Full Schedule of Events

Saturday, September 27, 2025

OJA Saturday Night Programming
Dinner, Casino Night, Vendors, and more

5:00 PM - Registration Check in
5:15 - 7:30PM - Cocktail Hour with Vendor Show
7:30 - Dinner 
8:00-8:45 PM - Mike Breeze Keynote Presentation (Bio and more info below) 
8:45-11:00 PM - Please stay and enjoy Casino Night along with games and music

Jewelers of America Keynote Speaker
8:15 – 9:00 PM – UnStuck: The Psychology of Performance
Presenter: Mike Breeze, Author, Speaker & Founder of Made4Success

Description:
In this high-energy keynote, Mike blends neuroscience, storytelling, and stagecraft to help audiences break free from overwhelm, clarify purpose, and take meaningful action. Using his powerful 3-part system, he equips individuals and teams with the mindset and momentum to get unstuck—and stay that way. Backed by real-world experience and delivered with unforgettable presence, Mike doesn’t just inspire—he drives results.

Bio:
Mike Breeze is a nationally recognized Goal Achievement Expert, best-selling author, and Mindset Coach. As the founder of Made4Success, Mike has spent over two decades helping individuals and organizations achieve their big goals and develop the influence needed to succeed in every area of life.

Sunday, September 28, 2025

7:30 – 9:00 AM – Breakfast, On-Site Registration & Check-In (OJA)


9:00 – 9:15 AM – JA Learning Workshop Kicks off, introduction of 1st Session (JA)

9:15 – 10:00 AM – Keeping up with AI and other Technologies Changing the Jewelry Business

Presented by Jennifer Shaheen, President, Technology Therapy

Description: Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI) has been leading the latest technological revolution in retail, offering powerful tools that enhance customer experience, optimize operations, and boost sales. Understanding how to effectively harness AI and other new tools could be the difference in keeping pace and staying relevant or going the way of the dinosaur. This session will offer an overview of the top tech trends in retail today and how to leverage these innovations to enhance your toolkit and future-proof your business.

Bio: Jennifer Shaheen, President, Technology Therapy: Jennifer Shaheen is a digital transformation expert, user experience enthusiast, and data insights specialist recognized as the authority in planning, implementing, and translating digital marketing and technology in today’s competitive online environment. Over her twenty-year career, Jennifer has worked as a digital advisor in a myriad of industries, including finance, banking, manufacturing, design, construction, luxury retail, and jewelry. Private equity firms value Jennifer for her ability to deliver sustainable growth and meaningful results when leading the digital launch and rebranding of various organizations. Jennifer Shaheen is a digital transformation expert, user experience enthusiast, and data insights specialist recognized as the authority in planning, implementing, and translating digital marketing and technology in today’s competitive online environment.

10:00 – 10:30 AM Synchrony Consumer Insights

Presented by Jill Malone, AVP, Account Sales Manager, Lifestyle Markets, Synchrony

Bio: Jill Malone AVP, Account Sales Manager Synchrony, is an experienced sales professional with 25+ years in various financial services roles. This focus allows her to offer a breadth of experience to her client base.  She has spent the last 20+ years working in different areas within Synchrony. Her mission is to offer knowledge and ideas to help clients grow through a partnership with Synchrony.

10:30 – 10:45 AM – Break

10:45 – 11:30 AM Turn First-Time Jewelry Buyers into Lifelong Clients

Presented by Suzanne Adams, Director, Business Development, Jewelers Mutual

Description: This session will focus on factors that influence repeat purchases, and the key elements of an effective customer retention strategy. Get tips to help bring in new customers, create memorable customer experiences and build loyalty.

Bio: Suzanne Adams is a seasoned expert in Jewelry and Luxury retail, with 19 years of experience in Jewelry, 24 years in Risk Management & Services, and 27 years in Client Management. This unique blend of expertise affords Suzanne with profound insights into how a partnership of these elements can significantly enhance sales and elevate the overall customer experience.

Suzanne has collaborated with the largest and most respected retailers and brands in the Jewelry industry, having won their business and their hearts while maintaining 100% client retention. Her efforts have driven cultural transformation that promote growth, drive revenue, and redefine best-in-class industry standards.  This has been accomplished through curating strategies tailored to each retailer's needs while remaining attuned to an ever-evolving retail landscape.

11:30 AM – 12:15 PM Leverage Repairs to Grow Your Business

Presented by Ross Wesdorp, Co-owner, Jewel-Craft Inc.

Description: Providing a reliable repairs service can be an essential tool in building trust and loyalty with customers. This session will offer tips to effectively leverage repair services as part of your overall business strategy. Learn how to better promote repair offerings, streamline processes for efficiency, and create a seamless experience for customers seeking restoration of their treasured pieces.

Bio: Ross Wesdorp is the Co-Owner and Senior Director of Sales at Jewel-Craft Inc., a fourth-generation family business founded in 1947. Beginning his career at age 13 as a bench jeweler and in shipping, Ross developed a lifelong passion for the jewelry trade. He further honed his expertise by earning credentials from the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) and the University of Kentucky.

12:15 – 1:30PM – Lunch

1:30 – 2:15PM Focus on Selling Diamonds, Period

Presented by John Pollard, Senior Director of Education, International Gemological Institute

Description: Whether you sell only natural diamonds or have ventured into lab-grown sales, this session will empower you with the skills needed to confidently sell both and appeal to the range of customer preferences. From highlighting the unique attributes of natural and lab-grown, to managing customer questions, learn techniques to ensure your customers walk away informed and excited about their choice. 

Bio: John Pollard is Senior Director of Education for IGI, expanding the institute’s educational initiatives and diploma programs taught in eight countries around the world and designing seminars, workshops, and eLearning courses for IGI clients in all industry sectors including leading luxury brands. A career consultant for diamond producers, grading laboratories and retailers in North America, Europe, and Asia, John has lectured at JCK Las Vegas, the American Gem Society Conclave, the Gemological Institute of America Alumni Association, Jewelers of America, the Women’s Jewelry Association and international expos in Beijing and Shanghai, China. He is published in Gem-A, the Journal of Gemmology. Prior to joining IGI John held management roles with companies specializing in diamond cut quality, operating in both traditional and eCommerce channels, where he educated thousands of industry professionals and consumers alike.

2:15 – 2:20PM Closing Remarks for Jewelers of America Learning Workshop portion of the program (JA)