Annual Conference
2026 Indiana Jewelers Association
Annual Conference
A statewide gathering of Indiana jewelry professionals for education, connection, and industry insight.
- Date
- Sunday, October 25, 2026
- Time
- 10:30 AM – 5:20 PMCheck-in & brunch from 10:30 AM
- Lunch
- Planned for 1:00 PM
- Venue
- Prairie Waters Event CenterWestfield, IN
The Event
A full day for Indiana's jewelry community
Join the Indiana Jewelers Association for the 2026 Annual Conference, a statewide gathering of Indiana jewelry professionals focused on education, connection, and strengthening the jewelry industry across Indiana.
This year's conference brings together store owners, managers, sales professionals, bench jewelers, and appraisers for a full day of learning, networking, lunch, and industry discussion — with vendors, designers, and industry partners exhibiting at booths.
The day includes educational programming through The Jewelers of America Learning Workshop, networking opportunities, lunch, and time to connect with fellow jewelers and trade partners.
Education
The Jewelers of America Learning Workshop
The conference's education is delivered through the Jewelers of America Learning Workshop, with sessions built around the topics shaping the jewelry business today.
The full speaker lineup is announced below. The run of show is a proposed schedule — final session lengths and clock times are subject to confirmation with Jewelers of America.
Traction / EOS
A session on the Entrepreneurial Operating System (EOS) and the Traction framework — practical tools for working on your business, not just in it.
Seth Pennington Sponsored by Federated Insurance Certified EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide
Estate Planning
Connor Umphress of Federated Insurance presents a short session on estate planning for jewelry business owners.
Connor Umphress Sponsored by Federated Insurance Account Executive, Federated Insurance
2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and Consumer Sentiment
Ronda Slaven of Synchrony presents findings from its 2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and a look at current consumer sentiment — what's shaping how shoppers approach major jewelry purchases.
Ronda Slaven Sponsored by Jewelers of America Head of Market Insights, Synchrony
Balancing Your Business / Inventory Management
A business-focused session on operational balance, smarter inventory decisions, and practical ways to improve retail performance.
Tammy Lail Sponsored by Jewelers of America Owner, TSL Solutions
AI and Technology in the Jewelry Business
A practical look at how artificial intelligence and emerging technology are changing the jewelry industry — from operations to marketing and customer engagement.
Rodney Roberts Sponsored by Jewelers of America Director of Platform & AI Strategy, GemFind Digital Solutions
Speakers
Featured speakers
Our speaker lineup is set. The session times shown in the schedule are proposed and remain subject to final confirmation with Jewelers of America — full session titles and speaker bios will be added as they're received.
Session Traction / EOS
As a Certified EOS Implementer®, I help stuck businesses get unstuck.
Read full bioShow less
Stuck is a feeling I know all too well. In 2007, my wife Amy and I launched a supply business focused on serving homebuilders, spun off from a family business. But within a year, the Great Recession hit—home construction froze, and our company was on the brink.
Around that time, we discovered EOS®. Implementing it didn’t just help us survive—it gave us structure, clarity, and momentum. The business ultimately grew and led to a successful sale just a few years later.
After that, I served as an Integrator in two other companies, bringing EOS with me. In one of those roles, I witnessed firsthand how transformative EOS can be—and how painful it is when it’s resisted. I tried to implement EOS in a business where the leadership team was hungry for clarity and accountability, but the owner wouldn’t let go. He didn’t want a team that could function without him. I left deeply frustrated—not because I couldn’t help, but because I knew I could.
That moment was a turning point. I decided to become a Professional EOS Implementer because I’ve lived the chaos, and I know what’s possible on the other side. EOS brings clarity, focus, and freedom—not just for owners, but for their teams too.
Today, I work primarily with two types of leaders:
- Those who’ve hit a ceiling. They’ve tried everything, but can’t align their team, clarify their strategy, or break through to the next level. They lack focus.
- And those who have a big vision but can’t get there. They know where they want to go, but they don’t have a clear plan or the traction to get their team moving. They lack direction.
Session Estate Planning
Session 2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and Consumer Sentiment
Ronda Slaven is a Market Research & Competitive Intelligence professional with 25 years of experience leading strategic research initiatives across a variety of industries such as financial service, consumer packaged goods and retail. She is currently the Vice President, Market Insights Leader at Synchrony Financial where she manages a team focused on business, consumer and competitor insights as well as macro-trends and thought-leadership. Prior to Synchrony, Ronda worked for companies such as General Electric, Heinz and Bread Financial.
Read full bioShow less
In addition to her deep insights expertise, Ronda considers herself a strong consumer advocate, always looking for opportunities to bring the voice of the market to the forefront of business. Ronda’s recent passion projects include being an AI Ambassador for growth and mentoring the Ohio University Consumer Research & Analytics undergraduate student class, helping to cultivate the future research leaders of tomorrow.
Session Balancing Your Business / Inventory Management
Tammy Lail is an accomplished business leader with a proven track record of driving profitability and operational efficiency across diverse industries. As the owner of TSL Solutions LLC, she specializes in guiding businesses through the development and implementation of strategic initiatives that improve performance, streamline operations, and generate significant cost savings.
