The most appropriate venue for an international conference bringing together members of the global diamond industry from all parts of the diamond pipeline could only be Antwerp. Since 2002, regular Antwerp Diamond Conferences have provided stakeholders in the diamond trade the opportunity of examining the pressing issues of the day.

In the years since it was first established, the two-day Antwerp Diamond Conference has become one the most important events on the diamond and jewellery industry’s annual calendar. Among the and individuals who have attended as guests of honour are former U.S. Vice President Al Gore and Botswana President Festus Mogae (2002), President Bill Clinton (2003), South-African President Thabo Mbeki (2004), Liberian President Ellen Johnson-Sirleaf and social activist Bob Geldof (2007). They were joined by Nobel Prize winners, government ministers and ambassadors from of a wide range of countries.

Furthermore, the tradition of donating the benefits of the Gala Dinner to various works of charity has been an important benchmark for the success of this organization.
Traditionally, the conferences have been built around the theme. The first examined the issues of rough diamond supply, while the second one focused on downstream marketing, and the 2004 event looked in depth at the impact of synthetic diamonds. The 2007 conference looked specifically at the role of the diamond industry in promoting sustainable economic development in the countries in which it is active.

In 2008, with the onset of the global financial crisis, the regular format of the conference was changed, and the event was held as a one-day Antwerp Diamond Symposium. Focusing specifically upon the effects of the crisis on the diamond industry, the event drew participants from around the world. Another Antwerp Diamond Symposium is scheduled for 2009.