The Jewelry Industry Summit, the open forum on sustainability and responsible sourcing, has announced speakers and planned poster sessions, as well as additional sponsors for the event. The forum is taking place at the Fashion Institute of Technology in New York City March 11–13, with an opening reception on the evening of March 10. The summit is organized to be an interactive, working meeting, with large and small discussion groups assisted by professional facilitators rather than a full agenda of speakers. However, conference planners have invited a few speakers to share information to help the group gain insight on what currently constitutes a responsible sourcing program.

Scheduled to speak so far are Anna Bario, co-owner of the responsibly sourced designer jewelry brand Bario Neal, and Stewart Grice, vice president of the supplier Hoover & Strong, which boasts the long-established Harmony brand of recycled and fair-trade metals and gems. A representative from sustainable designer brand Melissa Joy Manning will also speak. Diamond Development Initiative executive director Dorothée Gizenga will address attendees, as will Erik Jens, CEO of ABN AMRO Bank’s International Diamond & Jewelry Group. Maria Gorsuch-Kennedy, principal program manager, global products operations sustainability for Dell, the international computer and technology firm, will speak about driving social and environmental responsibility throughout the computer hardware product life cycle. Gorsuch-Kennedy will also address Dell’s membership in the Conflict-Free Sourcing Initiative, one of the most utilized and respected resources for companies that want to avoid sourcing minerals and metals that fuel conflict.

The Jewelry Industry Summit will also host poster sessions for the three-day event. Among those committed at press time (in alphabetical order): Alliance for Responsible Mining, Columbia Gem House, the Diamond Development Initiative, the Diamond Empowerment Fund, Elevate, Ethical Metalsmiths, Hoover & Strong, Martello Risk, Responsible Jewellery Council, Richline Group, Underwriters Laboratories, and the United States Council for International Business. 

New sponsors for the Jewelry Industry Summit include presenting sponsor Signet Jewelers and media sponsors InStore, JCK, National Jeweler, The New Jeweller, Rapaport Magazine, and IDEX Online. Other sponsors include: ABN AMRO Bank’s International Diamond & Jewelry Group, AIGS Lab (Bangkok), the World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO), Friedman LLP, Neil Gibgot (managing partner of Gibgot, Willenbacher & Co.), JA New York, the Plumb Club, Rough Diamond Traders, and the World Gold Council.

Summit registration includes free entry and badges to JA New York’s spring show, which will also enable badge holders to visit MJSA Expo New York, a show for jewelry-makers and designers, and the antique jewelry show Lueur. Summit registration costs $400, with a $50 discount for members within a wide range of industry trade associations. Attendees should confirm with their organizations about the discount code before registering. The summit fee includes the cocktail reception on March 10 and all meals, plus an opening day lunch at JA New York. To register, click here. For more information, contact: Suzan Flamm, Jewelry Industry Summit administrator, 212-997-2002, suzan@jvclegal.org.

JCK