PROGRAM 14 & 15 SEPTEMBER

"Building bridges from market to mine requires a deeper understanding of the consumer."

September 14TH

09:00 – 09:30 WELCOME AND COFFEE

09:30 – 10:00 OPENING ADDRESS BY THE PRESIDENT OF BOTSWANA

10:00 – 11:00 A CONVERSATION WITH BRUCE CLEAVER AND LEFOKO MOAGI

11:00 – 11:15 SPEECH OF THE PRIME MINISTER OF BELGIUM

11:15 – 11:30 DAVID KELLIE – NDC “MEET THE CONSUMER”

11:30 – 12:30 PANEL 1: BUILDING SUSTAINABLE DIAMOND ECONOMIES

12:30 – 13:30 LUNCH

13:30 – 15:00 PANEL 2: TRUST IN THE AGE OF THE CONSUMER

15:00 – 15:30 BREAK

15:30 – 17:00 PANEL 3: BUILDING BRIDGES

17:00 – 17:30 CLOSING

17:30 – 19:00 COCKTAILS

19:00 END

PANEL 1: SUSTAINABLE DIAMOND ECONOMIES

In this topic we discuss the future of the value chain. It’s clear that the current situation, trends like beneficiation and the innovation of automated cutting & polishing will drastically reform the industry. But also governments and the consumer demand more insight and knowledge on where diamonds come from. Will this disruption in the retail market have a large impact on our diamond economies and how can we protect ourselves against further disruption?

LED BY EDAHN GOLAN

LED BY IRIS VAN DER VEKEN

PANEL 2: TRUST IN THE AGE OF THE CONSUMER

The consumer will increasingly drive the market. More than ever, conscious consumers are vocal and demand more insight and storytelling on their products. Consumers shopping for jewelry and watches are increasingly favoring brands that act responsibly, value diversity, and have a compelling brand presence both online and offline. In the meantime, many evolutions start to take place in the industry, from blockchain to NFT’s. How will sustainability evolve for our industry? Are we on track? What kind of leadership will it take to drive consumer confidence forward?

PANEL 3: BUILDING BRIDGES

If we want the natural diamond sector to survive in the long run , we will need to build bridges in the industry. We have one common issue: how do we keep natural diamonds interesting for the consumer and create a more positive image surrounding our industry? But most of all, how do we apply new business models to make the industry more interesting.

CONCLUSION BY DAVID KELLIE

September 15TH

Business,And,Entrepreneurship,Symposium.,Speaker,Giving,A,Talk,At,Business

On the 15th of September, we will give the floor away to our young and innovative entrepreneurs. Everybody gets a chance to submit a project until the 5th of of September (checkout the procedure on our homepage). The selected projects will get the change to present their project before a professional jury of experts who will give expert feedback and chose a winner.

9:00 – 9:30 WELCOME & COFFEE

9:30 – 10:00 OFFICIAL OPENING DAY TWO WITH GOVERNOR CATHY BERX

10:00 – 10:45 PITCH 1

10:45 – 11:15 BREAK

11:15 – 12:00 PITCH 2

12:00 – 12:45 PITCH 3

12:45 – 13:15 PRESENTATION EDAHN GOLAN “DIAMONDS IN THE AGE OF THE CONSUMER

13:15 – 13:30 ANNOUNCEMENT WINNER

13:30 – 14:30 NETWORK LUNCH