AGS CONCLAVE DRAWS WELL; GIA'S KOIVULA WINS SHIPLEY
The 677 jewelers who attended the 1996 American Gem Society conclave in Washington, D.C., were treated to a trio of eloquent speakers - Guy Kawasaki (who talked about beating the competition), Maurice Tempelsman (who spoke about new competition) and Gabi Tolkowsky (who waxed lyrical about diamonds in general and the Centenary diamond in particular).
They also enjoyed a sentimental, and slightly awestruck, salute to former Executive Director Al Woodill, who was attending his 50th consecutive conclave. And they gave a standing ovation to this year's winner of the coveted Shipley Award - John Koivula, GIA's distinguished gemologist and author.
The conclave included a wide range of seminars on gemological and business topics. AGS officers were particularly pleased with the response to a new home-study course for sales associates and s