It’s show time! JCK Las Vegas is back at The Venetian Expo, with festivities kicking off Friday, June 10. Hallelujah! And just in time for the show’s 30th anniversary. (JCK’s sister show, Luxury, is also back—and opens to invited guests on Wednesday, June 8.)
As the biggest event on the jewelry industry’s calendar, JCK is also an occasion for partner organizations to host their own galas and networking opportunities, including the Diamonds Do Good evening event on Thursday, June 9; the Indian Diamond and Colorstone Association’s 38th annual awards gala on Saturday, June 11; and on Sunday, June 12, the Jewelers for Children Facets of Hope Awards Gala and the Le Vian 23rd Red Carpet Revue: 2023 Trend Forecast & Fashion Show.
Below, we’ve cherry-picked the educational highlights of the week. All events take place in person in The Venetian Expo, and all times are Pacific Time. See you there!
ATTEND
JCK Talks Education: June 9 (all day)
The JCK Talks education program returns to arm attendees with the tools and insights they need to succeed in the current retail climate. Encounter the full range of retail strategists, experts, and trend forecasters in rooms 101 and 102 on level 1 of The Venetian Expo.
JCK Opening Keynote Address With Swan Sit: June 10, 8:15 a.m.
Swan Sit, the former global head of digital marketing at Nike, Estée Lauder, and Revlon, delivers a future-facing opening keynote address entitled “Web3 Is Coming—Navigating the Past, Present, and Future of Retail.” The hourlong presentation, sponsored by Sarine and taking place in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5, will cover the importance of strategy development for new audiences, including the best use of platforms for the next generation; community development on Web3; and what retail brands will look like in the metaverse.
JCK Talks Sessions on Showcase Stage: June 10–12, 10 a.m.–6 p.m.
For your daily dose of education, head to the Showcase Stage on level 2 to hear featured speakers and panel discussions on daily topics including:
- Trends at 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., with sessions focused on design, style, and consumer shopping trends
- Responsibility at 11 a.m., with sessions focused on responsible sourcing, sustainability, and diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI)
- Sales at 1 p.m., with sessions dedicated to team building, customer loyalty, and storytelling conversion
- Relevance at 3 p.m., with deep dives into NFTs, Web3, and digital fraud prevention
- Retail Innovation at 4 p.m. including a focus on technology, clienteling, and the in-store experience
- Marketing at 5 p.m., including sessions on social media, video content creation, and digital marketing
WJA Breakfast in San Polo Ballroom on June 11 at 8 a.m.
The Women’s Jewelry Association’s breakfast fundraiser, in the San Polo Ballroom on level 3 of The Venetian, is headlined by keynote speaker Karine Bah Tahé, founder and CEO of Blue Level Training, a Black woman–owned enterprise focused on DEI training. Breakfast begins at 8 a.m., and the presentation starts at 8:15 a.m. There will be time for networking at the end. Don’t forget to buy a ticket ($35 for members; $45 for nonmembers).
JCK Rocks + Hamilton–Remix Show and After-Party: June 11, 7:30 p.m.
For its 30th anniversary, JCK is bringing back its popular, high-energy JCK Rocks event featuring Miguel Cervantes, currently playing the title role in Hamilton on Broadway, and other current and former Hamilton cast members for an unforgettable performance of Hamilton–Remix. The show includes iconic songs from the 11-time Tony Award–winning musical, as well as new tunes that are fresh takes on Hamilton classics. The event, which will be held in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5, kicks off at 7:30 p.m. with a networking reception, followed by the performance at 9 p.m. and a 30th-anniversary after-party, where attendees will have a chance to meet the cast!
Plumb Club’s 30th-Anniversary Celebration: June 11, 5:30 p.m.
Ahead of JCK Rocks, the Plumb Club will host a 30th-anniversary cocktail party in its pavilion on Saturday from 5:30 to 7 p.m., where attendees will enjoy specialty cocktails, champagne, wine, cheese, cake, and light entertainment.
Rapaport Breakfast and Social Responsibility Conference: June 12, 8 a.m. and 1 p.m.
It’s a Rapaport doubleheader. Martin Rapaport, the diamond industry’s best-known and arguably most provocative analyst, hosts his annual breakfast presentation in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5 from 8 to 10 a.m. Expect to hear the latest on Russian sanctions, including their impact on diamond pricing and availability.
At 1 p.m., Rapaport turns his attention to social responsibility—in the Lando Room on level 4. The three-hour event will tackle topics such as artisanal mining and fair trade, the role of organizations such as the Responsible Jewellery Council and the Kimberley Process, and the ethical considerations involved in buying Russian diamonds.
Top: Sterling silver and gemstone initial necklaces on 18-inch chains (stone composition varies with each letter), $200 each; Phillip Gavriel
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