12 JCK Talks Sessions to Add to Your Las Vegas Schedule

Las Vegas—JCK Las Vegas 2026 kicks off this week, and its JCK Talks education sessions are returning.

JCK Las Vegas, located at the Venetian Expo, runs from Friday, May 29, to Monday, June 1, with select areas, including JCK Talks, opening a day earlier on Thursday, May 28.

The JCK Talks education program features industry experts covering topics like business management, AI and analytics, trends, professional development, and regulations.

Attendees can also upgrade their badge to gain access to the new JCK Talks Signature Series, a separate education track that offers education on AI, business, experience marketing, and trend forecasting.

On Thursday, the sessions will take place on the 101 Stage in the Venetian Room 101 on Level 1.

From Friday to Sunday, the JCK Talks sessions will take place on the Showcase and Spotlight stages on the show floor.

They will be divided into the following focused tracks:
11 a.m.: Business Management, Hot Topics
Noon: Customer Experience, AI and Analytics
1 p.m.: Corporate Responsibility
3 p.m.: Marketing, Watches
4 p.m.: Social Media, Retail Trends

These are 12 sessions attendees may want to add to their schedule.

Thursday, May 28

Kicking off the JCK Talks series is “How to JCK: A Smart Guide to Navigating the Show and Maximizing Your Time” on Thursday, May 28, from 10 to 10:45 a.m.

All talks on Thursday will be held on Level 1, Room 101.

The talk will be led by JCK Event Director Jennifer Hopf and JCK Retailer Account Manager Monalisa DePina.

The session will focus on making the most of your time at JCK, including how to navigate the show floor and insider tips for success. There will also be a live Q&A with the JCK team.

Next up is “The Jewelry Industry Today: Insights Through Data” from 11 to 11:45 a.m.

Industry analyst Edahn Golan of Edahn Golan Diamond Research & Data Ltd. will guide attendees through the current state of the diamond jewelry market, including a breakdown of the U.S. market’s performance.

Golan will cover important trends and provide an outlook for the rest of the year.

Friday, May 29

On Friday, May 29, Edge Retail Academy CEO Becka Johnson Kibby will present “Rethinking Retail Leadership: Lessons from High-Achieving Store Owners.”

It will be held from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on the Spotlight Stage.

Kibby will highlight how store owners and managers are excelling as retail evolves, sharing practical insights on how retailers can adapt to change and drive results.

During that same time slot, the “State of the Diamond Industry” session will be held on the Showcase Stage.

Topics will include what today's consumers think about natural diamonds and how retailers and industry leaders are responding.

Panelists include Rob Bates of the Jewelry Wire; John Carter, president and CEO of Jack Lewis Jewelers; Pritesh Patel, president and CEO of the Gemological Institute of America; Amber Pepper, CEO of the Natural Diamond Council; Sabyasachi Ray, executive director of GJEPC; and Stuart Samuels, a principal of Premier Gem.

In the afternoon, attendees can head to “Tech That Works: AI and Tools to Boost Your Business” from noon to 12:45 p.m. on the Showcase Stage.

Jennifer Shaheen, founder and president of Technology Therapy Group, will lead a session on the basics of effectively working with AI, tailored to both newcomers and those with some experience exploring the technology.

Shaheen will dive into the tools and platforms retailers should know about and how to get the best results.

Next up is “Navigating Regulation & Compliance for Jewelers in 2026” from 1 to 1:45 p.m. on the Spotlight Stage.

The session will be led by Sara Yood, president, CEO, and general counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee, and Liz Fraccaro, assistant counsel at JVC.

It will give attendees an overview of the key legal and regulatory developments impacting the jewelry industry.

Topics of discussion will include tariffs, current anti-money laundering obligations, and guidance on industry compliance.

The session will also cover compliance considerations for “Made in the USA” claims amid increased federal enforcement, and the recent state-level requirements for product packaging and labeling, especially regarding batteries.

Later in the day, trend experts will lead “Shaping the Future: Trends in Engagement and Fashion Jewelry” on the Showcase Stage from 4 to 4:45 p.m.

Panelists include Amanda Gizzi, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Jewelers of America; Karen Fox, shop manager at Fox Fine Jewelry; Natalie Francisco, associate editor, fashion, at National Jeweler; and Esther Lee, editorial director for The Knot.

The session will focus on the trends shaping engagement and fashion jewelry and how retailers can turn those trends into opportunity.

Topics include shifting consumer values, the rise of personalization, sustainability, and discovery via social media.

Saturday, May 30

On Saturday morning, showgoers can attend “State of the Lab-Grown Diamond Industry” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on the Showcase Stage.

Lab-grown diamond experts will discuss the hot topic, including the current market, pricing, consumer perception, and retail opportunity.

Panelists include Rob Bates of the Jewelry Wire; Samuel Jansen, strategic advisor and industry consultant at Jansen Creations; Angelo Palmieri, president of GCAL by Sarine; Leon Peres, CEO of Green Rocks Products LLC; and Brett Riddle of Riddle’s Group.

In the afternoon, watch experts will take part in “Keeping Time: Trends Every Watch Retailer Should Know” from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on the Spotlight Stage.

Panelists include watch journalist Barbara Palumbo; Hamza Masood, head of partnerships at WatchCharts; Kathleen McGivney, CEO of watch collecting community RedBar; and Derek Mon, co-owner of Carat & Co. and a content creator also known as “MinuteMon.”

The speakers, who hail from various watch industry backgrounds, will discuss how to navigate the watch world and which trends to pay attention to this year.

Sunday, May 31

On Sunday morning, attendees can go to “State of the Colored Gemstone Industry” from 11 to 11:45 a.m. on the Showcase Stage.

Industry experts will discuss the gemstone supply chain, consumer sentiment, trends, and the market forces that impact what's available and what's selling.

Panelists include Victoria Gomelsky, editor-in-chief of JCK magazine; Bruce Bridges, president of the American Gem Trade Association; Kimberly Collins, founder and CEO of Kimberly Collins Curated Gemstones & Fine Jewelry; Danny Shaftel of Shaftel Diamonds; and Jessie Vaughn of Lux Bond & Green.

In the afternoon, “Your Brand, Your Story: Building and Growing Your Personal Brand” will be held from 3 to 3:45 p.m. on the Showcase Stage.

The session will focus on how retail jewelers and industry professionals can shape their identity while also bolstering their company’s brand.

Topics include social media and in-person presence and personal style, with practical ideas on how to tell your story and amplify your industry impact.

Panelists include Jen Cullen Williams, founder of Jen Cullen Williams Communications and Jen Cullen Williams Consulting; Shea Curry, founder and CEO of Catch Social; Thomas Davis, director of business development at Select Jewelry Inc.; Elizabeth Gibson of Eliza Paige; and Nikia Levesque, vice president of marketing at Day's Jewelers.

Later in the day, “Expanding Your Offerings: Specialty Items and Accessories for Jewelers” will take place from 4 to 4:45 p.m. on the Showcase Stage.

Panelists include Emili Vesilind, editor-in-chief of Gem + Jewel magazine; Harris Botnick, president of Worthmore Jewelers; Karen Giberson, president and CEO of the Accessories Council; and retailer Laura Kitsos of Gem.

Speakers will delve into the advantages and challenges of buying and merchandising non-jewelry categories to be sold alongside fine jewelry. They’ll talk about how to select categories, where to source non-jewelry merchandise, and how to market new categories to customers.

To see all the JCK Talks sessions, visit the JCK show website.