ISES and Luxury Marketing Council First Joint Event

March 20th, 2009 by Elizabeth Beskin | Share Blog

We are pleased to have been the photography sponsor of the recent ISES / Luxury Marketing Council joint program on How Luxury Brands Use Special Events in This Challenging Economy.  This event, held at the W Hotel at 41^st Street and Lexington Avenue, featured panelists from several brands which cater to consumers in the top income echelons.

A highlight link of the images from this event can be seen Here.

 

Moderated by Greg Furman, Founder and Chairman of The Luxury Marketing Council and Liz Glover Wilson, Head of Events for I-Star International, the program focused on maintaining customer relations in this select and highly coveted market segment.  Panelists for the event were Joe Ashworth, Head of Marketing for Bentley Motors; Whitley Bouma Herbert, Director of National Events at Moet Hennessy USA; Doug Gollan, President and Editor In Chief at Elite Traveler Magazine; and Ricky Sitomer, CEO and Co-founder at Blue Star Jet.

 

The panelists shared their strategies for catering to their best customers’ interests while remaining sensitive to the economic environment and their brand image in this volatile market.  The take-aways I got were:

• Strategic partnering is essential for this market
• A new social conscience has emerged about events, making these luxury consumers wary of flaunting their wealth with huge events and sponsorships
• If at all possible events should benefit a worthwhile cause

This event marked the first time ISES has partnered with The Luxury Marketing Council.  Based on the record-breaking turnout, I hope it won’t be the last.