22 August 2007

ICA to Establish Headquarters in World Jewelry Center

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) has signed a Letter of Intent to purchase space in the World Jewelry Center, where it plans to establish the organization's new global headquarters.

ICA Executive Director Barbara Lipatapanlop said the search for a location has been thorough. "We at ICA have been considering for some time a place for a permanent home for our head office. This is not an easy task, as our members are located in 46 countries around the world, so it is important for us to keep an international perspective in everything we do."

"It was obvious early on that the World Jewelry Center would meet our needs, as we saw firms from all over the world signing on with the project, including some of our members who will have office and retail space at WJC," she added.

Lipatapanlop said the ICA will gain a number of benefits from being part of the World Jewelry Center and its Las Vegas location. "For our members not located at the WJC, we believe they will welcome the opportunity to visit us there. Over the past few months we have learned of the advantages of being located in Las Vegas, and we can envision what the WJC will mean to the industry once it up and running.

"I personally love the trade shows where you walk around bumping into people you know at every turn. I am excited at the prospect of seeing this happen on a daily basis at WJC."

World Jewelry Center Managing Director Bill Boyajian said, "The ICA's global diversity and perspective make it a perfect fit for the World Jewelry Center, and we are especially pleased to welcome this great organization to our fast-growing family of companies. With the American Gem Society and Gemological Institute of America already on board, the addition of the ICA is another strong indicator of the widespread support for the vision of the World Jewelry Center."

Lipatapanlop added, "Networking is such an important part of our industry, and I feel that being located in the WJC will provide more opportunities for meeting people, and that can only be beneficial towards future collaborations. And of course, having Bill Boyajian heading up this new venture gives us the utmost confidence in its success."

The nonprofit ICA is the only worldwide body created specifically to benefit the global colored gemstone industry. ICA was founded in 1984, and it now has over 500 gemstone dealers, cutters, and miners worldwide who are devoted to advancing and promoting the knowledge and appreciation of colored gemstones.

"Over the years ICA has provided direct access to the source for colored gemstones and related information. There is no other national or international organization with the same collective access to, and knowledge about, all levels of the colored gemstone industry," said Lipatapanlop.