Events & AwardsJan 28, 2025
Here Is the 2025 AGTA GemFair Tucson Educational LineupEvents & AwardsJan 23, 2025
Plumb Club Announces Speaker Lineup for Symposium ‘25
The second annual learning forum for retailers is slated for March 13 at City Winery in Pier 57 in New York City.
The speakers at Symposium ’25 include, (top row, from left to right) Erica Keswin, Paul Aaron, Chris Voss, (middle row) Seth Mattison, Sheena Iyengar, Victoria Gomelsky, (bottom row) Frank Cespedes, and Charles Duhigg.
New York—The Plumb Club, in partnership with JCK and its sponsor Jewelers Mutual, will present its second annual Symposium this spring.
Symposium ’25 is slated for March 13 at City Winery in Pier 57 in New York City, the day before the Gem Awards.
The one-day event will offer retailer-focused learning and executive networking, said The Plumb Club.
Industry leaders, top retail executives, and key buyers will be invited to attend the event, organizers said.
Organizers previously announced some changes have been made based on retailer feedback on last year’s event.
There will be a new format, venue, and roster of key topics and speakers, all shaped by input from the event’s retail advisory committee.
“We were thrilled with the success of our inaugural Symposium event in 2024, and we got great feedback from attendees. Additionally, we learned about the needs and desires of the attending retailers. This is why we created a committee of renowned retail companies to help us build the most comprehensive event, filled with information that directly impacts our customers,” said Roger Forman, president of The Plumb Club.
“An informed and knowledgeable industry is beneficial for everyone. Symposium ’25 further underscores two key pillars of The Plumb Club, which are education and innovation in the jewelry space.”
Related stories will be right here …
Symposium ’25 is slated for March 13 at City Winery in Pier 57 in New York City, the day before the Gem Awards.
The one-day event will offer retailer-focused learning and executive networking, said The Plumb Club.
Industry leaders, top retail executives, and key buyers will be invited to attend the event, organizers said.
Organizers previously announced some changes have been made based on retailer feedback on last year’s event.
There will be a new format, venue, and roster of key topics and speakers, all shaped by input from the event’s retail advisory committee.
“We were thrilled with the success of our inaugural Symposium event in 2024, and we got great feedback from attendees. Additionally, we learned about the needs and desires of the attending retailers. This is why we created a committee of renowned retail companies to help us build the most comprehensive event, filled with information that directly impacts our customers,” said Roger Forman, president of The Plumb Club.
“An informed and knowledgeable industry is beneficial for everyone. Symposium ’25 further underscores two key pillars of The Plumb Club, which are education and innovation in the jewelry space.”
The day will begin at 8 a.m. with a networking breakfast buffet, followed by a keynote speech from 9 to 9:50 a.m. by Erica Keswin, brand advisor and workplace strategist.
Her session titled “Becoming a Great Human Leader in the Age of AI” will discuss employee engagement, retention, and work-life balance.
After, there will be a breakout session from 10 to 10:50 a.m. on implementing the fundamentals of HR and employee engagement in various businesses.
Next, from 11 a.m. to noon, “Jewelry’s Next Frontier: Unlocking AI for Innovation” will be presented by Paul Aaron, CEO and co-founder of Addition, an AI research and development company, who will speak on AI jewelry applications.
After a break for lunch, Chris Voss, former FBI lead hostage negotiator and CEO and founder of Black Swan Group Ltd., will discuss employee engagement and communications in his keynote from 1:30 to 2:30 p.m.
Two presentations, track A and track B, will be offered from 2:45 to 3:35 p.m.
In track A, “Common Ground - Driving Growth Across the Generations,” workforce strategist and management trend spotter Seth Mattison will speak on the areas of connection across generations, both within the company and for the customer.
Meanwhile, Sheena Iyengar, director of global leadership at Matrix, will present “Think Bigger: Make Meaningful Choices to Spark Innovation.” Her presentation will focus on the power of choice and on meaningful choices to spark innovation.
Two presentations will also be offered from 3:45 to 4:35 p.m.
As track A, a panel of retailers and suppliers will speak on how each discipline can aid each other. It will be moderated by Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK Magazine.
At the same time, Frank Cespedes, professor and senior lecturer at Harvard University and faculty chair of the Aligning Strategy and Sales executive program at Harvard Business School, will present a two-part session titled “Sales and Performance Management – Giving Effective Feedback.”
He will lead a case study that continues into track B of the next session's time frame.
The final grouping of sessions will run from 4:45 to 5:35 p.m., with journalist Charles Duhigg, host of the “How-To!” podcast, presenting “Super Communicators: The Power of Conversation and Hidden Language of Connection.” He will discuss how people communicate and how to navigate important conversations to connect with anyone.
The event will conclude with a cocktail reception from 5:35 to 8 p.m., including interactive wine tastings and cheese pairings with expert sommeliers.
Retailers interested in attending the event can register for consideration and find more information on The Plumb Club’s website.
More on Events & Awards
The Latest
Policies & IssuesNov 14, 2025
U.S., Switzerland Reach Deal That Drops Tariff to 15%The Swiss government announced the deal, which cuts the tax on Swiss imports by more than half, on social media Friday morning.
AuctionsNov 14, 2025
Napoleon’s Diamond Brooch Blows Away Auction Estimates A buyer paid $4.4 million for the piece, which Napoleon wore on his hat for special occasions and left behind when he fled Waterloo.
