Events & Awards

AGS Reveals Rest of Keynote Lineup for Conclave

Events & AwardsOct 31, 2016

AGS Reveals Rest of Keynote Lineup for Conclave

The “Retail Doctor” Bob Phibbs and violinist Kai Kight will be among the featured and keynote speakers at the American Gem Society event in Hollywood next April.

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The remaining keynote and featured speakers for Conclave 2017 include (clockwise from top left) violinist Kai Kight, “Retail Doctor” Bob Phibbs, internet marketing expert Todd Hartley, Ford Saeks, who came up with the “Market Domination Formula,” and author Scott McKain.

Las Vegas--The American Gem Society has released the name of the remaining keynote and featured speakers for Conclave 2017, set to take place in Hollywood next April.

For the breakfast keynote on April 6, author and retail authority Scott McKain will speak.

McKain helps organizations create distinction in every phase of their business and teaches them how to deliver a great customer experience, the AGS said.

He is the author of three No. 1 business best-sellers on Amazon.com, all of which teach how to expand profits, increase sales and engage customers.

At the closing keynote on April 8, violinist and composer Kai Kight will perform and share stories from his journey as an artist.

On the featured speakers list are the “Retail Doctor” Bob Phibbs, Todd Hartley and Ford Saeks.

“Doctor” Phibbs is set to give three sessions on April 5 and 6. He is the author of three books and has worked with brands such as Hearts On Fire, Omega, Lego and Vera Bradley as a retail sales expert. Phibbs has more than 30 years of experience in retail.

Hartley is the featured speaker on April 6. A respected expert in internet marketing who frequently speaks at technology conferences, his past talks have included “Where Google is Headed,” “How to Go Viral” and “Why Content Marketing is King.” He’s also the creator of WireBuzz, a company that produces videos and marketing strategies.

On April 7, Sakes, who came up with the “Market Domination Formula,” will speak. The formula applies reverse psychology to the customer engagement model, putting the influence in the buyer’s hands rather than the hands of the seller.

The release of the remainder of the keynote and featured speakers lineup follows AGS’s announcement that both Jay Leno, of “The Tonight Show” fame, and boxing champion Sugar Ray Leonard will be appearing at Conclave.

Conclave is scheduled to take place from Wednesday, April 5 to Saturday, April 8 at the Loews Hollywood Hotel.

For more information, visit the Conclave page on the AGS website.

Michelle Graffis the editor-in-chief at National Jeweler, directing the publication’s coverage both online and in print.

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