Botswana President to Be JCK Keynote Speaker

Las Vegas—JCK Las Vegas just announced the opening keynote speaker for the 2019 edition of the jewelry trade show.

The president of Botswana, Mokgweetsi Masisi, will take the stage May 31 to talk about the way in which diamonds bring people from different parts of the world—specifically, Botswana and the United States—together.

De Beers Group, which mines diamonds in Botswana through Debswana, its 50/50 joint venture with the government there, is sponsoring Masisi’s talk.

Senior Vice President of Reed Exhibitions and Reed Jewelry Group Yancy Weinrich said in a press release: “We are extremely honored to partner with De Beers Group to host His Excellency, the president of the Republic of Botswana, for this meaningful conversation at the opening of JCK Las Vegas.

“As JCK is bringing the entire industry together under one roof, we are honored to help connect jewelers with a prominent and influential leader behind the supply system for our precious materials. The inspirational impact of the good the diamond industry does in Botswana is proof of the power of our industry to create a meaningful impact on the world.”

Botswana is one of the world’s leading diamond producers, by both volume and value, and Debswana is the largest private sector employer in the country, with more than 4,000 employees and 5,000 contractors.

“Having pioneered diamond mining operations in Botswana in partnership with government since the late 1960s, we have seen firsthand the incredibly powerful influence that diamonds have had on this thriving democracy,” De Beers Group CEO Bruce Cleaver said. “The true story of human advancement in Botswana is uplifting and in large part thanks to the remarkable gift of nature—the diamond."

Masisi’s keynote speech is scheduled for Friday, May 31 at 7:30 a.m. in the Palazzo Ballroom on level 5 of the Venetian. De Beers Group is hosting a concurrent breakfast.

The JCK Las Vegas jewelry trade show opens that same day at 9:30 a.m.

To attend the opening keynote speech and breakfast, RSVP at DeBeersEvents.com and log in with: Username: debeerspublic, and Password: publicEvents!2019.

A JCK, Luxury or JIS Exchange show badge will be required for entry.