Five renowned speakers will present programs throughout the four-day American Gem Society International Conclave 2007, to be held April 25-28 at the Denver (Colo.) Marriott City Center.

Jim Collins, Andrea Learned, Renée Mauborgne, Scott Ginsberg, and Ross Shafer will appear at the Conclave.

Jim Collins has invested more than a decade of research into successful businesses. Collins has authored four books, including GOOD TO GREAT: Why Some Companies Make the Leap…And Others Don’t, which topped the New York Times, Wall Street Journal, and Business Week bestseller lists. Collins has developed practical tools for senior executives and CEOs at more than 100 companies, and has also worked with social sector organizations, such as Johns Hopkins Medical School, The Girl Scouts of the USA, and the United States Marine Corps.

Andrea Learned is the founder and president of Learned on Women, as well as co-author of Don’t Think Pink: What Really Makes Women Buy and How to Increase Your Share of this Crucial Market. Learned’s marketing philosophy centers around the concept of “transparent marketing”—developing a deeper understanding of gender roles, lifestyles, and generational experiences. Companies will develop authentic connections with their market going beyond the stereotypical marketing techniques creating rich, relevant, and lasting relationships with their customers.

Renée Mauborgne is one of the world’s premier experts on business strategy, innovation and wealth creation in the knowledge economy. As co-author of the book Blue Ocean Strategy: How to Create Uncontested Market Space and Make the Competition Irrelevant, Mauborgne brings business audiences an important breakthrough in strategic business thinking. Mauborgne considers “Blue Oceans” to be untapped markets, and her presentation will focus on how companies can define a new market space for themselves. Hearts On Fire will sponsor Mauborgne’s appearance at International Conclave 2007.

As the only person in the world who wears a name tag all day, every day, Scott Ginsberg has made it his mission to help people be friendlier and more approachable. Ginsberg, 26, has carved a niche for himself in the international business community through the publication of three books, as well as speaking engagements, and interviews on the “Today Show,” “CNN Headline News,” and the Wall Street Journal.

Emmy Award winner, author, comedian, and failed pet shop manager turned network TV host, Ross Shafer, is, as his friend Jay Leno put it, “a motivational speaker without the speech.” Schafer, who saw great success with his book Nobody Moved Your Cheese, will be making his second Conclave appearance. He has written several other books, including the comedic delight Cook Like a Stud. Recently, Shafer founded the Customer Empathy Institute(TM) focusing on customer service. Shafer has worked with companies such as Microsoft, Nordstrom, Wells Fargo, and Federal Express, just to name a few.

Conclave also will include a welcome reception featuring fare by Gourmet magazine, a fashion show presented by Vogue, an in-room educational event titled, Breakfast in Bed, and Access AGS, a 24-hour-a-day source for Conclave information hosted by Ross Shafer.

American Gem Society members can register for International Conclave 2007 at AmericanGemSociety.org/conclave. Non-members interested in attending should contact Wendy Stevens at conclave07@ags.org or toll-free at 866.805.6500 extension 1018.

JCK