Continental Buying Group Announces Speaker Lineup

PRESS RELEASE

Continental Buying Group Announces Speaker Lineup  

& AI-Powered Retail Workshop for January Miami Event 

MIAMI, FL - Continental Buying Group (CBG), the nation's leading organization for high volume independent jewelers, will host its 2026 Miami Event from January 19-21 at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida. Designed exclusively for CBG members, the Miami Event offers private buying opportunities, high-level networking, and industry leading education in a format unmatched anywhere in the jewelry industry.  

This year, CBG is proud to unveil a robust and influential lineup of speakers, along with a  hands-on AI workshop tailored specifically for jewelry retailers.  

A Powerful Three-Day Educational Program 

Sara E. Yood, Esq., President, CEO, and General Counsel of the Jewelers Vigilance  Committee (JVC), will open the Monday morning program with an in-depth look at the current  legal, regulatory, and ethical landscape shaping the jewelry industry as we head into the new  year. Yood is a widely respected authority in intellectual property, compliance, and global trade  issues affecting jewelry businesses.  

On Tuesday, attendees will hear from one of the most influential and respected voices in the  industry: Rob Bates. Bates, the news director of JCK for 27 years, is the winner of multiple Neal  Awards, five Eddie Awards, and the American Gem Society's Triple Zero Award. He will share  his sharp, informed perspective on the state of the jewelry business, the forces shaping  consumer behavior, and the emerging trends retailers need to understand for 2026 and beyond. 

On Wednesday, January 21, Jennifer Shaheen, founder and President of Technology  Therapy® Group, will lead an immersive, hands-on workshop titled "AI-Powered Retail:  Transform Your Business with ChatGPT and Claude." A nationally recognized expert in digital  strategy and AI for small businesses, Shaheen will guide CBG retailers through practical, real world use cases tailored specifically to jewelry operations.  

Workshop Highlights Include 

• Mastering strategic prompting 

• Competitive intelligence via review analysis. 

• Professional image evaluation & content creation 

• Choosing the right AI tool.

Participants will leave with ready-to-use prompts, repeatable frameworks, and actionable  strategies they can immediately apply to elevate their sales, marketing, and operations.  

Special Supplier Features 

Throughout the morning sessions, CBG supplier partners will debut new products, highlight  emerging innovations, and provide insights designed to help retailers capitalize on early-season  opportunities with exclusive information available only at the Miami Event.  

"CBG's mission has always been to give our retailers and suppliers the strongest community,  the most trusted relationships, and the highest-value information in the industry. This year's  Miami Event continues that tradition with content that is timely, strategic, and deeply relevant to  the challenges and opportunities ahead. Our speakers represent the very best voices in our  field, and we are committed to delivering education that empowers our members to thrive in  2026 and beyond."  

— Joe Murphy, CEO, Continental Buying Group  

"We built this program to be practical, hands-on, and immediately useful. Retailers will walk out  of the CBG sessions and workshop with real tools they can apply the moment they get home,  whether that is understanding the legal landscape, navigating the latest industry trends, or using  AI to strengthen their sales, marketing, and day-to-day operations. Our goal is simple: give our  members the clearest, most effective path to grow their business in the year ahead."  — Matt Tratner, President, Continental Buying Group  

Media Contact: 

Matt Tratner  

matt@cbgi.org