GIA Symposium 2011 to address sustainability and jewellery crime

Two leading professionals, Dr. Brian Nattrass, founder and managing partner of Sustainability Partners and Patrick Peys, a detective with the Belgian Federal Police Service and leading detective of the Diamond Squad will also be presenting at the GIA (Gemological Institute of America) Symposium 2011 business track agenda, slated between May 29-30, 2011. The Symposium is being held at the GIA headquarters in Carlsbad.

Dr. Brian Nattrass’ firm Sustainability Partners is one of the world’s leading consultancies on sustainable enterprise. “Brian’s expertise will be a powerful component of our Symposium, due to the ever-growing importance of corporate and social responsibility in today’s business landscape,” said Bev Hori, GIA vice president of Education and chief learning officer. Dr. Brian Nattrass will present “Playing a Bigger Game: Better Business for a Better World’, touching upon practical issues affecting the jewelry industry today, like - mining conditions where gemstones are sourced; recycled materials in jewelry; determining if a company is socially responsible, in effect helping attendees shift their thinking to a triple bottom line or 3Ps: people, planet and profit. Nattrass is a consultant for strategy and implementation of sustainable business practices to leading global brands including Nike, Starbucks, Target, Nordstrom, VF Corp, The North Face, REI, Hyatt Hotels and Resorts, and also with his wife, served as senior advisor on sustainability strategy and implementation to the U.S. Army.

The Symposium will also celebrate the 80th anniversary of GIA.