JCK Jewelry Agenda: Week of May 24

By Victoria Gomelsky | May 21, 2026

The truth about JCK Las Vegas, which opens at the Venetian Expo this week, is that people come to the show to buy, but they stay for the seminars. Year after year, JCK Talks, the show’s robust educational program, offers a little something for everyone, from watch nuts to marketing newbies, colored stone lovers to diamond devotees, responsible sourcing advocates to Gen Zers.

Below, we’ve cherry-picked our favorite sessions, many of them led by JCK editors and longtime friends. The sessions take place across a few locations—the 101 Stage, the Showcase Stage, and the Spotlight Stage. All times are Pacific. See you there!

Thursday, May 28

What’s Keeping Retailers Up at Night: Jewelry’s Biggest Challenges: noon

JCK contributing editor Karen Dybis leads a panel discussion exploring the challenges that face anyone running a jewelry store in 2026, from staffing shortages and razor-thin margins to the pressure to compete online. (Level 1, Room 101)

Where the Customers Are: Driving Traffic in Today’s Market: 2 p.m.

JCK contributing editor Amy Elliott moderates a dynamic discussion—featuring panelists Becka Johnson Kibby, CEO, Edge Retail Academy and leading retailers Kathleen Kimball of George Thompson Diamond Co., Fernanda Durmer of Universal Deco, and Dalton Powell of Oz’s Jewelers—about the most effective strategies for driving in-store traffic. (Level 1, Room 101)

Friday, May 29

State of the Diamond Industry: 11 a.m.

JCK contributing editor Rob Bates, together with key representatives from the diamond trade, tackles tough questions about the future of the trade and emerging opportunities in a rapidly changing market in this can’t-miss panel discussion. (Showcase Stage)

Gen Z Jewelry Shoppers: Trends, Preferences, and Insights: noon

Once again, JCK’s Karen Dybis leads an expert panel discussion, this time focused on Gen Z and millennials—what actually drives their buying decisions, where they’re discovering new brands, and what keeps them coming back. (Spotlight Stage)

Marketing That Connects With All Demographics: 3 p.m.

An all-star lineup of panelists—including moderator Anna Samsonova; Cameron Barr, founder and CEO of vintage watch dealer Craft + Tailored; Emily Chelsea, owner and founder of Emily Chelsea Jewelry; Shahla Karimi, founder and creative director of Shahla Karimi Jewelry; and Constance Polamalu, chief operating officer of Zachary’s Jewelers—explore how marketing strategies can evolve to connect with different demographics without losing brand identity. (Showcase Stage)

The New Watch Customer: Understanding How Gen Z Is Reshaping the Watch Market: 3 p.m.

Clio Godreche of the Fondation Haute Horlogerie speaks to watch influencers and experts—including WatchPro’s Ella Kirby, aBlogtoWatch’s Sean Paul Lorentzen, and Trang Trinh, founder of Girls O’Clock—about what distinguishes Gen Z’s purchasing behaviors and expectations. (Spotlight Stage)

Maximizing Reach: Strategies for Successful Influencer Campaigns: 4 p.m.

This session, moderated by PR and communications consultant Jen Cullen Williams, brings together influencers and industry insiders to share real-world examples of collaborations that work, how to navigate budgets and expectations, and what success looks like beyond just likes and views. (Spotlight Stage)

Shaping the Future: Trends in Engagement and Fashion Jewelry: 4 p.m.

Amanda Gizzi, senior vice president of corporate affairs for Jewelers of America, and a group of bridal experts unpack the trends shaping the future of engagement and fashion jewelry and share actionable insights to turn trends into opportunity. (Showcase Stage)

Saturday, May 30

State of the Lab-Grown Diamond Industry: 11 a.m.

Rob Bates and top lab-grown experts discuss the market’s current standing, from pricing pressures and consumer perception to retail strategy and long-term opportunities. (Showcase Stage)

The Trend Shift: How Digital Culture and Celebrities Influence Jewelry Buyers: 4 p.m.

Monica Elias, CEO and executive producer of Elias World Media, speaks to influencer-designer Julia Chafé, PR maven Ginnina D’Orazio, and jewelry designer Shahla Karimi about the big moments driving jewelry conversations right now and what they mean for the shop floor. (Showcase Stage)

Sunday, May 31

State of the Colored Gemstone Industry: 11 a.m.

JCK editor-in-chief Victoria Gomelsky moderates a panel discussion about how customization and self-expression are reshaping what jewelry customers want—and why colored stones are at the center of it. (Showcase Stage)

Tailored Experiences: Meeting the Needs of Watch and Jewelry Shoppers: noon

Victoria Gomelsky is back with another panel of experts—three leading retailers from around the country—but this time they’re talking about what it means to guide a first-time buyer, navigate a complex custom project, or introduce a tech-forward shopper to fine jewelry for the first time. From the sales floor to the design bench, panelists will discuss the conversations, processes, and instincts that turn browsers into loyal clients. (Spotlight Stage)

What Responsible Business Actually Looks Like in a Retail Environment: 1 p.m.

What does responsible business really look like at the store level? This panel, led by Brandee Dallow of Grandview Klein Diamonds and board president of Community for Ethical Jewelry, brings together retailers who are putting principles into practice—from ethical sourcing and transparent storytelling to sustainable packaging and operational changes that customers actually notice. (Spotlight Stage)

Expanding Your Offerings: Specialty Items and Accessories for Jewelers: 4 p.m.

On a panel moderated by Emili Vesilind of Gem + Jewel, retailers and consultants discuss the advantages and challenges of buying and merchandising non-jewelry categories to sit alongside fine jewelry in stores. (Showcase Stage)

Your Brand, Your Story: Building and Growing Your Personal Brand: 3 p.m.

PR pro Jen Cullen Williams looks at how retail jewelers and industry professionals can shape their own identity while also supporting and elevating their company’s brand. Panelists from retail, brand, and agency backgrounds will share real-world insights on everything from social media and in-person presence to personal style. (Showcase Stage)

Top: The crowded halls of the Venetian Expo on opening day of JCK (photo: Camilla Sjodin)