relevant information to move businesses forward,” said RX Jewelry Portfolio Group Vice President Sarin Bachmann.
“JCK is a place to not only do business, but also the place to learn new ways to grow your business.”
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
SurveysJan 30, 2026
These Are the Top Brands of 2026, Says YouGovFrom tech platforms to candy companies, here’s how some of the highest-ranking brands earned their spot on the list.
CollectionsJan 30, 2026
Follow the Beat With Etiq’s ‘Khol’ RingThe “Khol” ring, our Piece of the Week, transforms the traditional Indian Khol drum into playful jewelry through hand-carved lapis.
MajorsJan 30, 2026
Arch Crown’s 2026 ‘Tag & Label’ Catalog Is HereThe catalog includes more than 100 styles of stock, pre-printed, and custom tags and labels, as well as bar code technology products.
Brought to you by
The MJSA Mentor & Apprenticeship Program: Attracting & Training the Next Generation of Bench JewelersLaunched in 2023, the program will help the passing of knowledge between generations and alleviate the shortage of bench jewelers.
CollectionsJan 29, 2026
Ghirardelli’s ‘Chocolocket’ Returns for Valentine’s DayThe chocolatier is bringing back its chocolate-inspired locket, offering sets of two to celebrate “perfect pairs.”
Weekly QuizJan 29, 2026
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
AuctionsJan 29, 2026
These Were Bonhams’ Top 10 Jewelry Lots in 2025The top lot of the year was a 1930s Cartier tiara owned by Nancy, Viscountess Astor, which sold for $1.2 million in London last summer.
SourcingJan 29, 2026
Stuller Website to Mark AGTA-Sourced GemstonesAny gemstones on Stuller.com that were sourced by an AGTA vendor member will now bear the association’s logo.
Brought to you by
How Jewelers Can Fight Back Against Cell JammersCriminals are using cell jammers to disable alarms, but new technology like JamAlert™ can stop them.
WatchesJan 29, 2026
Audemars Piguet Opens AP House in AtlantaThe Swiss watchmaker has brought its latest immersive boutique to Atlanta, a city it described as “an epicenter of music and storytelling.”
SourcingJan 28, 2026
Ethical Gem Fair to Debut Designer Showcase in TucsonThe new addition will feature finished jewelry created using “consciously sourced” gemstones.
ColumnistsJan 28, 2026
Peter Smith: Setting the Next Generation Up for SuccessIn his new column, Smith advises playing to your successor's strengths and resisting the urge to become a backseat driver.
SurveysJan 28, 2026
Consumer Confidence Falls Below Pandemic Lows in JanuaryThe index fell to its lowest level since May 2014 amid concerns about the present and the future.
IndependentsJan 28, 2026
Foundrae Heads to Aspen for Latest Store OpeningThe new store in Aspen, Colorado, takes inspiration from a stately library for its intimate yet elevated interior design.
FinancialsJan 28, 2026
Tiffany & Co., Bulgari Sales Resilient as LVMH’s 2025 Sales SlipThe brands’ high jewelry collections performed especially well last year despite a challenging environment.
CollectionsJan 27, 2026
De Beers London, GemFair Debut New Collection Highlighting Artisanal DiamondsThe collection marks the first time GemFair’s artisanal diamonds will be brought directly to consumers.
SourcingJan 27, 2026
GemGuide Launches Pricing for Montana SapphiresThe initial charts are for blue, teal, and green material, each grouped into three charts categorized as good, fine, and extra fine.
TechnologyJan 27, 2026
Clientbook Launches Appointment Booking ToolThe new tool can assign the appropriate associate based on the client or appointment type and automate personalized text message follow-ups.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Tucson Preview 2026: Earthy Tones and Innovative Shapes Buyers are expected to gravitate toward gemstones that have a little something special, just like last year.
SourcingJan 26, 2026
Angolan Diamond Cos. Join NDC as Rio Tinto, Murowa Exit Endiama and Sodiam will contribute money to the marketing of natural diamonds as new members of the Natural Diamond Council.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
Francesca’s To Close All StoresThe retailer operates more than 450 boutiques across 45 states, according to its website.
MajorsJan 26, 2026
BIJC Names 5 New Board MembersThe new members’ skills span communications, business development, advocacy, and industry leadership.
CollectionsJan 26, 2026
Tiffany & Co. Celebrates 189 Years of Love StoriesThe jeweler’s 2026 Valentine’s Day campaign, “Celebrating Love Stories Since 1837,” includes a short firm starring actress Adria Arjona.
GradingJan 26, 2026
DCA Updates Colored Gemstone CourseThe new features include interactive flashcards and scenario-based roleplay with AI tools.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Watches of Switzerland Acquires 4-Store Jewelry Chain in TexasFamily-owned jewelry and watch retailer Deutsch & Deutsch has stores in El Paso, Laredo, McAllen, and Victoria.
WatchesJan 23, 2026
Damiani Group to Acquire Baume & MercierThe Italian luxury company purchased the nearly 200-year-old Swiss watch brand from Richemont.
TrendsJan 23, 2026
Martin Katz’s Earrings Call to Mind Wintry Weather Micro-set with hundreds of diamonds, these snowflake earrings recreate “winter’s most elegant silhouette,” and are our Piece of the Week.
MajorsJan 23, 2026
Rembrandt Charms Names New Director of Creative, Brand StrategyElla Blum was appointed to the newly created role.
