Schedule Of Events

On behalf of the Canadian Jewellers Association and our valued sponsors, Welcome! Start the day off right with a continental breakfast. Visit with CJA Benefit Partners in the Member Benefit Gallery and connect with attendees before the day officially kicks-off!

Have your say in who will represent you on the 2026 CJA Board of Directors. All members are invited to attend this business meeting, and voting members are welcome to participate.

Hosted by Angela Betteridge, Chair

Estate jewellery presents a unique opportunity for retail jewellers to tap into a new revenue stream all from within their local market. Discover the potential of what estate jewellery can do for your bottom line.

Speaker: Duncan Parker, Dupuis Fine Jewellery Auctioneers

Grab a refreshment during the break generously sponsored by Frederique Constant. Visit the Member Benefit Gallery to learn about exclusive savings with CJA Member Benefits Partners and connect with fellow attendees.

Refuel for the afternoon at the lunch buffet. Connect with attendees and explore the Member Benefit Alley.Discover who Jewelers Mutual is and why asset protection is more critical than ever. Explore current trends in crime and learn the proactive steps you can take to safeguard your business. Gain insight into tailored jeweller solutions designed to strengthen your store and see how the Canadian Jewellers Association serves as your trusted connection to Jewelers Mutual.

Speaker: Mark Devereaux, Jewelers Mutual

For jewellers, protecting your assets is more important now than ever before. Starting with the fundamental concepts and principles involved in asset protection, jewellers will gain valuable tools they can implement right away to protect their businesses. Uncover how to identify the threats and vulnerabilities your business faces, the importance of conducting risk assessments and how to use this information to implement the appropriate security solutions. Gain an understanding of “security layering” and how this approach can help protect your most valuable assets: you, your people and your products year round.

Speaker: Scott Hayes, Jewellers Vigilance Canada

Refuel for the afternoon at the lunch buffet generously sponsored by Corona Jewellery Co. Connect with attendees and explore the Member Benefit Gallery.

Uncover a new spectrum of beauty with a natural diamond palette that evokes desert landscapes. Introducing “Desert diamonds”, the newest and largest campaign from De Beer’s Group in over a decade, launched to support the holiday season. Understand the fascinating consumer insights that lead to the development of the campaign, and which celebrities have already been displaying their Desert diamonds. Learn how retailers can gain access to advertising materials via Promoboxx just in time for the holiday season.

Speaker: Sally Morrison, De Beers Group

Let’s face it—no Canadian jewellery talk is complete without two things: tariffs and AI. While both get all the headlines, neither is what truly defines your success as a Canadian Jeweller. By cutting through the noise and poking fun at the clichés, we will uncover why you’re actual advantage is the one thing AI can’t replace: human connection. Learn how to train your team to turn challenges into sales, leverage Canada’s conflict-free gold and gems, and handle objections without giving away the store. Because let’s be honest—tariffs are tough, AI is everywhere. Neither of them is going to smile at your customer and close the deal. That’s your True North Advantage.

Speaker: Wendi Swanson, Etymon Group

With a rich history, dating back to 1908, the Royal Canadian Mint (RCM) is recognized as one of the largest and most versatile mints in the world. Explore how Canada has become a key player in ethical gold sourcing through innovation and integrity. Understand the principles of responsible mining and how the RCM ensures traceability and trust. Discover how advanced blockchain technology is creating an immutable record of Canadian gold’s journey—from its origin in the mine to its transformation into finished products such as bullion bars, coins, and collectibles.

Enjoy a refreshment during the break generously sponsored by Frederique Constant. It’s your last chance to visit the Member Benefit Gallery to learn about exclusive savings with CJA Member Benefit Partners.

Learn about the rapidly growing world of Buy Now, Pay later (BNPL). Understand how Affirm is helping Canadian retailers drive growth through transparent, flexible payment options. Explore key consumer trends fueling BNPL adoption, the measurable impact Affirm has on conversion, average order value, customer loyalty, and the unique advantages available to CJA members, including guaranteed 0% APR financing, competitive merchant fees and tools that help attract and retain more shoppers.

Speaker: Yann You-Ten and Arya Ghaeli, Affirm

Natural diamonds are far more than beautiful—they carry stories of rarity, positive impact, and enduring value. Discover the evolving world of natural diamonds, from the billion-year journey beneath the Earth’s surface to the transformative benefits they deliver to communities—including right here in Canada. This session will unveil insights from a recent trip to Canada’s diamond-producing regions, where we witnessed firsthand how natural diamonds support Indigenous communities, protect Arctic landscapes, and drive local economies. Gain access to tools designed to give you the confidence and compelling stories you need to attract new customers and connect meaningfully with existing customers.

Speaker: Grant Mobley, Only Natural Diamonds

We’ve been told that the future is digital. But living in a digital world for the past few years has us all craving real, analog experiences again. How do we reject the downsides of technology while still embracing change? Learn how we can build around a core analog experience to add value to our relationships and businesses. Whether you’re looking to build stronger relationships with customers, forge creative teams, or make your workplace more resilient and meaningful, you will learn how to design and innovate without losing sight of the human experiences that really matter.

Speaker: David Sax, Canadian Author and Journalist

Get your tickets ready for the Raffle Prize draw! Winning bidders for the Silent Auction will be notified and onsite items will be available for pick up. Formal programming for the evening concludes, however guests are welcome to continue enjoying the evening together.

CHEERS to a fabulous day of learning and connecting. Enjoy complimentary cocktails sponsored by Citizen Watch Canada Ltd. while mingling with attendees. Make sure to purchase your raffle tickets!

The CJA Awards were founded to honour the incredible achievements of individuals and companies involved in all areas of the jewellery industry across Canada.  Join us in celebrating  winners of the Independent Retailer of the Year Award, Multi-Store Retailer of the Year Award, Supplier of the Year Award, Emerging Business of the Year Award, and the Erol Paylan Impact Award.

Get your tickets ready for the Raffle Prize draw! Formal programming for the evening concludes, however guests are welcome to continue enjoying the evening together.