Conclave features dynamic general sessions and numerous memorable events, offering excellent networking opportunities within the AGS community. Scroll down for daily overviews; full event details and locations will be in the mobile app upon release.
Registration is priced at $200 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum registration of 32 individuals. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Brunch Bus Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Brunch Bus Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.
Calling all brunch enthusiasts and party people, dive into Austin’s brunch scene with a rocking good time on the Brunch Bus! Before Conclave gets going, fuel your fun with an unforgettable three-hour brunch extravaganza aboard the one and only Brunch Bus. We’re talking live music, boozy sips, and delicious bites from Austin’s hottest brunch spots. Buckle up for a rocking good time you won’t want to miss!
Why the Brunch Bus is a Can’t-Miss:
Disclaimers:
The Brunch Bus can accommodate vegetarian diets and most food allergies. Look for more details via email once registered. Recommended for ages 21+.
Cancelation Policy
If the event is canceled by AGS, all attendees will receive a full refund of excursion fees.
Registration is priced at $50 and is available on a first come, first served basis. Maximum registration of 25 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Hands-on Gem Analysis” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Hands-on Gem Analysis” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.
Gemstone analysis and research have opened the doors for many scientific and technological advances and have revealed much about the history of our planet. This excursion will allow participants to gain a better understanding of the instruments used in this research and give them the chance to operate the instruments themselves! Tour the research labs in the Department of Earth and Planetary Sciences at the University of Texas at Austin and be welcomed ‘behind the curtain’ in this analytical lab that is home to instruments used for gemological analysis, including Raman, UV-VIS, SEM, FTIR, XRF, and mass spectrometry. The instruments will be turned on, tuned, and ready for you to spin the dials and click the buttons to perform real gemstone analyses. This excursion will also include a visit to the UT Austin Gem and Mineral Gallery filled with carefully curated gem and mineral specimens.
Transportation between Hilton Austin and the university is included. Please note lunch will not be provided on this excursion.
Registration is priced at $80 and is available on a first-come, first-served basis. Maximum registration of 13 individuals. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Weird Austin Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Weird Austin Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.
Get Weird with Us: Your Unforgettable Austin Adventure Awaits!
Forget boring sightseeing and kick off Conclave with this unforgettable experience that goes beyond the usual tourist stops. Buckle up for the Weird Austin Tour—a two-and-a-half-hour whirlwind of local lore, hidden secrets, and side-splitting laughs with this immersion into the heart and soul of Austin’s quirky charm.
Why the Weird Austin Tour is a Can’t-Miss:
Don’t forget your sense of humor and a healthy dose of open-mindedness. Austin’s weirdness is best appreciated with an open heart and a willingness to laugh at the absurd.
Disclaimers:
Look for more details via email once registered.
Cancelation Policy
If the event is canceled by AGS, all attendees will receive a full refund of excursion fees.
Registration is priced at $50 and is available on a first come, first served basis. Maximum registration of 15 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select “Excursion: Hands-on Gemstone Faceting” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Hands-on Gemstone Faceting” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.
Gemstones come to life as they are faceted, allowing light in to interact with the gem material. Gemstone cut is the one factor in releasing a gemstone’s beauty for which humans are responsible. This excursion will allow participants the opportunity to learn about faceting by doing it themselves!
This hands-on experience includes a visit to the Vargas Faceting Lab on the campus of the University of Texas at Austin, where participants will sit down at an ULTRA TEC faceting machine and be given instruction and approximately 90 minutes to cut and polish a quartz preform that is provided. Finishing a stone can take about 8 hours, so a finished gemstone should not be expected; however, the hands-on experience will give all participants newfound insights into angles, meet points, and polish. This excursion will also include a visit to the UT Austin Gem and Mineral Gallery filled with carefully curated gem and mineral specimens.
Transportation between Hilton Austin and the university is included. Please note lunch will not be provided on this excursion.
New Members: Join us at Conclave for the New Member Reception! It’s the perfect opportunity to connect with fellow newcomers, the AGS International Board of Directors, and our dedicated AGS team.
This is a fantastic way to kick off a very special Conclave, as the American Gem Society is celebrating our 90th anniversary this year! Be the first to join the celebration.
