The Gemological Institute of America Symposium 2011 will include keynotes and lectures from those in business, the jewelry trade and of course, scientists and gemologists, as it tries to tackle the most pressing issues that impact the global gem and jewelry industry.
The trade only international conference of gem industry business leaders and research scientists, being held May 29-30 at GIA’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, will include Steve Forbes, Rick Harrison and Scott Galloway.
The trade only international conference of gem industry business leaders and research scientists, being held May 29-30 at GIA’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, will include Steve Forbes, Rick Harrison and Scott Galloway.
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| Steve Forbes |
Forbes, chairman of Forbes Media and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, will deliver the keynote address for Symposium 2011: “Advancing the Science and Business of Gems.”
Forbes has launched a variety of new publications and businesses, including: ForbesLife, the dedicated luxury lifestyle and culture magazine; ForbesWoman, providing Forbes’ community of executive women with luxury lifestyle content; Forbes Asia; and Forbes licensee editions published in China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. The company also publishes a number of investment newsletters. Another division of the company is Forbes Investors Advisory Institute. Forbes.com attracts 18 million unique visitors a month and has become the leading destination site for senior business decision-makers and investors.
A widely respected economic prognosticator, Forbes is the only writer to have won the highly prestigious Crystal Owl Award for accurate economic forecasting four times. In addition, he has authored multiple books on leadership, economics and capitalism.
Forbes campaigned for the American presidency in 1996 and 2000. President Ronald Reagan named him chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting, where Forbes served from 1985 until 1993.
GIA Symposium’s Business Track Sessions are divided into two categories: “Advancing the Business of Gems” and “Advances in Gemological Research.”
Forbes has launched a variety of new publications and businesses, including: ForbesLife, the dedicated luxury lifestyle and culture magazine; ForbesWoman, providing Forbes’ community of executive women with luxury lifestyle content; Forbes Asia; and Forbes licensee editions published in China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. The company also publishes a number of investment newsletters. Another division of the company is Forbes Investors Advisory Institute. Forbes.com attracts 18 million unique visitors a month and has become the leading destination site for senior business decision-makers and investors.
A widely respected economic prognosticator, Forbes is the only writer to have won the highly prestigious Crystal Owl Award for accurate economic forecasting four times. In addition, he has authored multiple books on leadership, economics and capitalism.
Forbes campaigned for the American presidency in 1996 and 2000. President Ronald Reagan named him chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting, where Forbes served from 1985 until 1993.
GIA Symposium’s Business Track Sessions are divided into two categories: “Advancing the Business of Gems” and “Advances in Gemological Research.”
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| Rick Harrison |
Harrison of History’s reality television series Pawn Stars, will participate on the “Everything Old is New Again – The Appeal of Auctions, Estate & Vintage Markets” panel.
Pawn Stars chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located on the Las Vegas strip, a third-generation family business operated by Harrison, and his father and son. Harrison, trained in the pawn business from the age of 13, has showed signs of being a hustler from birth and is known as the “The Spotter” on the show because he easily picks out fake or stolen pieces—especially big-ticket items. Interesting items featured on the show included a 15th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting, and a 17th-century stay of execution.
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was awarded the “Pawnbroker of the Year” award by the National Pawnbroker’s Association for bringing the industry greater recognition and a better image through the TV show.
Other panel and lecture topics include consumer behavior, luxury marketing, design trends, social media, advances in gemstone treatments and technology, new gem localities and the social, political and ethical issues of the production and distribution of gems and jewelry.
Pawn Stars chronicles the daily activities at the Gold & Silver Pawn Shop located on the Las Vegas strip, a third-generation family business operated by Harrison, and his father and son. Harrison, trained in the pawn business from the age of 13, has showed signs of being a hustler from birth and is known as the “The Spotter” on the show because he easily picks out fake or stolen pieces—especially big-ticket items. Interesting items featured on the show included a 15th-century samurai sword, a Super Bowl ring, a Picasso painting, and a 17th-century stay of execution.
The Gold & Silver Pawn Shop was awarded the “Pawnbroker of the Year” award by the National Pawnbroker’s Association for bringing the industry greater recognition and a better image through the TV show.
Other panel and lecture topics include consumer behavior, luxury marketing, design trends, social media, advances in gemstone treatments and technology, new gem localities and the social, political and ethical issues of the production and distribution of gems and jewelry.
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| Scott Galloway |
* Dilip Mehta, CEO of the Rosy Blue Group,
* Douglas Hucker, CEO of the American Gem Trade Association,
* Wallace Chan, world-renowned jewelry designer,
* Stuart Robertson, a leading gemstone research and pricing expert,
* Ken Royal, senior client service manager of Gallup,
* Gary Schuler, senior vice president for Sotheby’s and head of the company’s Jewelry Department since 2002.
“Symposium 2011 brings together an impressive and inspiring combination of thought leaders from the world of business,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer, who is co-chair of the business track for Symposium. “These experts will explore important topics from a wide range of perspectives, providing attendees with a unique opportunity to gain insight into the most important business advancements shaping the gem and jewelry industry.”
GIA Symposium 2011 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of GIA with events that celebrate the Institute’s commitment to serving the public and trade through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development.
For more information or to register, visit the Symposium website or e-mail symposium2011@gia.edu.