FORBES LIFESTYLE
Attendees at the 2011 FT Business of Luxury Summit in Lausanne, Switzerland.
A handful of publishing companies host annual conferences that focus on current issues in the luxury industry. These events attract an international audience of professionals who deal with the creation and marketing of luxury products and brands. They promise learning and discussion as well as networking opportunities with some of the world’s top executives in the luxury industry.
These conferences have changed over the years from a celebration of the expansion of the good life to dealing with the turmoil from events, such as the worldwide economic downturn, democracy movements in the Middle East and the tragedy in Japan. More recently there’s the move of luxury brands to China and India to meet the desires of a booming new group of affluent consumers. Then, there’s the economic uncertainly in the European Union and Euro brought about by the debt crisis.
These issues and more in the constantly-changing world have given these conferences an increased importance. Below is quick rundown of three of the more successful luxury summits that will be hosting their events this year.
American Express Publishing Luxury Summit
The American Express Publishing Corp., publishers of several affluent lifestyle magazines including Travel + Leisure,Food & Wine, Departures, Executive Travel and Black Ink, will host its 10th annual American Express Publishing Luxury Summit at The Breakers Palm Beach, May 6-8.
The theme of this year’s event is, “What Works Now: Luxury to Believe In,” addresses the forces that drive luxury spending during a time of increasingly complex global expansion and economic uncertainty. Speakers include: Kenneth Chenault, chairman and CEO of American Express, John Galantic, president and COO of Chanel, Audi of America CMO Scott Keogh, Trevor Neilson, president of Global Philanthropy, and political commentator/author Chris Matthews.
For more information, follow the link.
FT Business of Luxury Summit
This gets the award for the most exotic location as the eighth annual FT Business of Luxury Summit will be held at the Four Seasons Resort in Marrakech, Morocco, May 30 – June 1.
The theme for the 2012 Summit is “TheLifestyle Revolution.” The program will explore the increased intermingling of luxury and lifestyle. Speakers include François-Henri Pinault, PPR chairman and CEO, Luca di Montezemolo, Ferrari SpA chairman, and Chris Blackwell, Founder of Island Records and Island Outpost Hotels & Resorts.
For more information, follow the link.
International Herald Tribune’s Luxury Business Conference
For those who have the luxury of being able to plan, the 12th annualInternational Herald Tribune Luxury Business Conference will be held in Rome on November 15 and 16 and will focus on “The power of the Mediterranean, the promise of Africa.”
The conference is curated by Suzy Menkes, IHT Fashion Editor. Designer Jean-Paul Gaultier will deliver the keynote speech this year. More than 500 senior figures and innovators from the fashion and luxury goods industries are expected to attend.
For more information, follow the link.
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Anthony DeMarco, Contributor
I cover jewelry, watches, luxury, food, travel, design, etc.
