(PRESS RELEASE) VICENZA, ITALY — The inaugural edition of The Vicenza Symposium concludes today, marking the end of a groundbreaking three-day international technical-scientific platform that, from September 2 to 4, turned the Italian city of Vicenza into the global capital of hi-tech innovation for the jewelry and fashion accessory industries.
With over 170 participants from 15 countries — including France, Switzerland, the United States, the United Kingdom, India, Germany, Thailand, Spain, Brazil, Egypt, Hong Kong, Poland, China, and Argentina, alongside Italy — The Vicenza Symposium confirmed its international vocation, gathering more than 80 companies, brands, academic institutions, and research centers—within the stunning setting of the UNESCO World Heritage site, the Palladian Basilica.
“An extraordinary achievement,” said organizers Italian Exhibition Group S.p.A., Progold S.p.A., and Legor Group S.p.A., with the support of IEG’s leading international shows, Vicenzaoro – a 70+ year-old institution and global leader in goldsmithing, jewelry, and watchmaking (opening tomorrow, through September 9, at the Vicenza Expo Center) – and T.Gold, the world’s premier show for goldsmithing machinery and technologies , This consolidates Vicenza’s position as a universally recognized hub for goldsmithing culture and innovation applied to the jewelry and fashion supply chains”.
The core of the Symposium was its scientific program, curated by a prestigious international committee composed of leading figures from academia and industry. A total of 11 experts from 5 countries (Italy, USA, Switzerland, Germany, and Thailand) led the project with rigor, vision, and authority, delivering three days of high-level panels on digital transformation, environmental sustainability, new materials, and production quality. A key message emerged across all sessions: Innovation in the sector is — and will increasingly be — a powerful ally to artisanal talent.
“With the conclusion of the first edition of The Vicenza Symposium, a new era begins for technical scientific dialogue in the world of jewelry and fashion accessories. The presentations touched on crucial topics such as sustainability, artificial intelligence, new manufacturing technologies, and traceability— demonstrating how interconnected and strategic these themes are for the future of our industry. This isn’t just about technical innovation, but a true ‘art of technology’: putting human creativity at the center and using the most advanced tools to elevate talent and tradition. Vicenza has reaffirmed itself as a global reference point, enhancing artisanal heritage with cutting-edge tools and visions. The value generated here forms the foundation for future editions. This is just the beginning of a journey we aim to grow and strengthen in the years ahead” said Damiano Zito (Chairman & CEO, Progold S.p.A.), President of The Vicenza Symposium and of its Scientific Committee.
In addition to President Damiano Zito, the Scientific Committee includes: Massimo Poliero (President and CEO Legor Group); Giorgio Bodei (Industrial Director, Pomellato); Florian Bulling (Head of Physical Metallurgy Department, FEM Institute); Ezio Dadone (Jewellery Industrialization & Manufacturing Senior Director, Bvlgari – LVMH Group); Frédéric Diologent (R&I Materials Director, Richemont); Valerio Doppio (R&D Manager, Progold S.p.A.); Andrea Friso (R&D Manager for Master Alloy, Legor Group); Ulrich Klotz (Professor of Materials Science at the Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, Germania), Joyce Lam (Vice President, Innovation & Product Development – Pandora Innovation Center).
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Eddie Bell, founder of the Santa Fe Symposium (1987–2022, USA), serves as Honorary President. “It was an honor to be part of the first edition of The Vicenza Symposium, held in one of the world’s jewelry capitals” said Bell. “This event represents much more than a conference: it is a statement of intent. Collaboration between professionals and companies — even among competitors — is the key to growing an entire industry. This is exemplified by Massimo Poliero and Damiano Zito, whom I’ve known for thirty years: once business rivals, they are now partners in the promotion of knowledge and technical education. In an era where technology changes rapidly, sharing knowledge is not a threat, but a resource. When the industry collaborates, everyone benefits. And this Symposium is the most concrete proof of that. I hope that more and more professionals, both young and experienced, will choose to contribute their expertise, publish what they know, and leave a technical legacy for future generations — thanks also to The Vicenza Symposium.”
Innovation that shapes the Future
Out of 50 global submissions, 21 original contributions were selected and presented across seven daily thematic sessions, giving voice to those who are shaping the future of jewelry by merging artisanal intuition with scientific knowledge.
Highlights included: Advanced research on precious metal materials, focusing on alternative alloys and improved mechanical properties; Additive manufacturing breakthroughs—especially Laser Powder Bed Fusion (LPBF) and binder jetting—reshaping precious component production; Hybrid solutions (e.g., SLM + CNC) enabling sustainable, customized, and highly precise designs.
On the surface treatment front, experts shared innovations in electropolishing and micro-finishing technologies for complex jewelry, enhancing performance and gold recovery. Research into cyanide-free electroplating marked a crucial step toward safer, more sustainable production—also relevant for the fashion sector.
