Guest of Honour

His Highness Sheikh Ahmed Bin Saeed Al Maktoum – President Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates







SESSION I – INDUSTRY OVERVIEW AND FINANCE

Keynote address

Sheikha Lubna Bint Khaled Al Qasimi, Minister of Economy and Planning, United Arab Emirates


“Jewellery industry and its role in United Arab Emirates Economic growth”








Colin A. Griffith

Executive Director – Dubai Multi Commodities Centre
Chairman Dubai Gold & Commodities Exchange

Topic: “Dubai – A global hub for precious metals”

“The continued success of Dubai City of Gold conference speaks for Dubai’s significance in the global gold trade. The conference has grown in scale and importance in the last few years and has helped to focus attention on some of the crucial issues facing the industry. In addition, it has also contributed to the development of the gold trade in and through Dubai. We look forward to supporting this year’s conference, which will focus on the opportunities and challenges facing the global gold jewellery industries.”-
- Colin A. Griffith


As a leading member of the international gold and precious metals community with over 30 years experience, Colin Griffith was appointed by DMCC in 2003 as Executive Director for the Gold & Precious Metals sector to specifically drive regional market and product development. Colin has held senior trading, marketing and managerial positions for three very contrasting, international organizations – Mocatta (now Scotia Mocatta), Credit Suisse and Standard Bank.

Since joining DMCC in 2003 he has pioneered the development of the Dubai Good Delivery, Dubai Gold Receipt alongside the implementation of Gold Sukuk DMCC – a US $ 200 Million 5 year Sharia compliant financing.

He was appointed Director of DGCX in November 2004 and subsequently chairman of DGCX.


Alison Burns

Regional Head for Precious metals – MENA
Standard Bank Plc, Dubai branch

Topic: “Protecting your gold price risk in a rising market” alison

"We are particularly grateful and proud of our long association with the Dubai gold market and our sponsorship of the 5th Dubai City of Gold conference underlines the bank’s ongoing commitment to providing both support and financial innovation to the industry.

We look forward to another excellent conference programme for 2007 with a variety of international speakers providing “food for thought” on a wide range of important issues for consideration by jewellery retailers and wholesalers everywhere "-
- Alison Burns

Alison Burns was appointed in December 2006 as Standard Bank Plc's Regional Head of Precious Metals, MENA. The bank has a long and significant history of providing financial solutions to the global bullion industry and during her years with Standard Bank, Alison has been responsible for a broad and varied worldwide client base, with notable experience working with the Indian and European jewellery markets. Prior to her appointment with Standard Bank Plc, Alison worked for seven years within ScotiaMocatta London's precious metals division.










Nicholas T. J. Paspaley AC

Chairman of the Board of Directors, Paspaley Pearls Group

Topic: “Pearls in the Jewellery Industry”



Nicholas Paspaley is the Chairman of the Board of Directors of Paspaley Pearls, the leading Australian Pearl company.

Nick joined his father in the family business in 1969 after graduating with a degree in economics from Sydney University. Within twelve months, he was at the helm of a traditional pearling lugger. Over the next 30 years, Nick developed modern systems that took pearling into the 21st century and placed Paspaley at the forefront of the industry worldwide.

His passion for pearling and eye for detail have instilled a pursuit of excellence into the company that has seen its products achieve the reputation of being the world’s finest.

On Australia Day in 1999, Nick was awarded Australia’s highest civilian honour: Companion in the Order of Australia (AC) for his contributions to Australian Industry.



SESSION II– Supply & Demand: Do we have a resource crunch? A future perspective



Martin Rapaport

Chief Executive Officer – Rapaport Group

Topic:“Corporate Responsibility, Transparency & Commoditization”



Martin Rapaport is a well-known figure in the diamond industry, best known for establishing the Rapaport Diamond Price List in 1978 --which has become the primary source of diamond price and market information for the diamond trade. Over the years, the list has expanded into the Rapaport Diamond Report, a monthly magazine that provides extensive reporting on the diamond, gem and jewelry industries. In 1982, Mr. Rapaport established RapNet, an online interactive diamond trading market that has since expanded to include Diamonds.Net and INDEX® - the Internet Diamond Exchange, an electronic market for diamond trading which lists over 300,000 stones for sale with a value in excess of US$2.7 billion.

