Events & Awards

Meet JCK’s 2023 Keynote Speaker

Events & AwardsJun 01, 2023

Meet JCK’s 2023 Keynote Speaker

The jewelry trade show also will debut educational content centered around social media.

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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 … 

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.”

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