Events & AwardsOct 31, 2023
JFC Announces 2024 ‘Facets of Hope’ HonoreesEvents & AwardsNov 02, 2023
Savannah Bananas Owner to Headline AGS Conclave 2024
Jesse Cole will deliver the opening keynote address at the American Gem Society’s main event next year.
Las Vegas—Jesse Cole, founder of Fans First Entertainment and owner of the Savannah Bananas, will be the opening keynote speaker at Conclave 2024, the American Gem Society announced Wednesday.
Based in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah Bananas is an exhibition baseball team—think the Harlem Globetrotters, but baseball.
Cole is credited with transforming the Bananas into the “greatest show in sports.” His creative method of making baseball fun has led to unprecedented success for the team, AGS said, with sold-out games, a waitlist of more than 600,000, and a global fan base.
The team has been featured on the Today show, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO’s Real Sports, and ESPN+.
“Jesse’s unparalleled success with the Savannah Bananas perfectly embodies the spirit of ‘Keeping Conclave Weird,’” said Denise Richards, chair of the AGS’s Conclave sub-committee.
“His novel approach to business aligns with our theme, encouraging us to embrace the unconventional and find joy in the unexpected. As we anticipate Conclave 2024, where each moment promises to be exceptional, Jesse’s insights will undoubtedly inspire and entertain our members.”
Related stories will be right here …
Based in Savannah, Georgia, the Savannah Bananas is an exhibition baseball team—think the Harlem Globetrotters, but baseball.
Cole is credited with transforming the Bananas into the “greatest show in sports.” His creative method of making baseball fun has led to unprecedented success for the team, AGS said, with sold-out games, a waitlist of more than 600,000, and a global fan base.
The team has been featured on the Today show, CBS Sunday Morning, HBO’s Real Sports, and ESPN+.
“Jesse’s unparalleled success with the Savannah Bananas perfectly embodies the spirit of ‘Keeping Conclave Weird,’” said Denise Richards, chair of the AGS’s Conclave sub-committee.
“His novel approach to business aligns with our theme, encouraging us to embrace the unconventional and find joy in the unexpected. As we anticipate Conclave 2024, where each moment promises to be exceptional, Jesse’s insights will undoubtedly inspire and entertain our members.”
Conclave 2024 is scheduled for April 15-17 in Austin, Texas.
In addition to Cole, AGS has revealed the names of additional keynote and featured speakers. They are as follows.
Monday, April 15
While Cole is the day’s keynote speaker, Rachel Tipograph will be the featured speaker. Tipograph is the founder and CEO of MikMak, an e-commerce marketing platform for multi-channel users.
Tuesday, April 16
Breakfast keynote: Mick Ebeling, founder of Not Impossible Labs, will discuss pragmatic innovation using technology and storytelling to create life-changing devices.
Featured speaker: Tasha Eurich, a New York Times best-selling author and organizational psychologist, will provide insights on thriving in a dynamic world.
Wednesday, April 16
Breakfast keynote: Peter Katz, a Juno and Canadian Screen Award-nominated singer-songwriter renowned for transformative “keynote concerts,” will inspire connection and shared vision.
Titleholder luncheon keynote and featured speaker: Sylvie Di Giusto, an internationally acclaimed speaker, will explore modern emotional intelligence, guiding audiences to understand perceptions, choose behaviors, and achieve optimal outcomes. Di Giusto is also the featured speaker that day.
“Not only do we have an incredible lineup of professional and industry speakers innovative, we have so many fun, different, and yes, weird experiences planned for our members,” Richard said. “Conclave Austin is going to amaze and delight attendees!”
To learn more about Conclave’s keynote and featured speakers or to register for the event, visit the AGS website.
AGS members can save $200 with early-bird registration, sponsored by the Gemological Institute of America.
Editors' Picks
Sponsored by
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
CollectionsFeb 21, 2025
Piece of the Week: Jade Ruzzo’s ‘Tennessee’ Oval Drop EarringsHeidi Gardner, an SNL cast member, wore the smoky quartz earrings on the “SNL50: The Anniversary Special” red carpet on Sunday.
SourcingFeb 21, 2025
Zambia Lifts 15% Export Duty on Gemstones, Metals The reversal comes less than two months after the Zambian government reinstated the tax in an effort to bring in more money.
MajorsFeb 21, 2025
24 Karat Club of New York Names New PresidentThe organization also announced its newly elected officers and directors.
Brought to you by
Get Ready for the JA New York Spring ShowThis year will feature a new MJSA Showcase and partnership with Piazza Italia.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Anglo Writes Down Value of De Beers by $2.9B As anticipated, Anglo took another impairment charge on the diamond miner and marketer, which saw revenue sink 23 percent in 2024.