Mr. Rapaport is a member of the World Diamond Council and played an integral part in the establishment of the Kimberley Process. He is a strong advocate of diamonds for development alongside an ethical diamond trade and is also a founding member of the Diamond Development Initiative (DDI).

Mr. Rapaport has a degree in Business Administration along with a strong background in Economics and Computer Sciences from post-graduate studies at New York University. He studied polished sorting, grading and pricing in Antwerp, Israel and New York and has completed the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) diamond grading course.





Ernest Blom

President - World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB)

Topic: “Consumer confidence in Diamonds- Kimberly process and creating partnership to encourage International cooperation”



Ernest Blom is a third generation diamantaire who with his son Aron run the Ernest Blom Diamonds and Ernest Blom Diamond Cutting Works, South Africa.

A well respected individual amongst the global diamond community and an active leader in the South African marketing in particular, Blom holds key influential roles in the industry including: Vice President of the World Diamond Council, Vice President of CIBJO, Board Member of South African Diamond Board, Chairman of Diamond Bourse of South Africa and Board Member of Dubai Diamond Exchange.

Blom started off as a Diamond Polisher at a young age. At the age of twenty four he became the youngest Vice President of the South African Diamond Workers Union. In 1978, he started his own business as a polished diamond dealer and in 1980, he obtained a Rough Diamond Dealers License, followed by a Diamond Cutting License in 1986.

In the early 1980s, he was part of the industry initiative to start the Rough Diamond Dealers Association and became its Chairman in 1983, a position he held till 2005.

Blom was also instrumental in the launching the Diamond Merchants Association of South Africa and became its first Chairman. This organisation later amalgamated with the Diamond Dealers Club and Blom continued as the Chairman.

In 2002 he was elected the Vice President of the World Federation of Diamond Bourses (WFDB) and in 2006 he was appointed the President of WFDB.

Apart from being a diamaintaire, for seven years Blom served as Chairman of the Honorary Rangers Association of South African National Parks. He is also a qualified pilot and a registered Dive Master in scuba diving, one of his passions.



Paul Van Eeden

Financial Analyst & Writer

Topic: “Gold a Monetary Perspective”

“City of Gold Conference is known to be an exceptionally well organized Conference with a wide variety of industry speakers who present a wealth of knowledge and insight into metals and precious gems markets. I believe this year the conference will once again offer us the opportunity to learn first-hand, from experts, what may lie in store for these markets going forward and where the pitfalls are that we need to look out for.”
- Paul Van Eeden



An investor, analyst and writer, Paul Van Eeden is best known for his work on the monetary aspects of gold. In the late 1990s he predicted the rise in gold prices by analyzing the correlation between money supply and the price of gold. He also presented the impact of exchange rates on gold price during the 1990s and predicted a decline in the USdollar with a consequent rise in the gold price. Paul Van Eeden is a frequent speaker at international investment conferences and a regular guest on several North American radio and television programmes. In addition to his interest in gold, he is also an active investor in mineral exploration and writes a newsletter on investing in such companies.

John Reid,


Head Global Markets – Rand Refinery

reid

 


Rand Refinery being an integrated precious metals management company that has built its reputation on quality, reliability and integrity, aims to create closer relationships to end-users and consumers of gold bullion in the Gulf region. The City of Gold Conference has proved over the last four years to be the catalyst in the pursuit of this aim, specifically enabling the nurturing of and the development of new relationships with market makers in this important segment of international trade” – John Reid

John obtained a Bachelor’s Degree in Economics from Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh and a Master’s Degree in Business Leadership from the University of South Africa. He joined Rand Refinery Limited in May 2004 and is Head of the Global Markets function where his overall responsibilities cover client relationships, products, sales, precious metals accounting and the Treasury function. He built his career in global banking and corporate treasuries, with considerable experience in structured and corporate finance and credit functions. He has served as a director of various companies and as a trustee of medical aid societies and pension funds. He is past President of Association Cambiste Internationale (The Financial Markets Association) in South Africa, an associate member of the SA Corporate Treasurers Association (ACTSA) and a member of the Global Association of Risk Professionals (GARP.) He enjoys outdoor pursuits and is an active paragliding pilot.

In 2006, David was appointed to the position of Worldwide Marketing Director at the DTC, the sales and marketing arm of the De Beers Group. In his current role, David’s vision is to deliver creative communications and marketing initiatives for diamonds.


