The goldsmith and silversmith sector, along with the fashion accessories industry, is undergoing a profound transformation to ensure sustainable development at the intersection of creativity, artisanal tradition and technological innovation. This challenge is on stage at the first edition of The Vicenza Symposium, a biennial scientific platform for the industry, from September 2 to 4, 2025 at the historic Palladian Basilica in Vicenza, just ahead of Vicenzaoro (September 5-9, 2025).

“The ongoing transformations call for deep reflection on how we want to produce, innovate and create value - explains Damiano Zito, President of the Symposium and of its distinguished Scientific Committee. This symposium is conceived to meet that need, offering a space for dialogue between science, industry and the culture of making. Connecting the best international expertise means not only anticipating the future, but also guiding it with awareness, vision and responsibility."

The mission of The Vicenza Symposium is to explore new frontiers in high-quality jewellery and fashion accessory production - through a responsible, sustainable and certified approach that merges technical expertise, cultural vision and creative research. Its unique multidisciplinary format sets it apart from all other industry events, offering concrete networking opportunities among internationally recognized speakers, participating companies and key stakeholders.

The path toward the future of the jewellery industry is being shaped by a top-level Scientific Committee composed of nine prominent experts: Massimo Poliero (Vice President), Frédéric Diologent, Giorgio Bodei, Ezio Dadone, Ulrich Klotz, Valerio Doppio, Florian Bulling, Joyce Lam and Andrea Friso, with Eddie Bell - founder of the historic Santa Fe Symposium - as Honorary President.

AN OPEN DIALOGUE BETWEEN TRADITION AND THE FUTURE

The Vicenza Symposium aims to support the JEWELLERY sector through an innovation journey that enhances - not replaces - artisanal heritage, integrating it into a renewed and forward-looking vision.

"The challenge - notes Ezio Dadone (Jewellery Industrialization & Manufacturing Senior Director at Bvlgari, LVMH Group), is to use innovation to relieve artisans of repetitive tasks, giving them back time and space to focus on the essence of their craft: shaping precious masterpieces. True progress is achieved when technology supports creativity and manual craftsmanship.”

Echoing this, Valerio Doppio (R&D Manager, Progold) sees in the combination of Artificial Intelligence and Additive Manufacturing "a new production era - more precise, efficient, flexible, and sustainable - which can integrate the value of craftsmanship with the potential of technology. This change opens up new perspectives and will allow the industry to blend its artisanal heritage with the most advanced technologies."

TECHNOLOGY AND SUSTAINABILITY: AN ESSENTIAL PAIRING

Environmental respect and impact reduction have become essential drivers for the industry. Giorgio Bodei (Industrial Director, Pomellato) points out that "the push toward sustainability has triggered a profound shift, encouraging the search for lower-impact processes, materials, and technologies throughout the value chain. During the Symposium, presentations will show how this new driver has fostered the study and development of alternative technologies for production and product traceability."

At the same time, Andrea Friso (R&D Manager for Master Alloy, Legor Group) highlights the need for a constructive dialogue between the worlds of jewellery and fashion: “We’re starting a journey that, drawing from the Santa Fe Symposium’s legacy, looks to the future of technology applied to both sectors. It’s crucial to promote cross-disciplinary contaminations between these complementary fields, as shown in presentations on transversal production technologies and innovative treatments like CN-free galvanic baths. The goal is to engage both scientific communities and stimulate new experimentation and perspective shifts."

A SCIENTIFICALLY-GROUNDED PLATFORM FOR CHANGE

At the core of the Symposium is the rigorous, content-driven approach of the Scientific Committee. Ulrich Klotz, Professor at Hochschule München University of Applied Sciences, emphasizes the importance of AI and experimental methods to advance both traditional and innovative materials: “The Vicenza Symposium will be a key event for our industry, offering presentations built on a solid scientific and technical foundation. I’m particularly looking forward to discussions on how AI tools, Simulations and experimental methods can help improve the way we work with both traditional and new materials. These conversations will deepen our shared understanding and encourage new ways of combining scientific research with craftsmanship”.

A THREE-DAY GATHERING FOR A GLOBAL COMMUNITY OF EXPERTS AND INNOVATORS

The Vicenza Symposium is a global network for technical and cultural exchange, taking place over three days, during which 21 international speakers will share cutting-edge research and innovation in seven daily sessions aimed at a highly qualified audience.

Each session is followed by interactive discussions and Q&A opportunities, allowing for practical knowledge-sharing and dialogue with speakers.

With a future-focused program and a strong foundation in technical culture, The Vicenza Symposium aims to become a new global platform where vision meets craftsmanship and technology becomes a strategic ally of artisanal excellence.

The complete agenda of panels is available at https://thevicenzasymposium.com/agenda/ For more info, please contact: organization@thevicenzasymposium.com

The Vicenza Symposium is organized by IEG - Italian Exhibition Group, in partnership with Legor Group S.p.A. and Progold S.p.A., in collaboration with Vicenzaoro and T.Gold, and with the support of A.F.E.M.O., CIBJO, CONFINDUSTRIA FEDERORAFI, FRANCÉCLAT, GJEPC India, HKJJA e MJSA.