Expanding Horizons
IAC’s 14th Annual Gold + Diamond Conference
July 15 (evening) – 17, 2024
Bohemian National Hall
321 E. 73 St.
New York, NY
In Expanding Horizons, IAC’s 2024 Gold + Diamond Conference, we built on groundwork laid in Maintaining Purpose, our 2023 conference.
In 2023, we defined the work to be done to make our industry (and thus the world) better, from upstream supply chains to the downstream realization of artistic vision in fine jewelry. This year, we expand our horizons, and consider how to effect positive change, and in particular the practicalities of so doing.
Mastering these practicalities requires that we understand both the interconnectedness of all things as well as how they might differ one from the other despite their interconnections. Thus, for example, the distinct economic and social realities of the Global South must impact how we approach a “just transition” with respect to combatting climate change. Drilling down (so to speak), we must define workable, always context-sensitive solutions for addressing societal and economic gender inequality, the disadvantages faced by mining communities—disadvantages potentially linked to a one-size-fits-all approach to global warming—and how producers of gold, diamonds, and colored stones can maximize the value they retain in-country from their production. We must also address cultural heritage, training for the future, and meeting the needs of an expanding consumer base.
The goals we set (and the words we use to articulate them) must be commonly understood. Consensus is key, and we must remain focused on how best to achieve it, given both the number of and often enormous differences among stakeholders throughout the world and the impossibility of effecting global change without enlisting these stakeholders in the process. And, not least, we must realize (and act in accordance with that realization) that conventional answers to difficult questions are often well past their sell-by dates.
Expanding Horizons continued IAC’s cross-disciplinary approach to the industry, transcending conventional discourse by bringing together representatives from every sector and thought-leaders from varied disciplines, challenging all to embrace change without fear.
Committed speakers constituted a Who’s Who in the diamond, colored stones, and gold and jewelry communities.
CIBJO is IAC’s Conference Partner for Expanding Horizons.
We express sincere gratitude to our sponsors (as of July 13, 2024):
Program agenda
Subject to change
Monday, July 15, 2024
| 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Opening reception
Heritage Auctions Welcoming remarks. Roberta Kramer (VP | Strategy & Business Development) |
Tuesday, July 16, 2024
Formal sessions take place at Bohemian National Hall, 321 E 73rd Street, New York, NY (between First and Second Avenues).
| 8:45 – 9:10 a.m. | Registration and continental breakfast | |
| 9:10 – 9:30 a.m. | Opening remarks Lisa Koenigsberg (Founder / President, Initiatives in Art and Culture) |
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| 9:30 – 10:35 a.m. | Cross-industry Convergence and Collaboration
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| 10:40 – 11:25 a.m. | Diamonds in Botswana Mmetla Masire (CEO, Okavango Diamond Company) |
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| 11:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. | Comparative Approaches to Retaining Greater Value in Producing Countries
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| 12:30 – 1:45 p.m. | Luncheon (on your own) |
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| 1:45 – 2:45 p.m. | Gold: Single Mine, Single Source – A Closer Look
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| 2:50 – 3:45 p.m. | Origin, Source, and Provenance
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| 3:45 – 4:00 p.m. | Break | |
| 4:00 – 4:15 p.m. | The State and Sanctions Brad Brooks-Rubin (Senior Advisor in the Office of the Sanctions Coordinator, US Department of State) |
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| 4:20 – 5:30 p.m. | The Current State of the Diamond Market
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| 5:30 – 7:00 p.m. | Awards presentation and reception
Presentation of the Seventh Responsible Practice in Jewelry Leadership Award (to recognize a member of the jewelry industry, or a jewelry-focused organization that has made a transformational contribution to ethical sourcing and responsible practices in the worldwide gem and jewelry industry); and of the fourth award for Extraordinary Contributions to the Diamond and Jewelry Industries (reflecting IAC’s belief in collaboration, community, and commitment, and is intended to recognize and honor extraordinary ongoing engagement and dedication to the realization of positive change in these industries). |
Wednesday, July 17 2024
Formal sessions take place at Bohemian National Hall, 321 E 73rd Street, New York, NY (between First and Second Avenues).
| 8:30 – 9:00 a.m. | Registration and continental breakfast | |
| 9:00 – 9:10 a.m. | Opening remarks Lisa Koenigsberg |
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| 9:10 – 10:00 a.m. | Looking Beyond Net Zero – Climate Change Actions and the Just Transition
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| 10:05 – 11:00 a.m. | Cultural Heritage and Artistic Practice, Provenance, and Repatriation
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| 11:05 – 11:50 a.m. | Responsible Sourcing and Supply Chain Due Diligence A Conversation With Edward Bickham (Senior Adviser, World Gold Council)
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| 11:55 – 12:45 p.m. | Human and Labor Rights
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| 12:45 – 2:00 p.m. | Luncheon and discussion sponsored by the World Bank Discussion of best practices and approaches applied to-date concerning site safety and environmental stewardship and security in ASM as they relate to World Bank initiatives ranging from occupational health and safety to mercury abatement to mine development. |
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| 2:00 – 3:00 p.m. | ASM – How Do We Identify and Fund Enduring and Scalable Solutions?
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| 3:00 – 3:15 p.m. | Break | |
| 3:15 – 4:10 p.m. | Training for the Future: A Conversation
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| 4:15 – 5:05 p.m. | Jewelry for Gentlemen
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| 5:05 p.m. | Closing remarks Lisa Koenigsberg |
