The Continental Buying Group (CBG), a prominent organization supporting 93 leading independent jewelry retailers across North America, recently hosted its “CBG Experience” event in Phoenix, Arizona. Held from September 14 to 16, 2026, at the Arizona Biltmore, this three-day gathering served as a vital platform for its retail and supplier members, fostering an environment rich with opportunities for purchasing, collaboration, educational enrichment, and community building.

A significant highlight of the Phoenix event was the introduction of “The Essentials at CBG.” This innovative pavilion was specifically designed to offer a prominent and easily accessible space within the main event floor for emerging and value-focused brands. The debut members of this section, including Lucina K, Elysian Designs, Lali Jewels, and Guild & Facet, showcased a diverse array of offerings, contributing to the vibrant marketplace and emphasizing CBG's commitment to nurturing new talent and expanding product ranges for its members.

Engaging Programming and Industry Insights

The event's morning sessions were strategically structured to maximize member engagement and provide actionable insights. The “Strategic Discussions” on Monday offered a peer-to-peer format where retailers and suppliers collaborated on five critical industry topics: natural versus lab-grown diamonds, effective in-store events, leveraging technology and data, best practices for buying from the public, and strategies for staff recruitment and retention. This interactive approach allowed participants to exchange ideas and develop solutions in a focused, collaborative environment, with each table dedicated to a specific subject, some even running concurrently due to high demand. The format was well-received, leading to its planned continuation in future events.

Tuesday's keynote address featured Rishad Tobaccowala, a distinguished marketing innovator and former Chief Strategist at Publicis Groupe. Drawing from his book, “Rethinking Work,” Tobaccowala explored how independent businesses can strategically adapt, differentiate, and lead in an evolving market increasingly shaped by artificial intelligence. His presentation provided valuable perspectives on navigating technological shifts. The educational programming concluded on Wednesday with the third installment of CBG’s AI curriculum, a practical, hands-on workshop led by Jennifer Shaheen of Technology Therapy Group. This session moved beyond theoretical concepts, focusing on tangible applications of AI that members could immediately implement in their businesses, demonstrating CBG's dedication to equipping its members with cutting-edge tools and knowledge.

Expanding Membership and Future Outlook

The Phoenix event proved to be a catalyst for growth, successfully attracting and integrating new retail members into the CBG community. Several guest retailers from previously open territories attended, and three of these businesses—Dream Jewelers of Oshkosh, Wisconsin; JewelSmiths of Oklahoma City, Oklahoma; and Treml’s Jewelry of Lebanon, Oregon—officially joined the group. This expansion underscores the event's effectiveness in showcasing the benefits of CBG membership and strengthening its network across North America. Leadership expressed enthusiasm for the positive energy and community engagement observed in Phoenix, which they anticipate carrying forward to their upcoming event.

Reflecting on the success, Joe Murphy, CEO of Continental Buying Group, highlighted the event's ability to draw in new participants and facilitate meaningful connections, emphasizing the dynamic growth within the community. Matt Tratner, President of CBG, noted the positive feedback regarding the revamped morning sessions, particularly the Strategic Discussions, which were praised for fostering direct peer interaction. Member testimonials further reinforced the event’s impact, with attendees like Katie Goode of Amidon Jewelers praising the practical insights gained from both the strategic discussions and Jennifer Shaheen’s AI workshop. Vedant Kothari of KGK ONE and Elizabeth Strickland of Lucina K commended the networking opportunities and the thoughtfully designed Essentials pavilion, which facilitated connections between suppliers and retailers. Looking ahead, CBG is preparing for its next community event scheduled from January 18 to 20, 2027, at the JW Marriott Turnberry in Aventura, Florida, aiming to build on the momentum generated in Phoenix.