SESSION III – Retail, Markets, Technology, E-commerce & Research: A Global Perspective

Kenneth Gassman

Founder & President, Jewellery Industry Research

Topic: Simple Steps to successful retailing

"Recent research on the American jewellery market has uncovered a new group of consumers much younger than traditional jewelry purchasers --who are buying jewellery from online jewelry retailers. 5th Dubai City of Gold Conference participants will find out what these "new" jewelry consumers are buying, where they are buying it, and how much money they are spending on their jewellery purchases. The "lifetime value" of these new consumers is enormous, and jewellers must be properly prepared for the opportunity to sell to them. Jewellery suppliers need to understand the type of product that they must produce, if they want to tap into this important, rapidly developing market.
- Kenneth Gassman


Founder & President of the Jewellery Industry Research Institute (JIRI), Kenneth Gassman has been involved with consumer research and marketing-focusing on the luxury goods markets-for more than 30 years.Gassman founded JIRI and since then his research findings have been published by major industry publications in the US and global jewellery publications. He has helped jewellers launch new business, improve productivity in existing businesses and sell jewellery operations. In addition, Gassman is a frequent speaker at jewellery industry shows and conferences including events in Basel, Mumbai, Antwerp, Vicenza, Bangkok, Hong Kong and Las Vegas.

Peter Meeus

Executive Director for Diamonds & Colored Stones, Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC), Government of Dubaipeter

Topic: “Master plan for Diamonds in Dubai”

‘The City of gold conference will be the first platform during which DMCC’s Masterplan for Diamonds will be presented. The Plan lists a wide range of initiatives that will take Dubai to the next step in becoming a regional full service trade center to the diamond business and the prime gate way to the buoyant Middle East diamond jewelry market.’

Peter Meeus (44) started his career as Chief of Staff of the Governor of Antwerp. He moved to the diamond business where he became Director of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse in 1992. He was appointed Managing Director to the HRD, the umbrella organisation of the Belgian’s world diamond center in 1999, a position he held for six years. Early 2006, Meeus moved to Dubai to join the DMCC as its Special Advisor Diamonds. Recently, he was appointed Executive Director Diamonds & Colored Stones of the DMCC.

Jacques Voorhees

Chairman & Founder, Polygon

Topic: Jewellery channel sales on e-commerce myth or reality

"As Dubai increasingly becomes a global hub for gem and jewellery trading it faces important challenges, not least of which is managing its perception in the marketplace. Most in our industry still don’t understand what is happening in Dubai. The City of Gold conference, among other things, helps focus attention on this pivotal region, and plays a key role in educating the jewellery world about significant trends and how Dubai is influencing them."-
- Jacques Voorhees


AJacques Voorhees is the chairman and founder of Polygon, the first and largest online business-to-business trading community in the jewellery industry. Polygon presently accounts for millions of dollars a day in transactions, and over $2 billion of gem and jewellery inventory listed daily. In the nineties, Polygon led the U.S. gem industry onto the Internet, with websites created for over 20,000 retail stores. Voorhees is also the inventor of two patent-pending Internet technologies: TradeLock™, software for password protecting B2B websites, and SiteInfusion™, a technology for co-op marketing on the Web. He has been profiled twice in Forbes magazine, and was named one of the jewelry industry’s most influential people by JCK magazine.

Bill Tomlinson

Managing Director, Landsteinar GCC The Navision People

Topic: How Microsoft can increase efficiency and profitability resulting in improved customer service for Jewellers

"The City of Gold conference will be a great opportunity to discuss with jewelers how Microsoft Dynamics offers an integrated solution to address their daily issues. The role of City of Gold conference grew to become the main Middle East venue in helping the jewelry industry. That is why Microsoft was keen to participate with the jewelry solution that helps from stone management to the control and planning of different inventories, retail outlets, and even manufacturing."-
- Bill Tomlinson


Bill Tomlinson is the Managing Director of Landsteinar GCC The Navision People, Microsoft Certified partner for business management solutions.

Having 29 years in the IT business, Tomlinson started his career with TEC (now Toshiba TEC). Using CPM and MS DOS based machines Tomlinson developed the first interface to a cash register handling stock and sales.

He worked in development, project management and consultancy roles and later became Product and Marketing Director for Toshiba-TEC Europe. Tomlinson was responsible for designing all the new retail hardware and software solutions packaged along with the hardware for various retail markets, from supermarkets through fashion to general retail. He was also the joint account and product manager handling the Morrisons Supermarket business which involved hardware and software solutions involving around 8000 POS terminals in the 3rd largest Supermarket chain in UK.

