The American Gem Society’s Conclave® to be held in Chicago between April 1-4, 2009, has received a good number of responses for sponsorship from diamond manufacturers to insurance companies. The organisation has released its list of sponsors for the event, which Society Executive Director and CEO Ruth Batson said is building even more industry support than planners expected. “Our Supplier Showcase has been sold out for some time, which is fantastic news for guests who want to take advantage of this high-end buying show,” she said. “Registration numbers are strong, and sponsor interest is high. This is an encouraging start to what we think will be the best programme in Conclave’s 72-year history.”

The list of sponsors include: Presenting-Level Sponsor - Jewelers Mutual Insurance Company; Diamond-Level Sponsors - Wells Fargo Financial Retail Services, Inc., JCK – The Industry Fund / JCK Events, Gemological Institute of America; Platinum-Level Sponsors - Hearts On Fire, Natural Color Diamond Association, Venus Jewel; Gold-Level Sponsors - Centurion Jewelry, AGS Laboratories, American Gem Trade Association, Rapaport Group and The Julius Klein Group. Silver-Level Sponsors - I.Do. Diamonds Inc., First National Merchant Solutions, ARMS, The Gordon Company, W. R. Cobb Company, Diamond Staffing Solutions, Fruchtman Marketing.

The Society has announced it will celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2009 by opening Conclave, the organisation’s prestigious annual membership gathering, to non-member retailers for the first time. The four-day event, held at the Hyatt Regency Chicago hotel, will feature an intensive educational programme, hands-on workshops, a two-day Supplier Showcase and Fashion Show, and a special president’s celebration marking the Society’s milestone anniversary.