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.

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.
The Latest

He retired last month after 28 years traveling the world to source the very best gemstones for his family’s jewelry business, Oscar Heyman.

The charm necklace features six nautical charms of shells and coral that founder Christina Puchi collected on Florida’s beaches.

The organization elected its youngest vice president as it looks to draw in fresh talent.

The Seymour & Evelyn Holtzman Bench Scholarship from Jewelers of America returns for a second year.

Campbell joins the company as vice president of business development while Liebler is the new vice president of operations.


The medals feature a split-texture design highlighting the Games’ first time being hosted by two cities and the athletes’ journeys.

Sponsored by The INSTORE Jewelry Show 2025

The countdown is on for the JCK Las Vegas Show and JA is pulling out all the stops.

Globally, travel and transportation brands reigned, while in the U.S., alcoholic beverage companies and a lingerie brand took the top spots.

The Brooklyn-based jewelry designer is remembered as a true artist and a rare talent.

Production at the mine in Canada’s Northwest Territories topped 1 million carats in Q2, the third consecutive quarter of growth.

The middle class is changing its approach to buying jewelry and affordable luxury goods, the NRF said.

It marks the third consecutive quarter of growth for Cartier, Van Cleef & Arpels, Buccellati, and Vhernier.

The reseller’s market trends report, based on its sales data, also shows exactly how much Rolex prices have jumped since 2010.

The auction house will be hosting a retrospective paying tribute to jeweler Jean Dinh Van and his company’s 60th anniversary.

Jake Duneier and Danielle Duneier-Goldberg have stepped into the roles of CEO and president, respectively.

The “Impermanence” collection contemplates nature through the Japanese art of Ikebana (flower arranging) and philosophy of wabi-sabi.

The Texas-based jewelry retailer has set up shop in Tennessee and Arizona.

In addition to improved capabilities, the acquisition will allow the jeweler to offer support to other independent jewelers.

The “Celestial Blue” capsule collection campaign features Olympian Kateryna Sadurska.

The seasonal store, located in Mykonos, Greece, offers exclusive events, personal styling, and curated experiences.

The New England jeweler is hosting a bridal event for the month of August.

The trade-only event will host its debut fair in the Emerald City later this month.

Its sessions will focus on inventory strategies, staff performance, retention and acquisition, emerging market trends, and more.

For its 10th anniversary, Miseno designed the “Arco” earrings based on the Arco Felice, an arch conceptualized in A.D. 95 in Miseno, Italy.

The jewelry company is one of several contributing to relief efforts in the region after the recent floods.

Inspired by fiancé Sid Wilson’s nickname for her, the white and yellow diamond ring features a unique honeycomb design.