At the 2008 JCK Las Vegas Show, Belgian diamond companies have committed their participation in huge numbers. The companies will be present at different zones of the event site. Around 30 will be a part of the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion, planned at the Diamond Plaza on level-2, while others will be exhibiting elsewhere. %% The AWDC companies exhibiting at the Antwerp Diamond Pavilion include: Ami Diamonds, Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Flanders Investment & Trade (F.I.T.) / Antwerp World Diamond Centre, Arjav Diamonds, B & R Worldwide Diamonds, B & S (Backes & Strauss), Beladamas, Bornstein / Constellation Diamond Co. Inc., Dhaval Gems, Diarough, Einhorn K., Fine Facets, Fischler Diamonds, Grunberger Diamonds, Hope Belgium, HRD Antwerp, IGC Group, Luc Vets Diamonds - KR Diamonds, Marjan Diamonds, Muller S. & Sons, Nordic Fire, Pristine Diamonds, Royal Gem Co., Rubin & Zonen, Sima Diamond, Vama Gems, Vets Alphi Diamonds Manufacturing, World Diamond Import Co/ Allied Diamonds, Yaelstar / J.B. & Brothers. %% Other Belgian diamond companies will feature at the in the Sands Expo and Convention Center. This is the site where the US premier jewellery show is being held between May 30 to June 30. Freddy J. Hanard, CEO of the AWDC said “While the U.S. share of Antwerp’s polished diamond exports dipped somewhat during the first quarter of this year, this was due to a rate at which overall polished exports increased. Indeed, exports of polished diamonds to the United States during the first quarter of the year actually rose to $795.6 million, from $755.0 million during the first quarter of 2007”. He added, “While the United States is in the midst of an economic downturn at present, this does not undermine its importance as the world’s most important diamond market.” %% The 2008 JCK-Las Vegas Show will be a platform for the AWDC to promote the 2009 edition of the HRD Awards, a jewellery design competition. The 2009 edition of this competition has been entitled “Once upon a time… my favourite fairy tale.” The Antwerp Diamond Pavilion at Show has been organised by the Antwerp World Diamond Centre (AWDC) and Flanders Investment & Trade (FIT).