Antwerp: Less than a week after the successful conclusion of the eighth edition of BrilliAnt – the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair, the Organizing Committee announced the dates for the next edition: January 28-30, 2018.
“Both visitors and exhibitors need to be able to plan ahead,” said Committee member Mr. Michel Nasielski. “Buyers’ groups and industry organisations that coordinate overseas buying trips for retail jewellers are currently setting their agendas. They would serve their members well by including BrilliAnt – the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair into their itineraries!”
BrilliAnt’s eighth edition was the first to host international exhibitors. Six Indian diamond and jewellery firms exhibited and, across the board, expressed satisfaction with their exposure and an interest to return in 2018, asking for larger booth space. Other foreign companies also were positive. Elizabeth Metalinou of River Mounts Jewellery of Birmingham, UK, said in an email that she was pleased with the outcome and that the firm would like to exhibit again in 2018.
First time exhibitors from the Antwerp diamond business community also were positive. “For us, BrilliAnt was a wonderful opportunity to meet new people from all over Europe and the Middle East in our own trading halls. The fair is well organized and the customers seemed happy to have a chance to explore all the different possibilities Antwerp diamond companies have to offer. A positive way to start the year,” said Joy Lerner of Lerner Diamonds, a first-time exhibitor.
BrilliAnt – the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair is supported by numerous sponsors. GemTrade’s Managing Director Boaz Lev said he was happy about the ‘expat’ exhibitors in this year’s edition and is looking forward to provide both exhibitors, retailers and visitors with its full palette of services also next year. “GemTrade provides a bespoken facility for overseas industry traders and together with the wide array of services within the Malca-Amit group, creating real added value throughout the pipeline. Exhibitors using our services can participate with absolute peace of mind, especially when their sales are shipped to buyers via our door to door Malca-Amit Express service, with overnight delivery vas.ued up to $50,000. We are proud sponsors of the fair and therefore are glad to offer future visitors our services at special rates.”
During the three days of the fair, a series of well-attended seminar programmes was held. Among them was a presentation by Jean Marc Lieberherr, CEO of the Diamond Producers Association (DPA), who provided his audience with a detailed update of the DPA’s “Real is Rare” diamond consumer campaign.
In closing, the organisers of BrilliAnt – the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair – the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, the Diamond Club of Antwerp and the Antwerp Diamond Kring – emphasised that there is only one annual edition of the fair. “The unique character of the fair, its exclusive location in the heart of the Antwerp Diamond Quarter, and its unmatched services and security measures cannot not be emulated anywhere else, or by anyone else, for that matter” said Ya’akov Almor, the fair’s long-time communications director. “BrilliAnt is traditionally held during the last week of January, and is a fixed landmark on the international trade fair calendar.”
BrilliAnt – the Antwerp Diamond Trade Fair is a joint initiative of the Antwerp Diamond Bourse, the Diamond Club of Antwerp and the Antwerp Diamond Kring, and is powered by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC).