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Prior to founding TSL Solutions, Lail served in key executive positions at Stuller Inc., where she spearheaded initiatives that boosted revenue and optimized resource management. Her expertise spans operations, finance, and supply chain management, with a particular focus on manufacturing processes and talent development.
Rodney Roberts
Sponsored by Jewelers of America
Director of Platform & AI Strategy
GemFind Digital Solutions
Session AI and Technology in the Jewelry Business
Rodney Roberts plays a pivotal role at GemFind, leading strategic initiatives across development, data management, and product innovation. With industry experience dating back to 2007, Rodney brings deep technical knowledge and a proven track record of driving complex projects to successful outcomes. He is a key architect behind GemFind’s vendor data infrastructure and product development strategies, and serves as the primary point of contact for all high-level data initiatives.
Read full bioShow less
Rodney is widely recognized for his thoughtful, creative approach to problem-solving, blending analytical precision with emotional intelligence. His leadership extends to the integration of AI technologies within the GemFind ecosystem, where he identifies and implements cutting-edge tools to improve efficiency and scalability. A trusted advisor and cross-functional collaborator, Rodney continues to be an invaluable resource and innovation driver within the organization.
Run of Show
Schedule
Updated proposed schedule. Final speaker times and session details are subject to confirmation.
All times Eastern (ET).
- 10:30–11:25 AM Check-in, brunch and snacks, vendor visits, design competition viewing, and People's Choice voting
- 11:25–11:40 AM Welcome, sponsor recognition, and housekeeping
- 11:40–11:45 AM Introduce Federated Insurance and Seth Pennington
- 11:45 AM–12:00 PM Connor Umphress, Federated Insurance — Estate Planning
- 12:00–1:00 PM Seth Pennington — Traction / EOS
- 1:00–1:45 PM Lunch, vendor conversations, and design competition voting
- 1:45–2:30 PM Rodney Roberts — AI and Technology in the Jewelry Business
- 2:30–2:55 PM Vendor and networking break Vendor break
- 2:55–3:40 PM Tammy Lail — Balancing Your Business / Inventory Management
- 3:40–4:00 PM Vendor break, final voting, and introduction of Ronda Slaven; voting closes at 4:00 Vendor break
- 4:00–4:45 PM Ronda Slaven, Synchrony — 2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and Consumer Sentiment
- 4:45–5:05 PM Design Competition Awards
- 5:05–5:10 PM Closing remarks and acknowledgments
- 5:10–5:20 PM Final networking, vendor visits, and design entry pickup
- 5:20 PM Conference concludes
Who Should Attend
Built for Indiana's jewelry professionals
- Store owners
- Store managers
- Sales professionals
- Bench jewelers
- Appraisers
- JA / IJA members & prospective members
Vendors, designers & industry partners: exhibitor tables are open — reserve a 6-foot table ($500) for a full day with Indiana's store owners and buyers, vendor website access included.
Venue & Directions
Where it's happening
Prairie Waters Event Center
4180 Westfield Rd, Westfield, IN 46062
- Parking
- Ample on-site parking.
- Accessibility
- Handicap accessible, single-floor layout.
- Check-in
- Registration, check-in, and brunch open at 10:30 AM; the program begins with a welcome at 11:25 AM.
Facility photos
Photos: Prairie Waters Event Center, Westfield, IN.
Where to Stay
Nearby hotels
A hotel room block has not been finalized yet. Nearby hotel options will be listed here for convenience — please check back for updates.
Areas to consider near the venue:
- Westfield
- Noblesville
- Carmel
- Fishers
- North Indianapolis
Registration
Register to attend
Fields marked * are required.
Sponsors & Partners
In partnership
The Indiana Jewelers Association is grateful for the support and partnership of Jewelers of America in helping provide valuable education for Indiana jewelry professionals.
Special guest exhibitors
Visit their table throughout the day.
Want a table? Exhibitor tables are open — reserve a 6-foot table ($500). For sponsorship opportunities, contact us.
Design Competition
2026 IJA Design Competition
Showcase your best custom jewelry design at the 2026 IJA Design Competition. This annual contest celebrates the creativity, craftsmanship, originality, and skill of Indiana jewelers, and gives IJA member stores the opportunity to have their work recognized by peers and attendees at the Annual Conference.
Entries are judged on overall design, quality of manufacture, originality, marketability, craftsmanship, and presentation. Winning entries will be announced during the conference on Sunday, October 25, 2026.
Deadline extended to
Monday, October 19, 2026
Eligibility
IJA member stores only
Entry fee
None
Judging
Before the conference
Open to IJA member stores. Suppliers and vendors are not eligible to enter.
Categories
Entries are grouped by the suggested retail price of the finished piece.