Please note that this event is open for members that joined the community after April 2023.
Join us at the annual Mentor Mixer. Socialize with old friends, connect with fellow industry professionals, and bond with new friends!
You’ll also gain valuable insights into the AGS Mentor Program and learn how you can participate as either a mentor or a mentee.
Want to get a head start and enroll in the program ahead of time? Click here!
There will be appetizers, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
The fun doesn’t stop after the Mentor Mixer, gather with the “Guildies” for the annual Guilds party. The Regional Guilds are members who meet throughout the year in their local area. Guild meetings provide the opportunity to hear from subject matter experts on topics relevant to your career, and they are a great way to meet industry professionals in your area.
During this networking event, learn more about the positive impact that participating in your local Guild can have on your career. Plus, explore starting your own Guild if there isn’t one in your area. You’ll see why the “Guildies” have so much fun together!
There will be appetizers, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
Rings of Strength has helped raise over $420,000 for JFC, and in 2024, they will be holding their premier event in two cities, including Austin, TX at Conclave. Each event features a 5K route that you can walk, jog, or run—whatever you desire!
Start the first day of Conclave on the right foot (or the left) and help raise money for children in need. Click here to register.
Registration is available on a first come, first served basis to Retail Firm members only. Maximum registration of 200 attendees. To register, add “Financing Fast Track” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Contact [email protected] to add the session to your registration.
Spend the morning with your Wells Fargo Consumer Financing Team and rock your financing program! This engaging two-hour program kicks off with breakfast, then heads into micro sessions geared towards helping you get the most out of the AGS Credit Card Program, including practical advice and easy-to-implement tactics. Plus, firms who attend the full program will receive $1,200 per firm in travel reimbursement.* Your firm does not need to be enrolled in the AGS Credit Card Program to attend.
*The travel reimbursement will be awarded to firms who check in and attend the full Fast Track program on April 15, 2024, as reported by Wells Fargo. For program merchants, Wells Fargo will direct deposit the reimbursement. For non-program merchants, the American Gem Society will reimburse via check payable to the primary firm member of record. Checks required to be reissued due to incorrect information associated with the primary firm member of record shall be subject to a fee of $25 to be deducted from the reissued payment. All reimbursements will be issued approximately 45 days following Conclave 2024.
The Young Titleholders (YTs) will offer a day of headshots in the Networking Area during Conclave—for free! So, take advantage of this offer and get a professional photo of yourself.
Keeping with Austin’s theme of “Keep Austin Weird,” the official start of Conclave launches with a delightfully weird opening keynote speaker, Jesse Cole. Jesse is the founder of Fans First Entertainment and the Savannah Bananas. This fan-fave team has sold out every game since their first season and has a waitlist for tickets of over 600,000. For more on Jesse, see his bio on the Keynote Speakers page.
Joel Zeff is back as emcee—who better to keep things weird! Helping us celebrate the Society’s 90th anniversary, you’ll hear from Lisa Bridge, CG, President of the AGS International Board of Directors, AGS CEO Katherine Bodoh, RJ, and Jewelers Mutual, the opening keynote sponsor.
Take time for coffee, contemplation, and conversation! The afternoon Coffee and Dessert breaks are a great chance to grab a bite or a cup of coffee and relax while you mingle! Located in the networking area, these breaks give you the opportunity to visit the networking booths and thank your AGS Vendors for their support of Conclave. Have a sweet time recharging before the next session!
This event is a Conclave “gem,” as it features great food, fabulous people, and, most importantly, beautiful jewelry from the very best suppliers in the industry, your fellow AGS members! These pros have been vetted by AGS and work as hard at exceeding their clients’ expectations as you do.
Join us for the AGS Suppliers’ Showcase and Reception for a close-up look at AGS suppliers incredibly beautiful jewelry!
Reception includes buffets, a hosted bar, and other beverages.
Attention Suppliers: Showcasing at the event is a great way to share your products with a captivated audience of AGS members. Click here to learn more.
Ready for something wacky and wonderful? Don’t miss the AGS Young Titleholders Trivia Night! Test your knowledge of anything and everything from gemology to history to one-hit wonders. This annual Conclave good-time is an exhilarating mixture of competition and full-throttle laughter as teams vie for this Trivia Night title. Everyone is welcome!
