15 March 2010
Rio Tinto announces an innovative business development symposium for the US diamond jewelry market
Rio Tinto, one of the world's leading diamond companies, today announced its inaugural jewelry business development symposium and design showcase, to be held in Chicago, Illinois on July 16-18, 2010.
The symposium and design showcase will bring together many of Rio Tinto's Select Diamantaires, leading North American jewelry retailers and key jewelry buying groups. The symposium is focussed on building better relationships throughout the diamond distribution channel and providing a collaborative forum for understanding key issues facing today's diamond jewelry businesses.
Commenting on Rio Tinto's commitment to the symposium Jean-Marc Lieberherr, General Manager of diamonds sales and marketing said,
"we are seeing both cyclical and structural changes in the US , the world's largest retail diamond jewelry market and this will be an important forum to put these changes in context for our customers and our customers' customers".
The symposium will also provide the opportunity for Rio Tinto's Select Diamantaires to showcase their latest designs to top US retailers and obtain important retail market feedback. Rebecca Foerster, Manager of Rio Tinto's US representative office for diamonds sales and marketing, commented,
" We look forward to hosting this event with the help of Rick Bannerot and R&B Partners and providing the opportunity to foster best businesses practices and the development of new business relationships."