Carlsbad, Calif.—The American Gem Society (AGS) and the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) are joining forces by combining two prominent events in the jewelry industry into one unified gathering.
AGS Conclave, the annual educational and networking event hosted by the AGS, will merge with GIA’s Symposium, a research and educational forum held every five to seven years, to introduce “Converge.”
Scheduled for September 7-10, 2025, the inaugural Converge event will take place in Carlsbad, California, spanning across the GIA headquarters and the Omni La Costa Resort.
Katherine Bodoh, CEO of AGS, expressed enthusiasm about the collaboration, stating, “Bringing together GIA’s expertise in education, science, and groundbreaking research with AGS’s dedication to professional development, business resources, and networking presents a remarkable opportunity to further our joint mission of safeguarding consumers and serving the global gem and jewelry community.”
Susan Jacques, CEO and President of GIA, echoed Bodoh’s sentiments, highlighting the event’s potential to leverage the respective strengths of both organizations. “This collaborative endeavor will integrate the best aspects of AGS and GIA, leveraging each entity’s unique capabilities to deliver innovative educational and professional development initiatives, alongside cutting-edge scientific research, within a distinctive setting,” Jacques remarked.
Further details regarding Converge, including program specifics, registration procedures, and accommodation options, will be disclosed by GIA and AGS in the near future.