Enjoy a buffet breakfast and gain valuable insights from our keynote speaker, Mick Ebeling, brought to you by Wells Fargo.
You will also hear from Wells Fargo on the financing program, a program designed with the needs of AGS members and their customers in mind.
For more information, see his bio under Keynote Speakers.
Join us for the Shipley Luncheon, one of the Society’s most time-honored traditions. Robert M. Shipley, the founder of the American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America, is the father of organized gemological research and education in the United States. His vision was to professionalize the jewelry industry through ethics, education, and credentials. AGS and GIA stand as a testament to his success 90 years later. This awards lunch is our way of honoring his legacy.
Since the first award was given in 1968, The Shipley Award has grown to become the most revered recognition in the American Gem Society and our industry.
Be a part of this historic and significant event as the American Gem Society unveils the recipient of the 2024 Robert M. Shipley Award.
Conclave is a fast-paced schedule jammed into three days, so a little break is needed! Located in the networking area, grab a bite of something sweet, have a cup of coffee, and enjoy chatting with other community members. Visit the networking booths and thank your vendors for their support of Conclave. Ask them to tell you how they can assist with your business needs!
Registration is available on a first come, first served basis toto Retail Firm members only. Maximum registration of 150 attendees. To register, click here to access the registration site, then select Excursion: Clarity Diamond™ Lab-Grown Facility Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab of your Conclave registration. Already registered? Click here to access the registration site, select “Excursions ONLY” as your “Attendee Type,” then add “Excursion: Clarity Diamond™ Lab-Grown Facility Tour” as part of the “Attendee Selections” tab.
Just like Texas BBQ, we’d like to think that there’s a “secret sauce” to growing diamonds. This excursion will provide you with an opportunity to tour a state-of-the-art laboratory-grown diamond facility, while being educated on the CVD manufacturing process. From seed to polished diamond, our experts will take you on the journey of a lab-grown diamond.
After the tour, you’ll head over to the County Line on the Lake to enjoy mouthwatering BBQ, take in the views of Bull Creek, and listen to some fantastic Texas entertainment. It’s an evening filled with sparkle and sizzle, and we hope to see you at our smokin’ shindig!
4:00 p.m. tour schedule:
4:30 p.m. tour schedule:
5:00 p.m. tour schedule:
You’ve got a night to explore Austin. Where do you begin? Click here to explore all the fabulous things to do, from the music scene to places to eat to who knows what. It’s Austin, so you know there are some great experiences to be had!
Get ready for a unique reverse happy hour setting at The Reverbery, located off of the Hilton Austin lobby. Presented by Loudr, a full-service marketing agency committed to cutting through the noise, this event is all about connecting with like-minded professionals in a relaxed atmosphere.
There will be a hosted bar and other beverages.
Join us for the annual Membership Breakfast as we conduct the Society’s official business. You’ll hear from leadership within the AGS on information important to the AGS community.
Following the Society updates, hear from the keynote speaker Peter Katz. For more information, see his bio under Keynote Speakers.
Join us in recognizing our new and milestone credentialed Society members at the annual Titleholders Luncheon!
Credentials set members apart by demonstrating their commitment to continuing education and superior business ethics. AGS titleholders stand out among other industry jewelers as credentialed professionals.
Hear from Sylvie Di Giusto, an internationally acclaimed speaker, as she explores Modern Emotional Intelligence, guiding audiences to understand perceptions, choose behaviors, and achieve optimal outcomes. For more information, see her bio under Keynote Speakers.
We will also present the Young Titleholder of the Year award and be entertained by Peter Katz.
Java time! Head to the Networking Area, where you can enjoy dessert, meet friends (old and new), and visit the networking booths. It’s a short but sweet opportunity to relax before your next session begins.
Let’s get wonderfully weird! This year’s President’s Party will be entirely unique. There will be games, activation stations, great Austin cuisine, an open bar, a band, and the entire AGS community coming together to celebrate another wonderful Conclave.
This year’s theme is Music Festival Fun. Here’s the thing about dressing for music festivals: There’s no right or wrong way to do it—just dress for the vibes. Visit the Conclave Attire Guide for more details.
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