The second edition of The World’s Premier Diamond Event, CARAT+, will open at the Antwerp Expo Belgium on May 6, introducing new show features and welcoming leading industry professionals from across the globe.
Launched for the first time in 2017, CARAT+ won the praise of exhibitors and visitors alike with its glamorous trade show floor and 130 leading exhibitors from 13 countries. The debut even attracted 3,000 visitors from 33 global markets, highlighting its unique industry concept and appeal among diamond specialists.
Its location in Antwerp, the world’s capital of diamonds, makes CARAT+ a must-attend show for diamond wholesalers, jewellery manufacturers, brand representatives, fine jewellery designers, buyers and retailers looking for a mix of loose diamonds and finished jewellery.
New for 2018 is a curated Coloured Gemstones Sector, spearheaded by renowned German gemstone supplier, Paul Wild, and a dedicated China ‘Guest Land’, bringing leading Chinese manufacturers and professionals from the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE) to the heart of Europe. This will culminate in a CARAT+ China Night evening event on 8 May at Antwerp’s iconic Havenhuis, famously designed by British-Iraqi architect Zaha Hadid.
The popular CARAT+ Night evening event, which attracted more than 1,800 industry professionals, exhibitors and visitors in 2017, will also return in May. The debut networking party was opened by Bond girl, model and actress, Caterina Murino, who epitomised the glamour of the event. The CARAT+ team is excited to announce who will open this year’s CARAT+ Night in due course.
Event founder and director, Filip Van Laere, says: "The diamond business has been through a lot of challenges and changes over the past 15 years, and it is my belief that the sector needs an innovative, exciting and attractive focal point to express itself with confidence and pride. After all, diamonds are still the most glamorous luxury item in the world.
"The next edition of CARAT+ will fill this niche and present a fantastic opportunity to buy, network and engage with the global diamond industry. Conveniently timed between Baselworld and JCK Las Vegas, CARAT+ is a not-to-be-missed event at the heart of Europe’s most prominent diamond centre: Antwerp."
Moving forward, CARAT+ has ambitions to become the reference in diamonds; offering an annual meeting place for buying, networking and debating the future of the diamond industry. Partners and sponsors joining CARAT+ in 2018 include; Brussels Airline; security expert Brink’s; insurance broker Driesassur; ABN Amro bank; industry specialist Rapaport; and motor company, Porsche.
CARAT+ takes place on 6, 7 & 8 May 2018 at Antwerp Expo in Antwerp, Belgium. For more information please visit caratplusantwerp.com. To secure your entrance pass to the event, please email info@caratplussantwerp.com.