Unified jewellery marketing the key to increasing global demand for jewellery

'The global gems and jewellery industry has grown at a Compound Annual Growth Rate of 5.2% since the year 2000, this is expected to see a slight slowdown in the coming years. A unified jewellery marketing effort by the industry can help to overcome this. All industry segments like gold, diamond, pearls and gemstones need to work in synergy to promote jewellery as a 'single category' instead of distinct metals and stones,' said Tawhid Abdullah.

'At the 5th Dubai City of Gold Conference next month, an eminent group of panelists will debate ways to mobilize industry resources for an integrated marketing effort.'

Joining the panel session on 'Unified Jewellery Marketing' on April 22 at the Park Hyatt, Dubai, will be Sanjay Kothari, Chairman - Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council (GJEPC) - India; David Lamb, Worldwide Marketing Director, Diamond Trading Company; Philip Olden, Managing Director-Marketing & Jewellery, World Gold Council; Kenneth Gassman, Founder & President of Jewellery Industry Research Institute; Anan Fakhreddin, Director, Gulf Region - Diamond Trading Company (DTC) and Gaetano Cavalieri, President - The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO). The panel discussion will be chaired by Tawhid Abdullah.

Colin A Griffith, Executive Director, Gold - DMCC said: 'Integrated marketing strategies for all sectors of the jewellery industry is fast becoming a global reality, and this is the appropriate time for Dubai to explore joint promotion schemes and co-branding strategies across the entire value chain of the industry. DMCC is closely involved with all stakeholders of the precious commodities sector in Dubai, and we look forward to getting an international perspective on this subject during the forthcoming 5th Dubai City of Gold Conference.'
Delegates for the two day Dubai City of Gold Conference from April 22-23 at the Park Hyatt will get to hear from over 20 speakers drawn from various sectors of the industry including David Lamb, Worldwide Marketing Director, Diamond Trading Company; Nicholas Paspaley, Executive Chairman, Paspaley Pearls Pty Ltd; Ernest Blom, President - World Federation of Diamond Bourses; Donna M. Baker, President of Gemological Institute of America; Peter Meeus, Executive Director Diamonds & Colored Stones - Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC); Government of Dubai; Gaetano Cavalieri, President - The World Jewellery Confederation (CIBJO) and Joseph Menzie, CEO - International Color Stone Association.

The 5th Dubai City of Gold Conference is in association with Dubai Multi Commodities Centre and Standard Bank as presenting sponsors.

Alison Burns, Regional Head of Precious Metals, Standard Bank Plc, Dubai, said: '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.'

Transguard and Dubai Customs are key sponsors of the event with the World Gold Council, Diamond Trading Company, HSBC and National Bank of Dubai as support sponsors.