AGS adds two additional keynote speakers to its Conclave 2016

The American Gem Society (AGS) has added two additional speakers to the keynote lineup for the 2016 Conclave. The event’s April 15th breakfast keynote will feature former United States Navy Seal, Marcus Luttrell, whose story inspired the 2013 Oscar-nominated movie, “Lone Survivor.” Luttrell received the Navy Cross and Purple Heart for his actions in June 2005, facing Taliban fighters, and was a Hospital Corpsman First Class by the end of his eight-year career in the United States Navy. He now co-hosts “After Action,” a TV show where former special operations veterans talk about issues in the United States. In 2010, Luttrell established the Lone Survivor Foundation, whose mission is to assist wounded warriors and their families through health, wellness, and therapeutic support.

Joel Zeff will also be a keynote speaker. He is doing double-duty as the Society’s emcee this year, as well. Zeff will be closing Conclave at the April 16th lunch. Zeff is known for his interactive exercises using audience participation to illustrate his central message: “We should celebrate everyday success to increase collaboration, productivity, passion and innovation.”Aside from being a national speaker and humorist, Zeff has been entertaining professionally for more than 10 years, and has performed with Ad-Libs, one of the country's premier improvisational comedy troupes, and also studied with the famed Second City Conservatory in Chicago.

The Conclave is slated at the Hyatt Regency Crystal City, outside Washington, D.C., April 13-16th.

“With the addition of these two gentlemen, it further affirms that Conclave 2016 is going to be our best event yet,” says Ruth Batson, CEO of AGS and AGS Laboratories. “Marcus Luttrell is a true American hero, with an incredible story to share. Joel Zeff was a featured speaker last year and the demand for him to return was so great that we knew we wanted to have him back right away, with an expanded role.”