Chair's opening remarks

Denis Morisset Denis has worked for more than 20 years in the Luxury Fashion Industry and occupied CEO/COO positions with companies such as Polo Ralph Lauren (Europe), Pierre Balmain and Giorgio Armani (France). Denis’ particular focus and passion is emerging markets. He has collaborated with international companies on brand extensions & branding issues. His advice has also been invaluable to new brands and designers from emerging markets on their international distribution and retail strategies.

Jean-Claude Biver is one of those rare men who have left a mark on Swiss watchmaking. Jean-Claude has been involved in the watchmaking industry since 1975 and was instrumental in developing elite brands such as Audemars Piguet, Omega, Blancpain and presently Hublot. Drawing on his illustrious career and vast experience, Jean-Claude will reveal to you inspirational and invaluable insights.

• Revolutionising and reinventing Hublot to reach out to and engage the luxury consumer
• Examining the role of effectively leadership to steer your brand through the downturn
• Effectively communicating and reaching out to the luxury consumer in times of crisis

Jean-Claude Biver Jean-Claude Biver is one of those rare men who have left a mark on Swiss watchmaking. Jean-Claude has been involved in the watchmaking industry since 1975 and was instrumental in developing elite brands such as Audemars Piguet, Omega, Blancpain and presently Hublot.

Marc's keys to success are audacity, hard work and attention to details. Marc has extensive experience in the luxury industry including launching of children's ready-to-wear “at the time, a totally innovative concept - fashion for children by designers, a world market to conquer - and an incredibly enriching professional adventure” and launching success of the jewellery, Escada Junior, and leather goods development. Drawing on this experience, this luxury brand specialist will detail:

• Luxury innovation in the face of limited resources
• Creating emotional connections and touching passion points
• Using experiences to build brand engagement
• Breaking through the noise and creating an identity in crowded marketplace

Marc Lelandais Marc Lelandais started his career in the Perfumes department of Pierre Cardin. After spending 3 years in a supply chain management of perfumes and cosmetics, and a short stay in the Swiss watchmaker, Raymond Weill, Marc Lelandais became International Marketing Director at CWF’s (Burberry, DKNY, Kenzo), specialized company in children’s ready-to-wear: “at the time, a totally innovative concept – fashion for children by designers, aworld market to conquer – and an incredibly enriching [ read more ...]

While consumption is flagging in the USA and Europe, many still see the Middle East as a bright spot with potential for growth. The insightful panel will bring together luxury experts to debate and forecast where they feel the latest opportunities are out there for brands in the Middle East.

• Examining how the luxury landscape will change in the next 6 -12 months and the impact on your growth strategy
• Reflecting on the impact of the downturn on luxury business operations in the Middle East
• Forecasting what segments of consumers will fill the gap when faced with changing buying behaviour as a result of the downturn
• Developing strategies that effectively grow your business without jeopardising the exclusivity of your brand
• Positioning your brand for future growth and preparing for the upturn

Coffee & networking break

Christian has been Executive Vice President of Hermès International since 2004. Previously he was also the CEO of Hermès Sellier which is the main subsidiary of the Hermès Group, all “métiers”, all manufacturing operations except perfume and watches. Hermès Sellier was the “family company” before the creation of Hermès International. Drawing on his vast experience, Christian will provide insights into:

• Examining the phenomenon of luxury and its evolution
• Repositioning of luxury and what it means for how you position your brand
• Identifying business-critical future innovations within the luxury business model in terms of new segments, technology and retail
• Forecasting the future drivers for luxury and what will determine success

Christian Blanckaert Christian has been Executive Vice President of Hermès International since 2004. Previously he was also the CEO of Hermès Sellier which is the main subsidiary of the Hermès Group, all “métiers”, all manufacturing operations except perfume and watches. Hermès Sellier was the “family company” before the creation of Hermès International.

