[jshepherd]

This should be big! For those of you who have ever thought of taking a trip to Dubai this would be the time!

Dear Mr. Shepherd:

The Dubai Pearl Exchange, an initiative of the Dubai Multi Commodities Centre (DMCC) is launching the Dubai Pearl Festival (DPF) to be held in the first quarter of 2009. The Festival includes a number of complementary events led by the inaugural World Pearl Forum and to include Pearl auctions, Pearl heritage photographic exhibition and Pearl related training programmes.

We are writing to you in connection with the World Pearl Forum (WPF) being held on the 17th and 18th of February at the Atlantis Hotel, Palm Jumeirah, Dubai, UAE. The WPF seeks to bring together pearl industry representatives from across the globe in a forum to discuss latest initiatives and developments. In this context we are pleased to attach herewith an official invitation requesting you to be one of our eminent speakers.

As the event organizers, we would appreciate a positive response at your earliest convenience.

[john675]

It sounds like an exciting opportunity - do you think that you will go and speak?

[Heidi]

This sounds like a great opportunity!

Will there be podcasts for those of us busy spending our money on pearls instead of plane tickets?

[jshepherd]

I've indicated that I'm interested in speaking at the conference. But I am going to wait to hear the particulars before fully committing. It sounds like a great conference and this is the inaugural forum, so I would be interested in attending regardless.

They are requesting I present on Pearl Jewellery Online Sales and Opportunities in the New Economy.

[pearlescence]

That would be me in the audience

[Caitlin]

Another great idea/opportunity! Get in on the ground floor. Bring us info about the scene. Can you go to the bank in Dubai that has the ton of Gulf pearls stored in the vault?

Can you go to Bahrain and check out Mattar jewelers and other places that sell pearls?

Maybe you can meet Tom Stern and see some of his pearls. That is where his market is!

[GemGeek]

Of course, you'll be bringing your public relations representative -- Blaire!

[Valeria101]

Any chance Pearl-Guide may get its own poster ?

It wouldn't be the first time a gem & jewelry-related forum gets advertised at an industry meeting, although this pearl forum might be different and not appropriate, something I couldn't tell from where I'm standing.

[barbie biggs]

Great thought Anna:
And in the background of the poster could be the mascot: Octavia!
Of course her mom would have to be there to take care of her.
barbie

[jshepherd]

I can pretty much guarantee P-G will come up in discussion. Not sure about a poster though

[mikehrz]

Obviously, you should spend some time looking for perfect natural red pearlz.

apologies to our newcomers, a little P-G inside joke

[jshepherd]

Originally Posted by mikehrz

Obviously, you should spend some time looking for perfect natural red pearlz.

apologies to our newcomers, a little P-G inside joke

Those pearls can only be found in the radioactive traveling lake of Lop Noor, not in India

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by barbie biggs

Great thought Anna:
And in the background of the poster could be the mascot: Octavia!
Of course her mom would have to be there to take care of her.
barbie

Right on! Blaire and Octavia meet the Dubai Pearl World!

[pattye]

It's true, the next best thing to going oneself is to send Blaire and Octavia! They will get the inside scoop every time, and take fabulous photos also!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time, so little money

[GemGeek]

Originally Posted by pattye

It's true, the next best thing to going oneself is to send Blaire and Octavia! They will get the inside scoop every time, and take fabulous photos also!

Pattye
so many pearls, so little time, so little money

Don't think Octavia has forgot about Tiffany's! One of these days we're going to have the ultimate photo-story.