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Las Vegas, NV—Marcus Lemonis (image), the TV personality, entrepreneur, advocate, and philanthropist best known for his role in CNBC’s The Profit, will be the opening keynote speaker for the American Gem Society's (AGS) Annual Conclave in April 2022. Jewelers Mutual Group is the presenting sponsor.

Lemonis starred in CNBC's prime-time reality series, The Profit, for eight years. He lent his expertise to small businesses around the country, judging and improving them with the "3P" principle: People/Process/Product. He inspired audiences 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."

"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!"

Lemonis will be launching a new show next year as well: HGTV has signed him for a new eight-episode series called The Renovator, where he will help homeowners fix their most valuable personal asset—their home. The Renovator is tentatively slated to premiere in 2022.

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 event will be held in Oklahoma City, OK, from April 25–27, 2022, at the new Omni Oklahoma City Hotel.

"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 and registration for Conclave in Oklahoma City will be forthcoming; visit ags.org/Conclave for announcements. For anyone who would like to speak at the AGS Conclave, speaker proposals will be sent out soon, or email experience@ags.org.