Steve Forbes Named Keynote of GIA Symposium 2011

Business, media icon to address global gemology gathering May 29

CARLSBAD, Calif. – Feb. 24, 2011 – GIA (Gemological Institute of America) announced today that Steve Forbes, chairman of Forbes Media and editor-in-chief of Forbes magazine, will deliver the keynote address for Symposium 2011: Advancing the Science and Business of Gems. Registration is open for the conference, which will be held at the Institute’s world headquarters in Carlsbad, May 29-30.

GIA Symposium 2011 is an international conference of gem industry business leaders and research scientists who convene to share findings and insights that impact the global gem and jewelry industry.  Featuring a slate of notable experts representing a wide range of disciplines, Symposium business and research tracks will cover topics on consumer behavior, luxury marketing, design trends, social media, new gem localities, advances in gemstone treatments and technology, as well as the social, political, and ethical issues surrounding the production and distribution of gems and jewelry.

“We are extremely pleased to have Mr. Forbes serve as our keynote speaker,” said Kathryn Kimmel, GIA vice president and chief marketing officer, who is co-chair of Symposium. “He is a significant touch point in the global business landscape, which ideally positions him to address some of the most important business issues facing our industry today.

“Attendees will be challenged to think strategically and expand both the scope and geography of their business, which is necessary in today’s economic environment,” Kimmel added. “Forbes’ commitment to leadership and success, along with his global economic insight, are sure to leave a lasting impression.”

Forbes has launched a variety of new publications and businesses. They include: ForbesLife, the dedicated luxury lifestyle and culture magazine; ForbesWoman, providing Forbes’ community of executive women with luxury lifestyle content; Forbes Asia; and Forbes licensee editions published in China, Croatia, India, Indonesia, Israel, Korea, Latvia, Poland, Romania, Russia and Turkey. The company also publishes a number of investment newsletters. Another division of the company is Forbes Investors Advisory Institute. Forbes.com attracts 18 million unique visitors a month and has become the leading destination site for senior business decision-makers and investors.

A widely respected economic prognosticator, Forbes is the only writer to have won the highly prestigious Crystal Owl Award for accurate economic forecasting four times. In addition, he has authored multiple books on leadership, economics and capitalism.

Forbes campaigned for the American presidency in 1996 and 2000. President Ronald Reagan named him chairman of the bi-partisan Board for International Broadcasting, where Forbes served in this role from 1985 until 1993.

GIA Symposium 2011 will commemorate the 80th anniversary of GIA. The event celebrates the Institute’s commitment to serve the public and trade through research, education, gemological laboratory services and instrument development. To receive the early registration discount at $295, individuals must register by Feb. 28.

For more information on Symposium and additional speakers visit the website or e-mail symposium2011@gia.edu.