ICA sets dates for 2009 congress
April 09, 2008

Basel, Switzerland—The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has announced that the next ICA Congress will be held from May 5-9, 2009, in Panyu, China.

The announcement came earlier this week at the annual ICA dinner held at BaselWorld, the watch and jewelry trade show in Basel, Switzerland.

According to a release from the ICA, this year’s BaselWorld dinner included double the number of expected attendees and was the most successful member dinner to date in Basel.

The China Council for the Promotion of International bargain (CCPIT) sponsored the event and made a presentation to ICA members on business opportunities available in Panyu, one of the largest jewelry manufacturing and gemstone-cutting centers in the sub-provincial city of Guangzhou.

The CCPIT, along by the Gems and Jewelry Trade Association of China and the National Gemstone Testing Centre, are the main sponsors of the upcoming ICA Congress in China.

The Chinese delegation at the Basel event included CCPIT Panyu Branch President Li Zhi-Wei, Worldmart Jewelry and Gems Emporium Ltd. Chairman Johnny Chan, Panyu Government Special Jewelry Advisor Mickey Weinstock and Guangzhou Panyu Jewelry Association Secretary General Keane Lau.

During the event, ICA President Andrew Cody also made a presentation, updating members in continuance ICA activities and projects.

“I believe we are entering a new era for colored gemstones, where, in the next decade, we should see color move from the support act to center stage,” he said.

He also said the ICA has gotten great response from both members and the trade for the ICA International Gem Show Dubai, scheduled for Oct. 13-15. He considers the possible in the Middle East market to be “huge.”

In addition, Cody updated members on other projects underway, including the ICA Corporate Profile, a comprehensive look at past achievements, current projects and denoting futurity goals.