Sessions on AI and quality control showcased how artificial intelligence can reduce waste and improve communication between brands and suppliers. Other contributions explored metal traceability systems — from DNA tagging to blockchain — ensuring transparency and regulatory compliance across the entire supply chain. A recurring theme was the lack of international standards specific to the jewelry industry.
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Looking ahead, contributors examined smart automation as a way to enhance — not replace — craftsmanship: from digital twins for stone-setting, to generative algorithms for predictive alloy development, to AI-powered production flow management.
The first Best Presentation Award was also presented – a recognition for the talk that received the highest number of votes from the audience. The winner was Baptiste Rouxel (Materials Scientist at Richemont International SA), who, with his paper titled “An 18-Carat Green Gold with Improved Mechanical Properties”, earned the opportunity to participate in the next edition of the event.
Bridging Continents and Generations: Looking Forward
Original content, global dialogue, and a shared vision of a more technological, sustainable, and human centered future—The Vicenza Symposium ends on a high note.
“We experienced something of extraordinary value, shared with speakers, participants, and everyone who contributed to the success of the Symposium,” said Matteo Farsura, Global Exhibition Manager of the Jewellery & Fashion division at Italian Exhibition Group. “It was a full-immersion that sparked new ideas and opened up concrete perspectives for imagining the future of jewelry and fashion accessories— together — with technology playing an increasingly integral role throughout the supply chain. This is a vision fully embraced by IEG, which, through The Vicenza Symposium, renews its commitment to stand alongside the industry by investing in projects that support its growth. The upcoming expansion of the Vicenza Expo Center — starting from September 2026 — will further enhance the synergy between T.GOLD and Vicenzaoro, the leading international trade shows for jewelry manufacturing technologies and fine jewellery. This goes precisely in the direction of strengthening Vicenza’s role as a global platform where business, innovation, and jewelry culture meet”.
The Vicenza Symposium is a laboratory of ideas and dialogue that brought together research, manufacturing, and business—reaffirming Vicenza, which starting tomorrow will host the September edition of the international Vicenzaoro show, as a strategic hub for the high-end gold and jewelry supply chain and for luxury manufacturing technologies.
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Massimo Poliero, President & CEO of Legor Group, stated: “Three years ago, together with Damiano Zito and Marco Carniello of IEG, we began envisioning The Vicenza Symposium with the idea of creating something new and concrete for our industry. We believed in the possibility of launching a technical scientific event here in Vicenza, inspired by the Santa Fe Symposium model, but with a European style and aligned with the current challenges facing our sector. The spirit of collaboration that fueled this journey is the same one that today allows us to share the success of this first edition. It has been a moment of total immersion, exchange, and vision — one that confirmed just how important it is to create opportunities for dialogue and knowledge sharing, also to attract new generations to a sector that still has so much to offer.I want to thank the Scientific Committee and everyone who worked with passion on this project. A special thanks goes to Eddie Bell, founder of the Santa Fe Symposium and a global benchmark for technical innovation. Having him here with us as Honorary President is confirmation that we are on the right path”.
Vicenza thus reaffirms its role as an international hub for jewelry innovation, and the Symposium establishes itself as a new global reference point in the calendar of events dedicated to technology, research, and jewelry culture.
“When global innovation chooses a city as a point of reference, it’s never by chance. It’s the result of a strong identity, a shared vision, and a productive fabric capable of looking ahead,” stated Giacomo Possamai, Mayor of Vicenza. “The first edition of The Vicenza Symposium marks an important milestone— not only for the goldsmith and fashion-tech sectors, but also for the future of our city itself. Vicenza confirms its role as an international crossroads for research, experimentation, and dialogue, reinforcing a position that grows stronger year after year. This event sets in motion a path that continues with Vicenzaoro and VIOFF, within a strategic vision that places Vicenza at the center of the technological and cultural transformations shaping the creative industries. Today more than ever, Vicenza is a global reference point for those working on innovation in jewelry, precious materials, and sustainability. On behalf of the city, thank you to everyone who believed in this project. The value created here does not end—it will continue to build the future of a Vicenza increasingly at center stage.”
The Vicenza Symposium will return in September 2027, for what is already shaping up to be a mustattend event for the international jewelry and fashion accessory community.
The Vicenza Symposium is organized by IEG – Italian Exhibition Group, in partnership with Legor Group S.p.A. e Progold S.p.A., in collaboration with Vicenzaoro e T.Gold, and with the support of A.F.E.M.O., CIBJO, CONFINDUSTRIA FEDERORAFI, FRANCÉCLAT, GJEPC India, HKJJA e MJSA. Sponsored by: Better Silver, Crivelli Gioielli, Facco Gioielli, HTL srl, Novart, RGS srl, Sunjewels Pvt Ltd.
