IDCA President Manoj Bhandari kicked off the evening by thanking the IDCA Board for the chance to serve as President. He praised the devotion and craftsmanship of artisans, miners, designers, suppliers, and dealers, and expressed special gratitude to his mentor, Nirmal Bardiya, Chairman of RMC Gems, for his unwavering support.
The prestigious awards of the evening included:
Gem Shopping Network received the e-tailer of the year award. Mike Burnette, Director of Jewelry Operations, collected the award, thanking the industry for its support and reminiscing on his path, including the encouragement he received from the Indian community.
Verdura received the Designer of the Year Award. The prize was accepted by company President Nico Landrigan, who highlighted Verdura and IDCA’s shared successes. He thanked mentor Munna Kejriwal for his great influence on his profession and life.
Outstanding Leadership Award for Gemstones – Awarded to Gopal Agrawal, CEO of Asian Gem Centre Inc. In his victory speech, he showed humility and gratitude to his mentors, clients, and wife for their unwavering support. He encouraged industry experts to keep striving for greatness.
IDCA Secretary Shekher Shah gave the Vote of Thanks, recognizing the sponsors and attendees who helped make the event a success. He praised the winners for their leadership and creativity, which propel the industry forward.
The event was hosted by comedian and emcee Tom Kelly, who added a colorful element to the festivities.