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Events & AwardsApr 18, 2019
‘Fear’ Author Judi Holler to Open JA National Convention
Holler is a speaker, professional improv artist and wrote “Fear Is My Homeboy.”
Speaker and professional improv actor Judi Holler will deliver the opening keynote at Jewelers of America’s National Convention this summer. It is titled “Fear Is My Homeboy: 4 Ways You Can Transform Fear Into a Powerful Secret Weapon.”
New York—Jewelers of America announced Thursday that “Fear Is My Homeboy” author Judi Holler will deliver the opening keynote at its first National Convention, slated to take place next week in New York.
Holler's keynote is scheduled for Sunday, July 28 from 9-10:15 a.m. in the Grand Ballroom at the InterContinental New York Barclay, 111 E. 48th St.
An alumna of The Second City’s Conservatory, the professional training program for Chicago’s famed Second City improv comedy troupe, Holler studied and performed improv at night while working in sales and marketing full time during the day. 
Holler’s keynote at the convention, called “Fear Is My Homeboy: 4 Ways You Can Transform Fear Into a Powerful Secret Weapon” will be “fun and interactive,” JA said.
She’ll use improv to help participants understand how fear can help them and how not to be burdened by it, as well as give them tools to manage fear, both personally and professionally.
Jewelers of America’s first National Convention will take place over two days, July 28 and July 29, at the InterContinental New York Barclay.
The event has four keynotes, including Holler’s opening address, and 12 breakout sessions, as well as hands-on experiences like a laboratory where retailers can try out diamond testing devices.
The entire schedule is available here.
For more information on the convention or to register, visit the JA website.
National Jeweler is a for-profit subsidiary of Jewelers of America, which purchased the publication in 2015. The two organizations act independently of each other.
Editor’s note: This story was updated post-publication to include additional information.
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