- 1 Jewelry up to $2,000
- 2 Jewelry $2,001 – $5,000
- 3 Jewelry $5,001 – $10,000
- 4 Jewelry $10,001 – $50,000
How entries are judged
Judging takes place before the conference. Official judges are still to be determined. Entries are evaluated on:
- Overall design
- Quality of manufacture
- Originality
- Marketability
- Craftsmanship
- Presentation
Awards
A winner is selected in each of the four categories, plus a People's Choice Award voted on by conference attendees.
Each category winner receives:
- · Trophy
- · 2026 IJA Design Contest Winner window decal
- · Recognition at the Annual Conference
- · Website & social media recognition (if approved)
- · Bragging rights as a 2026 IJA Design Contest Winner
People's Choice voting opens at 10:30 AM and closes at 4:00 PM. Design Competition Awards begin at 4:45 PM.
Trophy and window-decal designs will be shared closer to the conference.
On display at the conference
Submitted pieces are displayed during the conference, where attendees view the entries and vote for the People's Choice Award.
Return & pickup
Entries may be picked up at the conference following the display. Pieces not picked up at the event are returned by mail after the conference.
Where to send entries
Deliver or ship your piece to arrive no later than Monday, October 19, 2026:
Khamis Fine JewelersAttn: IJA Design Competition / Mary Khamis
9763 Fall Creek Road
Indianapolis, IN 46256
Entries are received and logged by Mary Khamis, IJA Board Treasurer. Entrants are encouraged to use trackable shipping or hand delivery.
Insurance: all submitted pieces are insured while in the possession of the Indiana Jewelers Association through Federated Insurance. Entrants are responsible for ensuring pieces are properly packaged and delivered by the deadline.
Design competition FAQ
Who can enter? +
The competition is open to IJA members only. Entrants must be affiliated with an IJA member store.
Can suppliers or vendors enter? +
No. Suppliers and vendors are not eligible to enter the 2026 IJA Design Competition.
Is there an entry fee? +
No. There is no entry fee.
When are entries due? +
All entries must be received by Monday, October 19, 2026. Because this is a received-by deadline, please allow enough time for delivery.
Where should entries be sent? +
Entries should be shipped or delivered to Khamis Fine Jewelers, Attn: IJA Design Competition / Mary Khamis, 9763 Fall Creek Road, Indianapolis, IN 46256.
When will judging happen? +
Judging will take place before the conference.
Who will judge the entries? +
Judges are still to be determined.
Will entries be displayed at the conference? +
Yes. Entries will be displayed at the conference, and attendees will vote for the People's Choice Award.
What awards will be given? +
Winners will be selected in each pricing category, and attendees will vote for a People's Choice Award.
What do winners receive? +
Category winners will receive a trophy, a 2026 IJA Design Contest Winner window decal, conference recognition, and bragging rights.
How will pieces be returned? +
Entries may be picked up at the conference. Pieces not picked up at the event will be mailed back after the conference.
Are submitted pieces insured? +
Yes. Submitted pieces will be insured while in the possession of the Indiana Jewelers Association through Federated Insurance.
Questions
Frequently asked
Who should attend? +
Indiana jewelry professionals — store owners, managers, and sales associates. Vendors, designers, and industry partners can apply to have a booth.
Is lunch included? +
Yes. Brunch and snacks are available during check-in from 10:30 AM, and lunch is planned for 1:00 PM. Final meal details are still being confirmed.
Where is the event? +
Prairie Waters Event Center, 4180 Westfield Rd, Westfield, IN 46062.
Is parking available? +
Yes — Prairie Waters Event Center offers ample on-site parking and is handicap accessible with a single-floor layout.
Are hotel rooms available nearby? +
Nearby hotels will be listed here for convenience. A room block has not been finalized yet.
How do I register? +
Registration is open — use the Register section on this page. IJA members should log in first: member pricing applies automatically (your first attendee is free) and your details and store team pre-fill. Add each attendee — pick your store's staff from a dropdown, or add guests manually — then pay securely by card at checkout. You'll get a confirmation right away, and current pricing is shown in the Register section.
Will there be speakers? +
Yes. Our confirmed lineup: Seth Pennington (Certified EOS Implementer, EOS Worldwide) on Traction / EOS; Connor Umphress (Federated Insurance) on estate planning; Ronda Slaven (Synchrony) on the 2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and consumer sentiment; Tammy Lail (TSL Solutions) on balancing your business and inventory management; and Rodney Roberts (GemFind Digital Solutions) on AI and technology in the jewelry business. The session times shown in the schedule are proposed and remain subject to confirmation with Jewelers of America.
What are the education topics? +
Traction / EOS with Seth Pennington (EOS Worldwide); Estate Planning with Connor Umphress (Federated Insurance); the 2025 Jewelry Major Purchase Study and Consumer Sentiment with Ronda Slaven (Synchrony); Balancing Your Business / Inventory Management with Tammy Lail (TSL Solutions); and AI and Technology in the Jewelry Business with Rodney Roberts (GemFind Digital Solutions).
Will there be vendor tables? +
Yes. Vendors, designers, and industry partners can reserve a 6-foot exhibitor table for $500, which includes vendor website access. United Precious Metal Refining joins us as a special guest exhibitor.
More questions? Contact us and we'll help.