Tomlinson handled the strategy and infrastructure set up for the introduction of Navision and LS retail into the European organization of TEC Europe with customers such as Booths supermarkets, Levis etc.

After this he moved to K3 Landsteinar UK, now the largest total solution provider in the UK, using total Microsoft product range all around Dynamics NAV. In his role as Service Delivery, Customer Services and Account Manager for Adidas one of the largest Dynamics NAV users ever, he was involved in rolling out a global product strategy encompassing cross border reporting.

Tomlinson is a believer in Total Solutions, not just software, but hardware, consultancy, support and the ability to add value to customers throughout the market and partner channel.


Paul Walker

Chief Executive Officer, GFMS Ltd.

Topic: "How relevant are gold's supply and demand dynamics to the jewellery industry”?

"Dubai has for decades has an active bullion and jewellery market, but in the past decade has become a key global hub for both bullion and jewellery trading. Indeed, Dubai is probably the most diverse and competitive scrap, bullion and jewellery market in the world, and the development of the Dubai Gold and Commodity Exchange is likely to consolidate this position. For GFMS Dubai is easily one of the most interesting and complex markets to research - always a good excuse for us make regular visits to our many contacts in the market."-
- Paul Walker


Dr. Paul Walker is the Chief Executive Officer of GFMS, in addition to being responsible for gold, silver and PGM research in East Asia, India and South Africa. He joined the company in 1995.

After graduating with degrees in commerce and economics from the University of Cape Town, Paul worked as an economics researcher for a Member of Parliament in the UK House of Commons before joining the United Nations affiliated International Lead and Zinc Study Group, where he was involved in a wide range of economics studies and forecasts.

He has a PhD in the application of mathematical optimization to large non-linear economic systems from the University of Nottingham in the UK.

Day 2 – Monday 23, April, 2007

MARKETING- (Market Experts, Brands, Education & Marketing bodies)



Tawhid Abdullah,

Managing Director - Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group (DGJG).



Tawhid Abdullah is one of the most respected names in the gold and jewellery industry in the Middle East. He has served on the board of Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group, a jewellery trade association, since Year 2002, and was re-elected as Managing Director of the Group for the third time in June 2006.

Abdullah has already made his mark on the Group by introducing new strategies to help increase both the sales and the profile of the jewellery industry in Dubai. His initiatives have seen Dubai’s industry evolve into one of the region’s foremost centres for retail, wholesale, manufacturing and export

The Dubai Gold & Jewellery Group has spent more than $60 million till date in jewellery promotions which has developed its domestic market into one of the fastest growing in the world.Dubai has also become a knowledge centre for the jewellery industry with the Dubai City of Gold Conference, an annual international conference for the global jewellery industry, initiated by the Group.

Abdullah is also the Managing Director of Damas Jewellery LLC, a Dubai based international jewellery retail network and is responsible for the growth and expansion of the company.

Abdullah’s belief in giving back to the society has initiated him to serve as Director of a number of charity organisations such as Dubai Autism Centre and Rashid Paediatric Centre in UAE.



Philp Olden

Managing Director-Marketing & Jewellery, World Gold Council

Topic: "THE CHANGING FACE OF GOLD JEWELLERY MARKETING"

"The Dubai City of Gold Conference has established itself as the leading forum for the gold and jewellery industry in the Middle East region and internationally. The World Gold Council is proud to have associated with this Conference over the years and I look forward to lively debate and to meeting many friends and colleagues from the vibrant and dynamic gold and jewellery market."-
- Philp Olden


Philip has over 25 years' international experience in the marketing and general management of premium branded goods and retail organisations. He joined the World Gold Council in 2002, with overall responsibility for marketing at the WGC and specific responsibility for the jewellery sector. Philip has played a leading role in revitalising demand for gold in all sectors and particularly jewellery, which accounts for around ¾ of global demand. He has helped transform the WGC into the commercially focused marketing organisation that it is today.



Anan Fakhreddin,

Director Gulf Region, Diamond Trading Company ( DTC)

Topic: "DTC insight in to diamond jewellery retailing in the Gulf- A call for action"



Anan Fakhreddin is the Diamond Promotion Service (DPS) Director in Gulf for The Diamond Trading Company, the diamond marketing arm of De Beers Group of companies. He is responsible for the formulation of marketing strategies for the Diamond Promotion Service across the Gulf.

