The 2014 American Express Luxury Summit that will take place from April 6 through April 8 at The Ritz-Carlton, Naples in Florida will be attended by industry leaders, including senior level executives from the world’s leading luxury brands, including CEOs, creative director, and chief marketing officers.
According to Richard David Story, Editor in Chief of Departures, who is curating and speaking at the summit, this year’s theme “Luxury without Borders” addresses the real issues of what it means to produce luxury a) for a global market, b) without forfeiting authenticity, and c) through both old-style marketing and digital wizardry.
The Summit will explore many different topics that are relevant to the companies in the luxury space. For example, Joshua Cooper Ramo, Vice Chairman of Kissinger Associates, will address the Asian market and whether it is slowing down or speeding up.
Another interesting topic, “Does the ‘Made in Italy’ brand matter?” will be discussed by Umberto Angeloni, President and CEO of Caruso. Anbeloni will examine this question and touch on Italy’s unique heritage including provenance, craftsmanship and innovation.
Gucci Chief Marketing Officer Robert Triefus will do a sit down talk with Trevor Neilson, President of Global Philanthropy Group, about how luxury brands can be a force for positive change, while Harvard’s i-Lab Director Jodi Goldstein will share new findings from the Harvard I-Lab.
Arianna Huffington, Chair, President and Editor of the Huffington Post, will explain how we can make the subject of her new book Thrive: The Third Metric of Well-Being, Wisdom, Wonder, and Giving — part of our lives.
Other speakers include: Barneys New York Creative Director Dennis Freedman in conversation with Cary Leitzes, Founder & Director of Leitzes & Co.; Uwe Ellinghaus, Chief Marketing Officer of Global Cadillac; and, Carter Cleveland, Founder and CEO of Artsy.
According to Jill S. Davison, Vice President of Corporate Communications at American Express Publishing, the Summit (photos of the 2013 Summit are above and below) has uncovered new research about the mindset and behavior of this elusive customer. “This has always been an important part of the Summit mix,” she adds. “So, Dr. Jim Taylor of the Harrison Group will be back to deliver results from the Survey of Affluence and Wealth. And as part of the ‘Luxury Without Borders’ theme, this year’s study will feature new exclusive international data from Europe, Asia and the Middle East.”
Established in 1999, the Luxury Summit is the premier forum in the U.S. dedicated to the luxury industry. “Now in its 12th year, we continue to analyze critical issues and trends, share best practices, and examine the evolving needs of the affluent consumer in a rapidly changing world,” says Davison.
Participation in the Luxury Summit is by invitation only and geared to senior level executives from the world’s leading luxury brands. A big draw to the Summit’s is the superior networking opportunities that exist there, adds Davison. “Our objective is to send attendees home with new potential business partners and relationships,” she says.
This year, the Summit expects 250 attendees, including C-level, CMO and senior-level executives representing the various sectors within the luxury space — hoteliers, hospitality, fashion/retail, auto, wine/spirits, and ad agency.
“We’re very excited that Chef Michael Voltaggio (chef/owner of L.A.’s ink., Food & Wine Best New Chef, and Top Chef winner) will bring his signature culinary style to a beach barbecue on Monday night presented by Lamborghini,” says Davison.
Another premier event that will take place at the Summit this year is the golf tournament taking place on Sunday morning at the championship Tiburón Golf Course. Attendees are also going to test drive the 700 horsepower Lamborghini V12 Aventador and Aventador Roadster.
The Luxury Summit is being co-hosted by Time Inc. Chief Content Officer Norman Pearlstein and DEPARTURES Editor in Chief Richard Story.
Photos Courtesy of American Express Publishing