Stanislas de Quercize has had extensive experience within the Richemont group, serving in 4 Maisons: Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill, in various capacities. The sentence, now famous, pronounced one day by Jacques Arpels, quotes “Our mission is to offer the best” has become the motto of the company. Drawing on this ethos, Stanislas will detail:

• Key learnings from the history of Van Cleef & Arpels
• How does creativity offer the best avenues ensure a rebound and resilience?

Stanislas de Quercize Stanislas de Quercize has had extensive experience within the Richemont group, serving in 4 Maisons: Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill, in various capacities. Stanislas de Quercize is a graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, a leading French business school in Rouen, and is a licensed lawyer. He is an admirer of contemporary art and has a collection of contemporary art photographs.

Concetta joined Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH in 1985 and has since played a key role in the organisational development of the Groupe Arnault, introducing innovative practices, injecting highly creative designers and strongly contributing to the modernisation of the luxury industry. In the luxury industry she has witnessed and driven the evolution of luxury and during insightful interview she will reveal to you her insights on what it takes to make a luxury business success.

• Examining the opportunities and challenges the luxury industry faces today
• Identifying business models and initiatives that are working
• Assessing new business models that will engage the luxury consumer in the future

Concetta Lanciaux Dr Concetta Lanciaux, PhD, Executive MBA and former Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA - USA), joined Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH in 1985 and has since played a key role in the organizational development of the Groupe Arnault, introducing innovative practices, injecting highly creative designers and strongly contributing to the modernization of the French luxury industry.

Lunch

While your luxury consumer is still spending, in the current environment they are thoroughly re-examining and assessing what they buy. You need to ensure that you not only differentiate your brand, but that you ensure your message still resonates with your core clientele. Didier has worked for over 15 years in the cosmetic industry in various parts of the world. He currently heads the Estee Lauder Group of Companies in the Middle East and India and manages luxury brands such as: Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Tom Ford. Drawing on this experience, Didier will examine how to remain relevant to your consumer by:

• Going back to basics and assessing what your consumer really desires to ensure you stay front of mind
• Putting your customer at the forefront of your strategies to consistently meet and exceed their expectations
• Adapting how you communicate to retain your core consumer during a slowdown

Didier Picard Didier has worked for over 15 years in the cosmetic industry in various parts of the world. He currently heads the Estee Lauder Group of Companies in the Middle East and India and manages luxury brands such as: Estee Lauder, Clinique, MAC, Bobbi Brown, La Mer, Tom Ford. He steers the Group's vision to achieve the objectives of the different business units and to coordinate the activities of the support functions (HR, Finance, Logistic operations).

The Middle East luxury consumer is very different from their counterparts in the USA, Europe or Asia. Having experienced a massive growth in wealth and transfer of generational wealth in a relatively short span of time, how has the economic downturn affected their buying behaviour? More importantly, how do you adapt your business strategies accordingly? Deborah has managed retail networks both in mono and multi brand environments for Boucheron both in Europe and the Middle East. She co-founded the watch and jewellery division, around the De Beers Diamond Jewellers Master Franchise which now operates 4 stores in the region, and will be opening another 3 in the second half of 2009. Drawing on this experience she will detail:

• Keeping pace with changes in your luxury consumer's behaviour and adapting your strategies accordingly
• Examining the change in perception of luxury in eyes of your consumer due to the downturn and implication for your strategies
• Highlighting consumers insights that will enable you to increase the effectiveness of market segmentation
• Targeting consumers with considerable wealth versus aspiration consumers

Deborah Najar Jossa Deborah has managed retail networks both in mono and multi brand environments for Boucheron both in Europe and the Middle East. She co-founded the watch and jewellery division, around the De Beers Diamond Jewellers Master Franchise which now operates 4 stores in the region, and will be opening another 3 in the second half of 2009.

There is no doubt that the majority of your revenue comes from your core clientele. In times of crisis you need to ensure that not only are you keeping your key consumers close to you, but also leverage on them to help you recruit new consumers.

