The 19th Congress of the International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) will take place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Bangkok from 12th to 15th October 2019, enabling industry experts to share their latest knowledge and insights with members of the trade and industry professionals.
The biennial ICA Congresses are organized in member countries across the world. Thailand will be the first country to host the event for the third time, as it earlier hosted the event in 1987, then in 2005 and now in 2019.
"As Bangkok is the world's largest colored stone trading and processing hub, we have an immense opportunity to create great awareness about colored stones to a global audience," said Prida Tiasuwan, Chairman, ICA Congress 2019.
"This Congress will have the largest representation of female speakers and will also have the first ever representation of artisanal miners on an international platform," he said.
Topics at the ICE Congress will range from rubies, gemstones, mining, technology, the young generation, designs, market trends, social responsibility, media, retailing, and more.
The ICA Steering Committee has created exciting events during the Congress, such as the tennis and golf tournament, a dinner cruise, and the Gala Ruby Night.
A non-profit organization, ICA is the only worldwide body specifically created to benefit the global colored gemstone industry.
ICA was founded in 1984 and now comprises over 700 gem industry leaders from mine to market, including miners, gem cutters, suppliers, retailers, trade associations, gemological laboratories, academia, museums, and so on, from 47 countries, who are devoted to advancing and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of colored gemstones.
ICA's global network works to develop a common language for promotion and consistent business standards necessary to improve international communications and trade of colored gemstones.
Over the years, ICA has provided direct access to the source for colored gemstones and related information. There is no other international organization with the same collective access to, and knowledge about, all levels of the colored gemstone industry.