The ICA Congress for 2009 will be setting some milestones – its tenure will be extended for the first time since its inception in 1985 from a five day event to a six day event. Also, the Congress is expected to host the maximum number of attendees so far. The International Colored Gemstone Association (ICA) made the announcement. %% ICA president Andrew Cody said in a statement, “In setting the agenda for the ICA Congress in Panyu, we discovered that the number of speakers, discussion sessions and activities could not be scheduled into our usual five-day format.” The agenda will include four days of sessions with speakers from around the world, excursions, registration days and golf and tennis tournaments. %% ICA Congress Chairman Edward Boehm remarked that, “Excitement is already building as we set the agenda for bringing the world of gemstones to China.” %% The sponsors for the ICA Congress 2009 are the National Gemstone Testing Center (NGTC) in Beijing, the China Council for the Promotion of International Trade Panyu Branch and Woldmart Jewelry & Gems Emporium (HK) Ltd. The 2009 ICA Congress will be held in Panyu, Guangzhou - China’s largest jewellery manufacturing area, from May 5-10, 2009.