Breaking News: Ethical Producer/Manufacturer Meeting Scheduled At AGTA Show, Tucson

The Meeting Will Be On Friday, February 5, 2010, from 2-4pm

Back on November 9th, Bill Gallagher of Lori Bonn contacted me on Linked In, suggesting that it was time for a new meeting of the Madison Dialogues.

I responded, suggesting that, “I think that one thing that would be really helpful and low hanging fruit would be to rent a room in Tucson and invite any supplier and manufacturer who is working with traceable ethical products to come. Then, simply, everyone introduces themselves and says what they have to offer. This could be done at minimal expense and it would be very, very useful to all of us…”

Bill responded enthusiastically: “Great idea! Let’s talk more about this. You could start to arrange it and we will support and partner with you. Colored stones are our biggest gap now.”

Over the last few months, he has worked with AGTA and others to schedule sessions on Eco, Ethical and Fair Trade Gems. Bill’s announcements on the Madison Dialogue list serve have drawn widespread support from the colored gemstone sector and others.

I always felt that simply getting people together in one room would be very, very helpful. There are many suppliers who are working ethically but do not know manufacturers, and vice’ versa.

Congratulations to Bill and the AGTA for launching this important new initiative.

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