Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group announces the 3rd 'City of Gold' Conference 2005

The foremost jewellery-specific initiative of its kind in the world, it has the support of the UAE government under the patronage of H.H. Sheikh Ahmed bin Saeed Al Maktoum, President of the Department of Civil Aviation and Chairman of Emirates Group, and HE Sheikha Lubna Al Qasimi, UAE Minister of Economy and Planning. The Conference organised in association with the Dubai Metals & Commodities Centre (DMCC), will be held at the Emirates Towers Hotel, Dubai on the 21st and 22nd of this month.

More than 300 delegates from around the world are expected to attend the one and half day event. Twenty eminent industry experts from South Africa, United Kingdom, Turkey, India, Italy, Switzerland and other countries are taking part.

Speakers will include Philip Olden, Managing Director Marketing & Jewellery, World Gold Council (WGC); Jean Daniel Pasche, President, Swiss Watch Federation; Dr. Gaetano Cavalieri, President CIBJO; Paul Walker, Chief Executive Officer, Gold Field Mineral Services Ltd.; Stewart Murray, Chief Executive Officer, London Bullion Market Association and Rian Raghavjee, AngloGoldAshanti. They will address various issues and challenges facing the jewellery industry.

The overriding objective of the 3rd Dubai 'City Of Gold' conference is to start building a strategic marketing and communication programme to be adapted for all types of jewellery throughout the world. Topics covered will be: (A) integrated global jewellery marketing, with emphasis on targeting the young and modern consumer; (B) identifying opportunities to market jewellery to tourists, thereby establishing it as a key component of tourism; and (C) the issue of branded versus unbranded products and the success of branding in this sector.

Tawhid Abdullah, Chairman of DGJG, said: 'A focused and coordinated effort towards integrated marketing of 'Jewellery' as a single category - be it diamond, pearl or any other precious metal - especially targeting youth and modern consumers, is critical to the future success of our trade. This is the key driver behind the theme for this year's conference -marketing.'

Mr. Andre Bisang, Conference Organising Committee Chairman for the Dubai Gold and Jewellery Group, commented: 'Jewellery, precious metals and stones have played an important role in the commercial success of Dubai. With jewellery sales in excess of USD 1 billion per annum, the Gold Souk is without doubt a priority destination for a large number of visitors to this city. Jewellery and Tourism are indeed complementary sectors and both work together to achieve mutual growth and prosperity.

'With the various developments and activities taking place in Dubai today, its role in the international market as a hub of the jewellery, gems and precious metals industry is even more vital than before,' he added.

'With the assistance of all participating industry experts, we want to form a committee that will develop a Global Jewellery Marketing Strategy, which uses our collective resources to create a campaign and a positioning that builds a relevant as well as an appealing image to younger audiences and modern consumers.

Increasingly, this category's purchasing power is under pressure from other modern lifestyle products and influences, and we must proactively address this or be at the risk of being shut out. It may even be necessary to create a body to bring this vision into reality and make sure the future of our industry is well guarded,' added Mr. Abdullah.

This year, the 3rd Dubai City of Gold Conference will be attended by the South African Jewellery Trade Mission consisting of 15 leading players. Invited by DGJG, the South African mission, with over 400 outlets, is the biggest seller of jewellery in the Middle East.

This is a follow up to the Discovering Dubai Workshop (DDW) which was held in Johannesburg last month. The conference will create an opportunity for the Mission to meet top representatives of major Dubai companies.

Colin Griffith, DMCC's Executive Director for the Gold and Precious Metals Sector, said: 'The conference is an important event in the development of Dubai into a hub for the regional and global gold sector. We have spent significant resources in creating the infrastructure; most recently we announced the launch of the Dubai Gold and Commodities Exchange. We are pleased to now showcase our efforts to an international audience, both in the trade and retail sectors. We look forward to a stimulating dialogue on the latest trends, and on the issues affecting the industry at large.'

For registration to the 3rd 'City of Gold' Conference 2005, e-mail your name, designation and contact details to conference@dubaicityofgold.ae.