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CBG Announces Speaker Lineup for 2026 Miami Event
The January show will include a workshop for jewelry retailers on implementing AI to strengthen their businesses.
The Continental Buying Group’s Miami event is set for Jan. 19-21, 2026.
Miami—The Continental Buying Group has announced the speaker lineup for its Miami event next year.
The three-day show will take place Jan. 19-21, 2026, at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida.
It will feature opportunities for networking and private buying, as well as educational offerings.
On Monday, Jan. 19, Sara E. Yood, president, CEO, and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will provide an in-depth look at the current legal, regulatory, and ethical landscape shaping the industry heading into 2026.
Rob Bates, the award-winning longtime news director of JCK, will present on Tuesday, Jan. 20, sharing his perspective on the state of the jewelry business, the forces shaping consumer behavior, and the emerging trends for the upcoming year.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Jennifer Shaheen, founder and president of Technology Therapy Group, will lead an immersive, hands-on workshop on using artificial intelligence (AI).
The workshop, titled “AI-Powered Retail: Transform Your Business with ChatGPT and Claude,” will cover mastering strategic prompting, competitive intelligence via review analysis, professional image evaluation and content creation, and choosing the right AI tool.
Shaheen will share practical, real-world use cases specific to jewelry operations and provide attendees with ready-to-use prompts, repeatable frameworks, and actionable strategies that can be immediately applied to elevate sales, marketing, and operations.
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The three-day show will take place Jan. 19-21, 2026, at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida.
It will feature opportunities for networking and private buying, as well as educational offerings.
On Monday, Jan. 19, Sara E. Yood, president, CEO, and general counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, will provide an in-depth look at the current legal, regulatory, and ethical landscape shaping the industry heading into 2026.
Rob Bates, the award-winning longtime news director of JCK, will present on Tuesday, Jan. 20, sharing his perspective on the state of the jewelry business, the forces shaping consumer behavior, and the emerging trends for the upcoming year.
On Wednesday, Jan. 21, Jennifer Shaheen, founder and president of Technology Therapy Group, will lead an immersive, hands-on workshop on using artificial intelligence (AI).
The workshop, titled “AI-Powered Retail: Transform Your Business with ChatGPT and Claude,” will cover mastering strategic prompting, competitive intelligence via review analysis, professional image evaluation and content creation, and choosing the right AI tool.
Shaheen will share practical, real-world use cases specific to jewelry operations and provide attendees with ready-to-use prompts, repeatable frameworks, and actionable strategies that can be immediately applied to elevate sales, marketing, and operations.
Throughout the morning sessions, CBG supplier partners will debut new products, highlight emerging innovations, and provide insights to help retailers capitalize on early-season opportunities.
Matt Tratner, president of CBG, said this year’s program was designed to be practical, hands-on, and immediately useful.
“Retailers will walk out of the CBG sessions and workshop with real tools they can apply the moment they get home, whether that is understanding the legal landscape, navigating the latest industry trends, or using AI to strengthen their sales, marketing, and day-to-day operations. Our goal is simple: give our members the clearest, most effective path to grow their business in the year ahead,” Tratner said.
Joe Murphy, CEO of CBG, added, “CBG’s mission has always been to give our retailers and suppliers the strongest community, the most trusted relationships, and the highest-value information in the industry.
“[The] Miami event continues that tradition with content that is timely, strategic, and deeply relevant to the challenges and opportunities ahead. Our speakers represent the very best voices in our field, and we are committed to delivering education that empowers our members to thrive in 2026 and beyond.”
For more information and to register for the Miami event, visit CBG’s website.
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