GIA President and CEO to Address 50th Gemstone Gathering

Donna Baker to discuss global industry trends at gemological meeting in Thailand

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Sept. 20, 2011 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) will mark its 50th Gemstone Gathering in Thailand on Sept. 28 with an address by Donna M. Baker, the Institute’s president and chief executive officer (CEO). Baker, who is only the fifth person to lead GIA in its 80-year history, will share her gem and jewelry industry insights as well as her vision for GIA in the 21st century.

“Gemstone Gatherings have been an integral part of our Thailand operations since 2007. Their purpose – to keep students, lab clients, industry professionals and the overall trade informed and up to speed on the trends and developments shaping our industry – is indicative of GIA’s strong commitment to education,” said Kenneth Scarratt, GIA’s managing director of South East Asia and director of the GIA Laboratory in Bangkok. “It is very fitting to have Donna headline our 50th event in this long-running series. We’re certain our attendees will enjoy this exceptional opportunity to learn from her industry expertise.”

The presentation will cover GIA’s global expansion and the new GIA education center in Bangkok. In addition, Baker will speak to the industry’s evolution and the ways in which GIA responds with ongoing advancements in research, education and laboratory services.

Baker began her GIA career 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 library. In November 2006, she was appointed president of the Institute.

GIA Thailand’s Gemstone Gathering is a free event that begins at 6 p.m. on Sept. 28 in the Crowne Room 1-3, 21st floor, at the Crowne Plaza Hotel (formerly known as the Pan Pacific), Lumpini Park, Bangkok.

Due to limited seating, please RSVP by Sept. 27 to the GIA Laboratory Bangkok at 02-632-4090; or call the GIA Thailand Campus at 02-632-4590. For more information, visit www.giathai.net/news.php.