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THE FOUNDERS

  • Christoph Keilmann - Founder

    Christoph was born into the world of minerals and gemstones, literally. His parents are the founders of  Germany´s famous mineral and gemstone fair The Munich Show, which launched 60 years ago in Germany. Chris spent his youth excavating crystals in the Alps and unearthing dinosaur bones with his dad in Wyoming. He grew up to invent Gemworld, a brand new fair in his hometown Munich, in 2008. This show concept embodies Christoph´s vision of an upscale platform for gemstones and jewelry and successfully took the Munich Show to the next level, making it Europe´s most relevant fair for the jewelry and gemstone industries in the fall season. Having been a part of the community himself for all of his life, Christoph understands the needs of mineral and gemstone enthusiasts and business professionals alike. In 2021, he made another life dream come true when he launched the HardRock Summit bringing his passion for minerals and gemstones to the United States. Now, Christoph is excited to welcome trade professionals and consumers to the third edition of the Hardrock Summit: “I am thankful for the amazing success of the launch 2021 of the HardRock Summit and equally excited for the future of the fair”, Christoph says. “Given the current shuffles in the international markets caused by political insecurities around the globe, we are grateful to have established the HardRock Summit as a counterpoint that offers the community stability, dependability and – last, but not least – a joyful time in the United States.”

  • Wolter Mehring - Founder

    Wolter means business: Whether it´s in international finance, real estate or the hospitality industry the Californian entrepreneur has made outstanding contributions to the diverse fields he has been working in during the last decades. One of Wolter´s iconic success stories is the acquisition of the Pueblo Gem & Mineral Show in Tuscon, AZ in 2006. Driven by his passion for the mineral business and accompanied by a team of industry specialists he developed the fair into one of the most unique and premier mineral and gemstone shows in the US. In 2021, Wolter partnered with Christoph to realize yet another dream of his: to take the idea of a mineral and gem show to new heights in terms of attendance and resulting business turnover. “I am thrilled that we were able to establish the HardRock Summit as the most relevant US mineral and gemstone industry platform in fall”, explains Wolter. “My aim is to continue to give the industry an opportunity for great business and networking just in time for the crucial holiday season. In the world of minerals, gemstones and jewelry, the right timing is a business advantage that can´t be overestimated.”