FinancialsNov 14, 2025
Richemont’s Q2 Jewelry Sales Up 12%Plus, how tariffs and the rising price of gold are affecting its watch and jewelry brands.
Brought to you by
Roseco Releases New Full-Line CatalogRoseco’s 704-page catalog showcases new lab-grown diamonds, findings, tools & more—available in print or interactive digital editions.
CollectionsNov 14, 2025
Piece of the Week: Silvia Furmanovich’s ‘Butterflies in Flight’ Jewelry BoxFurmanovich designed the box to hold Mellerio’s “Color Queen,” a high jewelry collection consisting of 10 rings.
Weekly QuizNov 13, 2025
This Week’s QuizTest your jewelry news knowledge by answering these questions.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
127-Year-Old New Orleans Jeweler to CloseAdler’s Jewelry is set to close its two stores as 82-year-old owner Coleman E. Adler II retires.
IndependentsNov 13, 2025
Green Lake Jewelry Works to Move to New Seattle StudioFounder Jim Tuttle shared how a dedication to craftsmanship and meaningful custom jewelry fueled the retailer’s double-digit growth.
Brought to you by
Jewelers of America Aligns New Mission to Create Meaningful Impact for MembersFrom educational programs, advocacy, and recent MJSA affiliation, Jewelers of America drives progress that elevates businesses of all sizes.
MajorsNov 13, 2025
Vahan Jewelry Founder Leon ‘Sacha’ Der Calousdian Dies at 85The third-generation jeweler is remembered as a passionate creative with a love of art, traveling and sailboat racing.
CrimeNov 12, 2025
Father, Son Jewelers in Chicago Victims in Double Homicide JSA and Cook County Crime Stoppers are both offering rewards for information leading to the arrest of the suspect or suspects involved.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
‘Mellon Blue’ Diamond Sells for $7M Less Than It Did a Decade AgoA buyer paid $25.6 million for the diamond at Christie’s on Tuesday. In 2014, Sotheby’s sold the same stone for $32.6 million.
AuctionsNov 12, 2025
Historic Rolex Oyster Fetches $1.7M at Sotheby’sMercedes Gleitze famously wore the watch in her 1927 swim across the English Channel, a pivotal credibility moment for the watchmaker.
GradingNov 12, 2025
It’s Time: GIA’s Express Holiday Service Is Back GIA is offering next-day services for natural, colorless diamonds submitted to its labs in New York and Carlsbad.
MajorsNov 10, 2025
Jewelers Focus on Love, Joy In 2025 Holiday Campaigns Tiffany & Co., David Yurman, and Pandora have launched holiday campaigns depicting their jewelry as symbols of affection and happiness.
SurveysNov 10, 2025
5 Things Retailers Should Know About Holiday Shoppers This YearThe National Retail Federation is bullish on the holidays, forecasting retail sales to exceed $1 trillion this year.
AuctionsNov 10, 2025
300+ Colored Diamonds Up for Auction at Christie’sLate collector Eddy Elzas assembled “The Rainbow Collection,” which is offered as a single lot and estimated to fetch up to $3 million.
EditorsNov 07, 2025
Piece of the Week: An MVP’s Sapphire Tennis Necklace At the 2025 World Series, the Los Angeles Dodgers’ Yoshinobu Yamamoto sported a custom necklace made by California retailer Happy Jewelers.
IndependentsNov 07, 2025
Foundrae’s New Palm Beach Location Is a ‘Golden Solarium’The brand’s seventh location combines Foundrae’s symbolic vocabulary with motifs from Florida’s natural surroundings.
FinancialsNov 07, 2025
Watches of Switzerland’s H1 Sales Up 8%The retailer also shared an update on the impact of tariffs on watch customers.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
Pink Tourmaline Bracelet, Emerald Suite Take Top Spectrum Honors Pink and purple stones were popular in the AGTA’s design competition this year, as were cameos and ocean themes.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Greenwich St. Jewelers Hosts Raffle Supporting Food RescueAll proceeds from the G. St x Jewel Boxing raffle will go to City Harvest, which works to end hunger in New York City.
IndependentsNov 06, 2025
Cornell’s Jewelers Names New PresidentCourtney Cornell is part of the third generation to lead the Rochester, New York-based jeweler.
SourcingNov 06, 2025
De Beers’ Production, Sales Increase in Q3 De Beers also announced more changes in its upper ranks ahead of parent company Anglo American’s pending sale of the company.
WatchesNov 05, 2025
Shinola President Steps Down Just as He Starts Former Signet CEO Mark Light will remain president of Shinola until a replacement for Ulrich Wohn is found.
AuctionsNov 05, 2025
Taylor Swift’s Engagement Ring Designer Makes Her Auction DebutKindred Lubeck of Artifex has three rings she designed with Anup Jogani in Sotheby’s upcoming Gem Drop sale.
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Pandora Posts Modest Q3 Sales Growth Amid ‘Weak’ Consumer Sentiment The company focused on marketing in the third quarter and introduced two new charm collections, “Pandora Talisman” and “Pandora Minis.”
FinancialsNov 05, 2025
Brilliant Earth’s Q3 Sales Climb 10%The jewelry retailer raised its full-year guidance, with CFO Jeff Kuo describing the company as “very well positioned” for the holidays.