Weekly QuizFeb 21, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
Harry Winston’s Son Donates Fancy Red Diamond to the SmithsonianRonald Winston is giving the 2.33-carat “Winston Red” to the Smithsonian, 67 years after his father donated the Hope Diamond.
SourcingFeb 20, 2025
GJEPC Names New Chairman, Vice ChairmanKirit Bhansali, a partner in Smital Gems and chairman of India Jewellery Park, will take on the role of chairman.
Brought to you by
3 Ways to Capitalize on America’s Newfound Love of Colored GemsColored stones are stepping into a jewelry spotlight typically reserved for diamonds—are you ready to sell color?
IndependentsFeb 20, 2025
IJO Elects 4 New Board MembersAlisha Cornett, Nic Faini, Eric Stevens, and Seth Shipley have joined the organization’s board of directors for a three-year term.
CrimeFeb 19, 2025
Brink’s to Pay $42M After Admitting to Illegally Transporting MoneyThe company has to pay the Justice Department and FinCEN for violating the Bank Secrecy Act, the U.S.’s main anti-money laundering law.
SourcingFeb 19, 2025
Diamond Mining Company CEO Steps Down Amid Sales Slump, LayoffsPetra Diamonds Ltd. CEO Richard Duffy resigned as the diamond miner reported a 30 percent drop in sales to start its fiscal year.
ColumnistsFeb 19, 2025
The Smart Lab: Maximizing Your Jewelry Brand on PinterestPinterest is a potential gold mine for jewelry brands, Emmanuel Raheb writes, provided they follow these five tips.
MajorsFeb 19, 2025
Cartier Opens New Store Inside LAXThe boutique is the French luxury brand’s first airport store on the West Coast.
CollectionsFeb 19, 2025
Swarovski’s NYC Flagship Celebrates Ariana Grande CollabThe store’s facade now features the iconic swan logo and campaign images of the “Wicked” star.
Policies & IssuesFeb 18, 2025
New Customs Requirements for Diamond Imports: What We KnowBeginning in April, companies importing diamonds into the United States will have to list the country in which the diamonds were mined.
AuctionsFeb 18, 2025
A Menagerie of Fabergé Coming to Sotheby’sAround 30 whimsical Fabergé animal carvings will go up for auction at Sotheby’s Geneva in May.
SourcingFeb 18, 2025
Celine Assimon Stepping Down as CEO of De Beers JewellersAssimon will be leaving at the end of February after nearly five years with De Beers.
CollectionsFeb 18, 2025
Tabayer Debuts Its First Men’s Jewelry SelectionsDesigns from the brand’s “Oera” collection have been reimagined with modern masculinity in mind.
SourcingFeb 14, 2025
Navneet Gems Now Offering Unheated Montana SapphiresThe wholesale collection features material from the Rock Creek mine in a variety of colors.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Carolyn Rafaelian Partners with ‘Long Island Medium’ StarThe “Divinely Guided” collection, created in collaboration with Theresa Caputo, features symbols that celebrate the power of connection.
CollectionsFeb 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Lorraine West’s Diamond ‘Open Heart’ RingShow some love on Valentine’s Day with this 14-karat yellow gold ring that features pavé diamonds.
CrimeFeb 13, 2025
Macy’s Employee Foils $1.5M Jewelry Theft The employee confronted the thief, causing the suspect to flee and leave behind the suitcases full of jewelry.
SourcingFeb 13, 2025
Namibian Diamond Co. Suspends CEO, COO After Deadly Heist Namib Desert Diamonds also put its security manager on leave following last month’s robbery that left one employee dead.
CollectionsFeb 13, 2025
Royal Chain Releases Its Spring 2025 CatalogMore than 400 new pieces are featured in the supplier’s latest catalog.
TrendsFeb 13, 2025
Amanda’s Style File: Hearts for Valentine’s DayThis curation celebrates love with heart-shaped jewelry of all shapes and sizes.
Policies & IssuesFeb 13, 2025
Jewelers Relief Fund Reopened to Aid Victims of LA Fires The fund is collecting money for jewelry businesses damaged by the wildfires in Los Angeles County.
TrendsFeb 12, 2025
5 Engagement Ring Trends Expected to Rule 2025From chunky bands to vintage diamond cuts and bezel settings, these are the trends experts are seeing take over the bridal market.
