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AGS Announces Conclave 2026 Speaker Lineup
The annual event will be held in Orlando, Florida, from Sept. 14-17.
Conclave 2026 will take place Sept. 14-17 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.
Las Vegas—The American Gem Society (AGS) has announced its keynote speaker line-up for Conclave 2026.
The annual event will take place Sept. 14–17 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s keynote speakers were chosen to provide actionable strategies that address the evolving needs of the jewelry industry, said AGS, bringing their perspectives on leadership, service, creativity, and magic.
The opening keynote speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Ben Nemtin, co-founder of The Buried Life movement, which encourages people to embrace “radical possibility,” and the author of “What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?”
He is also a nationally recognized speaker whose message focuses on purpose, resilience, and personal growth.
Wednesday’s breakfast keynote speaker will be Will Guidara, the author of “Unreasonable Hospitality” and former co-owner of New York City restaurant Eleven Madison Park.
Under his leadership, the restaurant earned four New York Times stars, three Michelin stars, and was named No. 1 on the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2017.
Guidara’s keynote will focus on leadership, service, and organizational culture.
Thursday’s breakfast keynote speaker is Deanna Marsigliese, an art director, character designer, and 2D animator at Pixar Animation Studios.
Since 2012, Marsigliese has worked on several films, including “Inside Out,” “Soul,” “Toy Story 4,” and “Luca,” and most recently designed characters for Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.”
On Friday, the Titleholder Luncheon keynote speaker will be David Kwong, a magician, New York Times crossword puzzle constructor, and TED Talk speaker.
Kwong combines illusion and psychology to explore the subjects of perception, influence, and problem-solving for professional audiences.
Related stories will be right here …
The annual event will take place Sept. 14–17 at the Omni Orlando Resort at ChampionsGate in Orlando, Florida.
This year’s keynote speakers were chosen to provide actionable strategies that address the evolving needs of the jewelry industry, said AGS, bringing their perspectives on leadership, service, creativity, and magic.
The opening keynote speaker on Tuesday, Sept. 15, is Ben Nemtin, co-founder of The Buried Life movement, which encourages people to embrace “radical possibility,” and the author of “What Do You Want to Do Before You Die?”
He is also a nationally recognized speaker whose message focuses on purpose, resilience, and personal growth.
Wednesday’s breakfast keynote speaker will be Will Guidara, the author of “Unreasonable Hospitality” and former co-owner of New York City restaurant Eleven Madison Park.
Under his leadership, the restaurant earned four New York Times stars, three Michelin stars, and was named No. 1 on the “World’s 50 Best Restaurants” list in 2017.
Guidara’s keynote will focus on leadership, service, and organizational culture.
Thursday’s breakfast keynote speaker is Deanna Marsigliese, an art director, character designer, and 2D animator at Pixar Animation Studios.
Since 2012, Marsigliese has worked on several films, including “Inside Out,” “Soul,” “Toy Story 4,” and “Luca,” and most recently designed characters for Pixar’s “Inside Out 2.”
On Friday, the Titleholder Luncheon keynote speaker will be David Kwong, a magician, New York Times crossword puzzle constructor, and TED Talk speaker.
Kwong combines illusion and psychology to explore the subjects of perception, influence, and problem-solving for professional audiences.
“Conclave delivers the education, inspiration, and community that AGS members rely on to grow, and we’re excited to bring that experience to Orlando,” said Denise Richards, chair of the Conclave subcommittee.
“There’s something inherently magical about gathering in a place known for imagination and possibility, and that spirit of whimsy is reflected in this year’s keynote lineup. The program is designed to deliver practical ideas attendees can bring straight back to their businesses—strengthening leadership, elevating the client experience and sparking fresh thinking that helps teams perform at their best.”
Alexis Padis, president of the AGS International board of directors, said she’s excited to welcome Conclave 2026 attendees to Orlando.
“Conclave is one of those rare events where you leave feeling recharged, prouder of the work we do, and even more excited about what’s next,” she said.
“Our keynote lineup, along with other plans we have in store, will make it a standout year.”
More information about speakers and education programming will be announced in the coming months, said AGS.
Registration is now open online.
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