ICA 2005 Congress to highlight opportunities for color

New York, November 29, 2004 — A changing world of new opportunities” is the slogan of the upcoming 11th Congress of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA), to be held in Bangkok February 18-21, 2005. Dealers from all over the world are getting ready to converge on Bangkok’s legendary five-star Shangri-La Hotel on the banks of the Chaophraya River (the River of the Kings) for this unique twice-yearly event, which will be held just two weeks after the Tucson Gem Shows, and immediately before the Bangkok Gems and Jewellery Show, which starts the day after the Congress ends.

The focus of the Congress will be on emerging markets—both geographic and technological. “Our industry has been faced with a myriad of changes, that, if tackled sensibly, will offer endless opportunities to grow our products’ market share,” said ICA President Joseph M. Menzie. “Therefore we will be offering participants, ICA members and non-members alike, information on new markets, new technologies, new players in the global arena and new ways to promote colored gemstones. We fully intend to create an event that demonstrates to everyone in the industry ICA’s truly international scope, as well as its genuine dedication to the marketing and promotion of colored gemstones around the world.”

Following is a brief précis of the conference. The full ICA Congress schedule, with a detailed program, registration, hotel reservation and rate information is downloadable as brochure in PDF format.

Thursday, February 17: Registration and practice for the ICA Golf and Tennis tournament.

Friday, February 18: General conference registration. ICA Golf and Tennis tournament.

Saturday, February 19: “Promoting Colored Gemstones on a Global Scale.” Eric Braunwart will deliver the keynote address. Braunwart is president of Columbia Gem House, a Vancouver, Wa.-based firm that is a leading U.S. marketer of colored gemstones to the jewelry manufacturing and retail trades. Braunwart, a veteran ICA member who currently serves as president of the American Gem Trade Association (AGTA), will speak on “Bringing Color to the Mass Market.”
Later on Saturday, participants can attend sessions on the creation of a national marketing program, using the model devised by ICA Ambassador to Portugal Rui Galopim de Carvalho; on the promotion of colored gemstones as a lifestyle gift, with Japan’s 2003 ruby promotion as the featured case study; and on Sri Lanka’s successful branding of its sapphires by “country of origin.” The final session of the day will feature a discussion of “The Shifting Balance of Power, From Mine to Market,” with an international panel of experts. Saturday evening will close for the delegates with a sunset river cruise and dinner.

Sunday, February 20: Supply and demand. The subject of the production and consumption of colored gemstones will be discussed from three different points of view—upstream, midstream and downstream. For the upstream perspective, concise presentations will focus on Madagascar, East Africa and South America. For those interested in the midstream, presentations on “adding value” through quality cutting in Idar-Oberstein, Germany and on Thailand’s emergence as a gemstone superpower should satisfy.
Newly appointed ICA Ambassador to China Zhengfa Liu and several other important Far Eastern colored gemstone dealers will offer a downstream perspective under the heading “Emerging Markets.” This session will feature exclusive, up-to-date information on the structure, workings and size of the jewelry markets in China. Other emerging markets to be highlighted include Dubai and the rest of the United Arab Emirates, South Korea, Eastern Europe and Russia. A leading Russian gemstone manufacturer and dealer has agreed to share his insights into the characteristics of this potentially huge consumer market for colored stones and gemstone-set jewelry.
Sunday evening will end with a traditional gala dinner and cultural show in the Shangri-La’s Grand Ballroom.

Monday, February 21: The final day of the conference will focus on the ways in which the Internet and other advanced communications technologies have become part and parcel of the gemstone trade. In a session titled “Innovation, Technologies and Challenges,” participants will learn about the selling opportunities these new technologies offer. Featured speakers will hail from the American Collectibles Home Shopping Network (ACN)—one of the most successful home shopping operations in the United States—and E-Bay. Participants will also be able to learn about the GemEWizard color system and the latest initiatives of Polygon with regard to colored gemstones and ICA membership.

Two more subjects are slated for the final day of the Congress—a series of presentations by leading international and ICA-affiliated gemological laboratories, and the challenge of “consumer confidence.” A fabulous gala dinner will then bring the conference to a close.

“With the challenges of the 21st century and the obvious opportunities to reach new consumers, also come responsibilities,” Menzie said. “Today’s educated and well-informed consumer wants products that are untainted, meaning that they need to be uncontroversial [and] produced without harming the health of the people involved in the process, the environment or the essential fabric of society. We’ll offer a number of presentations and viewpoints.”

Download as PDF file:
Congress Program / Registration Brochure (5,1 MB)


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