GIA veteran Nirupa Bhatt returns to JNA Awards judging panel
HONG KONG, May 14, 2014 – JNA (Jewellery News Asia), organiser of the prestigious JNA Awards, is pleased to announce that Nirupa Bhatt, Managing Director of the Gemological Institute of America (GIA) in India and the Middle East, will return as a member of the independent judging panel for the second straight year.
She will be joining James Courage, CEO of Platinum Guild International; Albert Cheng, Managing Director of the World Gold Council, Far East; and Lin Qiang, President and Managing Director of the Shanghai Diamond Exchange (SDE), in the highly-esteemed panel of judges for one of the industry’s most prestigious accolades.
Now on its third year, the JNA Awards pays tribute and recognises companies and individuals that have demonstrated excellence, strong corporate and social responsibility, and set high standards in the jewellery and gemstone trade, with a focus in Asia. Nominees are selected through an independent, transparent and rigorous process. The judging panel consist of a select group of distinguished individuals who are widely recognised for their expertise and insights into specific industry segments.
“We are delighted to once again welcome Ms. Nirupa Bhatt as a member of the JNA Awards judging panel. Her deep commitment to continuously raise the bar in the jewellery industry, together with her knowledge and experience, will once again prove to be an invaluable part of the judging process,” said Letitia Chow, Founder of JNA and Director of Business Development – Jewellery Group at UBM Asia.
Bhatt commented, “Asia is a significant region for the gem and jewellery industry as a consumer market, a manufacturing centre and a design centre. The JNA Awards promotes further growth and excellence by providing opportunities for industry members and also recognising their achievements. It is a pleasure and honour to be a judge for this prestigious international event for the second consecutive year.”
Bhatt has received several global honours for her contributions to the gemstone and jewellery industry. Her role with GIA has taken her to over 60 locations across India, Turkey and the Middle East. She is also a member of the Board of Directors of the All India Gem and Jewellery Trade Federation, and Gem and Jewellery Skill Council of India, as well as an invitee to the marketing committee of the Gem & Jewellery Export Promotion Council.
The JNA Awards 2014 will culminate with a ceremony and gala dinner on Tuesday, September 16, at the InterContinental Hong Kong, during the September Hong Kong Jewellery & Gem Fair. The Awards has Rio Tinto Diamonds and Chow Tai Fook as Headline Partners, with Diarough Group, Gübelin Group, Israel Diamond Institute, KARP Group, Paspaley Pearling Company and SDE as Honoured Partners.
To know more about the JNA Awards, please visit www.jnaawards.com.
For more information, contact:
JNA Awards Marketing
UBM Asia (Hong Kong)
+852-2516-1630
[email protected]