• Innovative techniques to reach out to and engage your core customer base
• Getting the most out of your established customers
• Developing effective CRM techniques to keep and get the most out of your loyal customers
• Focusing on retention strategies that leave your customers with a sense of appreciation for every single purchase

Philippe Boven

Luxury Networking Card ExchangePrime Networking Opportunity, Bring Plenty Of Business Cards! Leaders in Luxury consistently attracts the cream of the crop of the luxury industry and networking is consistently noted as one of the top benefits of attending. The Luxury Networking Card Exchange is provides the ideal platform to informally way to meet your fellow delegates. Structured around a series of intimate 5 minute introductions, this is your opportunity to gather new contacts, set up meetings or just get to know your peers who will shape the conference proceedings.

Even in the current downturn there are opportunities. The brands that have the courage and conviction to invest in maintaining their presence and visibility could potentially gain market share and win new clients. Join your expert presenter as they detail how to gain new clients during a downturn.

• Leveraging on existing clients to become your brand ambassadors
• Debating whether building aspiration for your brand the only key to gaining new customers
• Implementing a media strategy that enables you up to occupy prime positions and eventually gain market share
• Driving long-term customer loyalty and acquisition through differentiation

Werner Pichler

Would you value face time with leading personalities and minds of the luxury industry? Find it hard to ask the questions you want to when key speakers are on stage? This year we are introducing informal roundtable sessions so you can get up close and personal with the leaders that drive the luxury industry. This is a unique and once in a lifetime opportunity to spend intimate time with these key speakers.How it works:Each table is comprised of 15-20 delegates. There will be 2 session of 20 minutes and each participant will have the opportunity to visit 2 tables. Each session will comprise of informal Q&A and discussion. At the end of the session roundtable hosts will feedback to the audience the main highlights of their individual discussions.

1. Steering your brand through the downturn - lessons learnt from the renaissance of HublotLed by: Jean-Claude Biver, CEO, Hublot
2. Examining and identifying key drivers for the future of luxury and the impact on your strategiesLed by: Christian Blanckaert, Executive Vice President, Hermès International
3. Opportunities and challenges for luxury brandsLed by: Concetta Lanciaux, Strategy and Organisation Luxury Advisor, Former Advisor to Bernard Arnault
4. Lessons from Very Creative ArtistsLed by: Stanislas de Quercize, President and CEO, Van Cleef & Arpels

Christian Blanckaert Christian has been Executive Vice President of Hermès International since 2004. Previously he was also the CEO of Hermès Sellier which is the main subsidiary of the Hermès Group, all “métiers”, all manufacturing operations except perfume and watches. Hermès Sellier was the “family company” before the creation of Hermès International.

Stanislas de Quercize Stanislas de Quercize has had extensive experience within the Richemont group, serving in 4 Maisons: Van Cleef & Arpels, Cartier, Montblanc and Alfred Dunhill, in various capacities. Stanislas de Quercize is a graduate of Ecole Supérieure de Commerce, a leading French business school in Rouen, and is a licensed lawyer. He is an admirer of contemporary art and has a collection of contemporary art photographs.

Concetta Lanciaux Dr Concetta Lanciaux, PhD, Executive MBA and former Professor at the Carnegie Mellon University (Pittsburgh, PA - USA), joined Bernard Arnault, Chairman of LVMH in 1985 and has since played a key role in the organizational development of the Groupe Arnault, introducing innovative practices, injecting highly creative designers and strongly contributing to the modernization of the French luxury industry.

Chair's summary and close of day one

After a day filled with constructive discussion, case studies andcritical information for your luxury brand, RELAX, UNWIND andmake new friends and contacts at the Networking Reception! Take advantage of this opportunity to network with the industry's brightest and most forward thinking leaders in a relaxed and informal atmosphere. Bring plenty of business cards and expand your luxury network!