Initiatives in Art and Culture (IAC) is set to host its 14th annual Gold and Diamond Conference in New York City from July 16-17, with a welcome reception on July 15. The event will take place at the Bohemian National Hall, beginning with opening remarks by IAC President and Founder Lisa Koenigsberg.
Conference Theme and Key Focus Areas
The conference theme, “Expanding Horizons,” aims to foster cross-sector collaboration and address pressing global challenges within the gold, diamond, and jewelers sectors. The agenda includes panels on climate change, gender inequality, and the socioeconomic conditions of mining communities.
Opening Remarks and Initial Panels
Lisa Koenigsberg will deliver the opening remarks, emphasizing the importance of dialogue and knowledge sharing to drive industry progress. “Through fostering dialogue, sharing knowledge, and driving progress in ways that benefit both our industry and the world, we broaden our horizons,” she stated.
Koenigsberg will also moderate the first panel, “Cross-Industry Convergence and Collaboration,” featuring:
- Gaetano Cavalieri, President of CIBJO
- Satta Matturi, Creative Director of Matturi Fine Jewelers
- John Mulligan, Director and Climate Lead of the World Gold Council
- Iris Van der Veken, Executive Director of the Watch and Jewelers Initiative 2030
Special Presentations and Discussions
Mmetla Masire, CEO of Okavango Diamond Company, will present “Diamonds in Botswana,” addressing the uniqueness of Botswana’s diamond industry and its value retention strategies.
Brecken Branstrator, Editor-in-Chief of Gemworld, will moderate “Comparative Approaches to Retaining Greater Value in Producing Countries,” with insights from:
- Avi Levy, former President of IGI North America
- Douglas Neves, CEO of Cruzeiro Mine
- Marcelo Ribeiro, CEO of Belmont Emerald Mines
- Mmetla Masire
Focus on Single-Source Gold and Traceability
Post-lunch, attendees can attend “Gold: Single Mine, Single Source – A Closer Look,” discussing the benefits and complexities of single-source gold. Panelists include:
- Charlie Betts, Group Managing Director of The Betts Group
- Emefa Cole, Goldsmith and Curator at the Victoria & Albert Museum
- Tony Maietta, Product Engineering at C & J Fine Jewelry Matters
- Satta Matturi
Sessions on Provenance and Market State
Rob Bates of JCK will moderate a session on “Origin, Source, and Provenance,” featuring:
- David Block, CEO of Sarine
- Sara Yood, CEO and General Counsel at the Jewelers Vigilance Committee
- Mark Hanna, CMO of Richline Group
- Adriano Mol, Head of the Center for Gemstone and Jewelry Design, University of Minas Gerais State
- Ruby Stocklin-Weinberg, Program Manager of GemFair at De Beers
Brad Brooks-Rubin from the U.S. Department of State will lead “The State and Sanctions,” focusing on current U.S. sanctions on diamonds and gold, and their implications for the jewelers industry.
Rob Bates will also moderate “Current State of the Diamond Market,” with panelists:
- Olivia Landau, Founder and CEO of The Clear Cut
- Matt Schamroth, Partner at M. Schamroth & Sons
- Ronnie VanderLinden, President of Diamex Inc.
- Amish Shah, Founder and CEO of Altr
The conference will explore essential topics for jewelers, such as sustainability, ethical sourcing, and regulatory compliance. Discussions on single-source gold and diamond market dynamics will provide insights into traceability and consumer trust, crucial for maintaining industry integrity. The focus on cross-sector collaboration underscores the need for collective efforts to address global challenges, promising advancements in sustainable practices and value retention in producing countries.
