Marcus Lemonis, TV personality, entrepreneur, advocate, and philanthropist, will be the opening keynote speaker for the American Gem Society’s (AGS) Annual Conclave, which will be held in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, April 25–27, 2022 at the new Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.
Lemonis starred in CNBC’s prime-time reality series, The Profit, for eight years lending his expertise to small businesses around the country, judging and improving them with the “3P” principle: People/Process/Product. Under his leadership and vision, he helped build Camping World into the Nation’s largest RV retailer, making Mr. Lemonis one of America’s most successful businessmen.
Mr. Lemonis has inspired his audience with grounded advice and such memorable quotes as, “If you don’t have emotion and you don’t have passion, then you shouldn’t be in business, because money is a byproduct, not the purpose.”
HGTV has signed Lemonis for a new eight-episode series, The Renovator, where he will help homeowners fix their most valuable personal asset—their home. The Renovator is tentatively slated to premiere in 2022.
“Mr. Lemonis has a knack for helping small businesses go to the next level,” said Alexis Padis, CGA, Chair of the Conclave sub-committee. “With the vast majority of our membership operating independent family-owned businesses, Mr. Lemonis’ words, motivation, and advice come at the perfect time for our industry as we all adapt to this post-pandemic world. I have personally never been so excited for a Conclave speaker. This is truly a keynote not to be missed!”
The 2022 Conclave will mark the first time AGS has held the event in Oklahoma City. “Oklahoma City has become one of America’s hidden gems (pun intended),” said Mitchell Clark, CG, who sits on the American Gem Society’s International Board of Directors. Mitchell’s store, B.C. Clark Jewelers, is the oldest in Oklahoma.
“The city has experienced a renaissance over the last ten years and is the perfect location for AGS Conclave!” Mitchell noted. “The brand new Omni Hotel sits right on the edge of the new 70-acre Scissortail Park that extends from the core of Downtown to the shore of the Oklahoma River. I am thrilled for the AGS community to have a chance to visit and experience our great city!”
Announcements on Conclave’s full speaker lineup for Oklahoma City will be made this fall. If you would like to speak at the AGS Conclave, speaker proposals will be sent out soon, or email [email protected].
The American Gem Society would like to thank Jewelers Mutual Group for serving as the Presenting Sponsor and bringing Marcus Lemonis to Conclave.
Information on when registration will be open for Conclave 2022 is coming soon. Stay tuned to ags.org/Conclave for announcements.
