TruDat

Antwerp has a long tradition of organizing international diamond conferences which lasted up until the early 2000’s. However, the traditional set-up of inviting world-renowned keynote speakers and lavish gala’s – and consequently fairly hefty budgets – no longer matched with financial restrictions caused by disruption and crises such as COVID. The ambition was to create a new concept, unconferencing these typical gatherings in a more inclusive and participatory approach. The two-day program included engaging panel discussions and a pitching contest for young diamond professionals. The first edition, held in Antwerp in 2022, was well-received and attended by key stakeholders in the global diamond industry, as a welcome moment of reflection in turbulent times, leading to a second, equally successful edition, held in Gaborone, Botswana in 2023.