Sir Richard Branson to Address Antwerp Diamond Conference Gala

The Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) announced Monday that Sir Richard Branson will be the guest of honor at the Antwerp Diamond Conference gala dinner on November 17.

Details about the list of speakers at the annual Antwerp Diamond Conference, to be held November17-18, have yet to be announced. Past speakers have included leaders of the industry, as well as non-industry individuals, such as heads of state, ministers and leading economists.

Titled “Diamonds, a symbol of value,” the conference will be held at the Elisabeth hall on the Koningin Astridplein, adjacent to the diamond district. The traditional gala dinner will take place at the Loghidden City in the Antwerp Harbor.

Sir Branson is a British business magnate, best known for his Virgin brand. Having launched Virgin as a mail order record retailer, Branson created more than 200 branded companies worldwide, employing 50,000 people in more than 30 countries. In the course of his address, he will explain how he manages to turn huge challenges into successful business exploits.

Former guest speakers at the gala dinner include the president of Liberia, Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf, Irish pop star and advocate Sir Bob Geldof, former U.S. President Bill Clinton, former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and South African President Thabo Mbeki.