The Gemological Institute of America (GIA) has named two co-chairs for its 2003 League of Honor Founders Dinner, to be held Oct. 20, 2003 in New York City.

They are Shmuel Schnitzer, president of the Israel Diamond Exchange and the World Federation of Diamond Bourses and a partner in M. Schnitzer & Co. Diamonds, and Terry Burman, chairman and chief executive officer of Sterling Jewelers Inc.

The dinner is held annually by GIA to honor major contributors to its nonprofit education and research activities. During the event, contributors are inducted into the GIA League of Honor.

The co-chairs were chosen in keeping with the tradition of the League of Honor Founders Dinner: one from the diamond industry, the other from the retail sector. The selection is made by the executive officers of GIA with guidance from the Institute’s Board of Governors. Since the inaugural dinner in 1995, more than 80 individuals from various gem and jewelry companies worldwide have been recognized at the event.