|
RAPAPORT... The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) updated its schedule and speaker program for an upcoming congress, which is scheduled for May 12 to 16 and leads into the Changsha Show. The theme of this event, “Sourcing Countries and China Market,” is meant to build a “green channel” for members and help them explore the business potential of China and the global market. Congress attendees may register on May 12 and 13 and the event kicks off with a gala evening on May 13. There will be a special tour of the International Gemstone Culture and Creative Industrial Park (IGCCIP) during the afternoon of May 14. On May 14 and 15, the congress will feature more than 30 Chinese and international speakers who will be sharing their expertise in fields ranging from gemstone production and mining to the creation of and marketing of gems and jewelry designs. During the morning hours of May 16, delegates are invited to the grand Changsha Show opening and the China (Changsha) Mineral and Gem Show. Later that day, eligible delegates will gather for the ICA Members General Assembly where the new president and board of directors will be inducted. The list of confirmed congress speakers follows. Luis Gabriel Angarita, the president of the Colombian Gemstones Exporters Association (ACODES) and executive board member of the Colombian Emerald Federations (FEDESMERALDAS), will address ''Colombian Emeralds: An update and outlook in the world gems market.'' Andy Lucas, product manager of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA), will discuss ''Education: From source to counter.'' Vincent Pardieu, the supervisor of field gemology for GIA, plans to address ''Gemstone sources for the 21th century: Challenges and opportunities.'' Jean Claude Michelou, ICA's vice president, chairman of ICA's ethical mining and trading committee and a senior technical adviser on the UNCRI initiative project, will discuss the global initiative for tracing and certifying colored stones. Francis Cui, the CEO and co-founder of colored-stone.com and an ICA ambassador, plans to speak on ''How to develop a colored stone business through the Internet.'' Marcelo Ribeiro, the director of Belmont Mine, will speak on ''Emeralds: Key aspects from source to market. Sophia Chong, the director of publications for the Hong Kong Trade & Development Council (HKTD), expects to address ways to help SMEs expand their global trade through the HKTDC’s Integrated Marketplace. Marc Brauner, the co-CEO of IGI Worldwide, will address jewelry certification and imaging. Shirley Zhang, the founder of the MeiHe Jewelry styling Research Center, will share thoughts on ''Jewelry Styling Arts - The colors become integral part of your life.'' Hécliton Santini Henriques, the president of the Brazilian Gems & Jewellery Trade Association, will present ''Brazil: The land of precious stones.'' Daniel Nyfeler of the Gübelin Gem Lab will address treatment disclosures on colored gemstones. Ian Harebottle, the CEO of Gemfields, will present ''An explosion of color.'' Pornsawat Wathanakul, a GIT academic adviser, plans to speak on ''Color gemstones language and classification tools.'' Tanzania officials Ally B. Samaje and Stephen Masele will discuss the development of gemstone industry in Tanzania with a focus on a legal framework, the controls and the country's trading environment. Duke Lee, director of the Pallidium Alliance International, plans to speak on ''Palladium is color.'' Other speakers include Susil Premajayantha, Sri Lanka's Minister of Environment and Renewable Energy, and A.H. Muhammed Imtizam, an ICA director and chairman of Gem Paradise.
|