The International Diamond Manufacturers Association (IDMA) will kick off its 40^th Congress with a "Conversations with Industry Leaders" happening on the afternoon of March 28 at the D-Mall, adjacent to the Maccabi Building of the Israel Diamond Exchange complex.

The panel discussion sessions will run from 13:00 to 17:00 hours on March 28. They will include conversations about the State of the Diamond Market; a review of the US diamond and diamond jewelry retail markets; a discussion about the correlation between the diamond and lab-grown diamond markets; and a session on industry finance and diamond technology.

The "Conversations with Industry Leaders" will be open to all Congress delegates, Israel Diamond Week participants, and the Israel Diamond Exchange badge holders. However, space is limited, and priority will be given to delegates and those who registered for the IDMA Congress in advance. 

"More than ever, our industry faces challenges on multiple fronts. It seems there is never a dull moment in the rough diamond market. AI-driven diamond manufacturing and grading automation is developing fast, if not leaping forward. Also, the relationship - or the lack thereof - between the diamond and LGD markets continues to occupy us," IDMA President Ronnie Vanderlinden noted. 

Nissim Zuaretz, President of the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA), concurred. "Last but not least, we always come back to discussions about consumer confidence and the marketing of diamond and diamond jewelry to the end-consumer. I am sure we will have an inspiring afternoon," he added. Zuaretz emphasized that the conversations would be carefully moderated. "We want to ensure that each session allows ample time for questions and answers!"

IDMA's 40^th Congress is sponsored and co-organized by the Israel Diamond Manufacturers Association (IsDMA) and the Israel Diamond Institute (IDI).