Subsequently, Fakhreddin is responsible for ensuring that DTC’s formulated campaigns are disseminated and followed accordingly by all executive marketing agencies, trade and retail partners. To ensure incremental sales, he ensures requisite support is provided to various partners, whether that is through marketing materials or training programmes.

Fakhreddin originally joined the Diamond Trading Company in January 2000 as a Diamond Promotion Service Manager. Prior to that, he spent 10 years at American Express and was the Regional Manager for Saudi Arabia.



Donna M. Baker

President, Gemological Institute of America, Inc (“GIA”)

Topic: "Diamond Industry – Latest updates"

"Dubai has a long and proud tradition of gold trading, and with so much growth in consumer demand for gold, diamond and gemstone jewelry occurring in the region—from India to Turkey—it is only natural that Dubai, through the astute policies of its government and trade organizations, and its emphasis on transparency and dedication to all International standards, would expand on that tradition to become a world leading trading center. Indeed with its fast-growing business and tourism, Dubai has also become one of the world’s leading retail centers for jewelry.

The GIA will be opening a school in Dubai’s new Almas Tower in the new future. This campus will become the GIA’s first in the region and provide what GIA does first andhands-on-training. Further, the GIA pledges to be a strong partner to Dubai’s jewelry industry supporting it with state of the art research and GIA grading reports for diamonds, color gems and pearls. ."-
- Donna M. Baker


Donna M. Baker, president of the Gemological Institute of America, Inc. (“GIA”), is only the fifth person to lead the Institute in its 75-year history. She was appointed to the position in November, 2006.

Mrs. Baker began her career at GIA in 2001. She served as vice president, general counsel, and was responsible for the direct oversight of the Institute’s legal affairs and various other departments, including Human Resources, Operations, Real Estate Planning and Development, Information Technology, Community Development and the Museum and Librry.

Mrs. Baker has an impressive combination of work experience, education, a background of dedicated service, and a proven track record of exemplary leadership that will serve GIA and its constituents well as the Institute evolves in the coming years. She envisions a future in which GIA continues its strong commitment to the public and is excited about the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead, including GIA’s global expansion in the areas of research and education.

An MBA and law school graduate of UCLA, Mrs. Baker was named to the University’s Law Review from 1986-1988, and was Chief Comment Editor from 1987-1988. She is a member of the American Corporate Counsel Association, the American Bar Association, the California State Bar Association, San Diego Bar Association and the North San Diego County Bar Association.



Gaetano Cavalieri

President, The World Jewellery Confederation ( CIBJO)

Topic: "The immediate and future challenges of the global jewellery industry"

The president of CIBJO, The world Jewellery Confederation with its headquarters in Paris, Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri has been involved with the organization for more than 13 years, representing Italy. His contribution in the recent past in re energizing CIBJO to become a truly dynamic body that represents the voice of national jewellery association is highly recognized. A graduate in economics he specialized in marketing, research. He currently serves as Vice president for Promo Argenti and Vice president for Business council of Italy. He is a consultant with Italian Ministry of Industry and Commerce and represents European Economic Commission in areas of harmonization of standards and value added tax ( VAT) on gold.



Joseph Menzie

Chief Executive Officer- International Color stone Association (ICA)

Topic: "Gemstones – Building Customer Confidence; Social Responsibility"

Sanjay Kothari

Chairman, Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council, India

Topic: “The Global Gem & Jewellery Industry, Vision 2015- Transforming for Growth”

Sanjay Kothari was elected as Chairman of The Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council of India in the year 2000. His current tenure is till 2008, the longest period served by any Chairman ever of the Council.

During his tenure as Chairman, the industry has witnessed a remarkable growth that has built up the image of the Indian gem and jewellery industry internationally. He has also led various industry delegations to countries in Latin America and the Middle East.

A visionary in his own right, Kothari’s dedication and commitment has seen him spearhead his own diamond business through his company Kunal. He is also one of the Directors of Diatrends, a successful venture in manufacturing of fine jewellery. With the help of modern machinery and in house designers, today his company is able to manufacture fine quality jewellery, which has found ready acceptance in major markets.

He is also a member of the Gem & Jewellery National Relief Fund and Jagat Maitrai Trust, both charity organisations contributing towards social welfare.