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
- 11:00 AM – 5:00 PMCheck-in from 10:30 AM
- Lunch
- Planned for 1:30 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 first speakers are confirmed. Remaining speakers and final session details will be announced soon.
Gold & Metals Volatility
A timely session on navigating today's changing metals market and understanding how volatility affects jewelry retailers.
Linus Drogs Founder, Au Enterprises
AI & 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 Director of Platform & AI Strategy, GemFind Digital Solutions
Balancing Your Business & Inventory
A business-focused session on operational balance, smarter inventory decisions, and practical ways to improve retail performance.
To be announced
TBDA fourth education session is being finalised with Jewelers of America. The topic and speaker will be announced here as soon as they are confirmed.
Speakers
Featured speakers
Our first speakers are confirmed. Remaining speakers are being finalized through Jewelers of America, with bios and session details to follow.
Linus Drogs
Founder
Au Enterprises
Session Gold & Metals Volatility
Rodney Roberts
Director of Platform & AI Strategy
GemFind Digital Solutions
Session AI & Technology in the Jewelry Business
More to be announced
2 more sessions still being finalized
Run of Show
Schedule
A preliminary schedule — final schedule and speaker times are subject to change.
- 10:30 AM Registration & check-in open · networking, vendor & sponsor tables
- 11:00 AM Welcome & opening remarks
- 11:45 AM Jewelers of America Learning Workshop session
- 12:45 PM Networking & sponsor time
- 1:30 PM Lunch
- 2:15 PM Jewelers of America Learning Workshop session
- 3:15 PM Break & networking
- 3:30 PM Additional education session or panel
- 4:30 PM Closing discussion & announcements
- 5:00 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 and check-in open at 10:30 AM; the conference begins at 11:00 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.
Vendor and sponsor opportunities may be available. Details will be announced soon — contact us to express interest.
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.
Received-by deadline
Sunday, October 4, 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
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 Sunday, October 4, 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 Sunday, October 4, 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? +
Lunch is planned for 1:30 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. Linus Drogs, Founder of Au Enterprises, is presenting on gold and metals volatility, and Rodney Roberts, Director of Platform & AI Strategy at GemFind Digital Solutions, is presenting on AI and technology in the jewelry business. Remaining speakers are being finalized through Jewelers of America and will be announced soon.
What are the education topics? +
Gold & Metals Volatility with Linus Drogs (Au Enterprises); AI & Technology in the Jewelry Business with Rodney Roberts (GemFind Digital Solutions); Balancing Your Business & Inventory Management; and a fourth session still to be announced.
Will there be vendor tables? +
Vendor and sponsor table details are still being finalized.
More questions? Contact us and we'll help.