Events & Awards

Sugar Ray Leonard to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

Events & AwardsApr 03, 2024

Sugar Ray Leonard to Give Keynote at JCK Las Vegas

Organizers also announced details for JCK Talks, the show’s educational programming.

Sugar Ray Leonard
Boxing champion and television personality Sugar Ray Leonard will give the keynote address at JCK Las Vegas on Saturday, June 1.
Norwalk, Conn.—JCK has announced professional boxer Sugar Ray Leonard will give the keynote address at its upcoming trade show in Las Vegas.

He will present "The Power to Win!" on Saturday, June 1, in the San Polo Ballroom inside the Venetian. 

Doors will open at 8 a.m. and the session will begin at 8:30 a.m.

Leonard is a boxing champion in five weight divisions, as well as an Olympic gold medalist, and he has been inducted into the International Boxing Hall of Fame, the World Boxing Hall of Fame, and the United States Olympic Hall of Fame.

He is also a bestselling author, television personality, ringside analyst, philanthropist, and founder of the Sugar Ray Leonard Foundation

In his keynote address, Leonard will delve into the universal principles of success, drawing parallels between achievements in athletics and business, JCK said.  

He will provide insights on discipline, focus, determination, preparation, attitude, and overcoming challenges. 

“Sugar Ray Leonard is an enormously charismatic figure, and we are excited for him to share his powerful journey of what it took to reach his dreams of Olympic gold and get to the top of his professional boxing career, and then transition from life as an athlete to a successful entrepreneur,” said Sarin Bachmann, group vice president for the RX jewelry portfolio and event leader for JCK. 

“We know all that attend will leave with renewed enthusiasm and a commitment to being the best.”  

 Related stories will be right here … 

JCK has also announced details for JCK Talks, the show’s educational component.

Free and open to all attendees, the sessions will take place throughout the show, which is slated for May 31 to June 3 and held at the Venetian. Luxury will be open May 29 to June 3 with invitation-only days on May 29-30.

“In addition to the JCK Keynote, the JCK Talks educational programming will feature a purposefully curated, insightful, relevant, and inspiring lineup of sessions, providing attendees with actionable takeaways from subject matter experts and industry thought leaders,” said Bachmann.

The JCK Talks 101 sessions, which JCK said are designed to help show attendees expand their skillsets, will begin Thursday, May 30, conducted in a classroom-style setting off the show floor.   

On the show floor, additional talks are scheduled to take place on the Showcase Stage and Social Stage, from May 31 to June 2. 

The Showcase Stage, located on level 2 of the show floor, will feature sessions each hour, with the first talk beginning at 10 a.m. and the last talk starting at 5 p.m. each day. 

Sessions on this stage will include multiperspective panels and single-speaker sessions.

The sessions are categorized by eight main topics, including hot topics, trends, business management, sales, innovation, sustainability and ethics, development, and marketing.

The JCK Social Stage, also located on level 2, will host 30-minute sessions from 11:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. each day.

On this stage, panel talks and demonstrations will be led by digital strategists, content creators, and influencers.

Presenters will offer practical knowledge on how to enhance online presence and provide actionable takeaways for content creation, social media engagement, growth, and cultivating authenticity. 

Friday’s sessions will focus on content, Saturday’s will be on data and analytics, and Sunday’s will offer how-to education.

The JCK Keynote and JCK Talks sessions are free to all attendees on a first-come seating basis. Seating is limited and a badge is required to attend all sessions.

The full schedule of programming and events are on JCK’s website

Lauren McLemoreis the associate editor, gemstones at National Jeweler, covering sourcing, pricing and other developments.

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