Luxury PR & Brand Communications Summit
Join us in New York on Wednesday, July 23
A Luxury Roundtable production supported by Luxboro
Why attend PR and brand communications professionals in luxury have had to step up like never before. The global luxury business is under unprecedented pressure from ongoing geopolitical events such as wars in Ukraine and West Asia, weak Chinese consumer demand and U.S.-led tariffs that threaten to impact sales of luxury goods and services. Add to that evolving attitudes among younger millennials and Gen Z towards consumption of luxury products, a general spending shift to experiences and growing skepticism voiced online over country-of-origin claims and repeated price hikes.
It is no wonder that people in charge of public relations and marketing communications in-house or at agencies have had to work overtime to balance the perception, reality and reputation of luxury brands. Advertising launches, but PR sustains: that old saw has never been truer. At stake is the long-term trust in the promise of luxury brands and the values they espouse.
Focus Join us at Luxury Roundtable's Luxury PR & Brand Communications Summit on Wednesday, July 23, focused on the new face of luxury PR and brand communications. Topics covered include the state of luxury PR and brand communications, a fireside chat with the Americas head of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, case study on Brunello Cucinelli and how AI can go beyond automating marketing to building immunity to crises.
Also under discussion are PR 3.0's embrace of brand collabs and partnerships, branded content, influencer marketing programs, experiential events, social media maintenance and outreach, and even search engine optimization as well as interaction with editors and reporters on how to better work with them and how to build and sustain a valued luxury brand with strategic PR.
Partner Gramercy Wealth Management Group, UBS
Sponsorship queries [email protected]
BONUS All attendees will visit an exquisite luxury property on Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. for a pre-event networking cocktail reception that reflects the values of true quality and excellence in location, materials, marketing and PR. The venue will soon be disclosed, but save the time and date so you can fly in earlier on the day prior to the Wednesday, July 23 conference.
Why attend PR and brand communications professionals in luxury have had to step up like never before. The global luxury business is under unprecedented pressure from ongoing geopolitical events such as wars in Ukraine and West Asia, weak Chinese consumer demand and U.S.-led tariffs that threaten to impact sales of luxury goods and services. Add to that evolving attitudes among younger millennials and Gen Z towards consumption of luxury products, a general spending shift to experiences and growing skepticism voiced online over country-of-origin claims and repeated price hikes.
It is no wonder that people in charge of public relations and marketing communications in-house or at agencies have had to work overtime to balance the perception, reality and reputation of luxury brands. Advertising launches, but PR sustains: that old saw has never been truer. At stake is the long-term trust in the promise of luxury brands and the values they espouse.
Focus Join us at Luxury Roundtable's Luxury PR & Brand Communications Summit on Wednesday, July 23, focused on the new face of luxury PR and brand communications. Topics covered include the state of luxury PR and brand communications, a fireside chat with the Americas head of communications for Rolls-Royce Motor Cars, case study on Brunello Cucinelli and how AI can go beyond automating marketing to building immunity to crises.
Also under discussion are PR 3.0's embrace of brand collabs and partnerships, branded content, influencer marketing programs, experiential events, social media maintenance and outreach, and even search engine optimization as well as interaction with editors and reporters on how to better work with them and how to build and sustain a valued luxury brand with strategic PR.
Partner Gramercy Wealth Management Group, UBS
Sponsorship queries [email protected]
BONUS All attendees will visit an exquisite luxury property on Tuesday, July 22 at 4:30 p.m. for a pre-event networking cocktail reception that reflects the values of true quality and excellence in location, materials, marketing and PR. The venue will soon be disclosed, but save the time and date so you can fly in earlier on the day prior to the Wednesday, July 23 conference.
Location
UBS
11 Madison Avenue 10th Floor 10 West Great Hall New York, NY 10010 (24th Street entrance)
11 Madison Avenue 10th Floor 10 West Great Hall New York, NY 10010 (24th Street entrance)
Date & Time
July 23, 2025, 8 :00 AM - 4:00 PM
Schedule
| 8:00 am
Breakfast and Registration
Tank up on nourishment, coffee and water for a day of extensive learning and networking. Get a jump on the day by networking early with fellow delegates and speakers
| 8:15 am
Welcome: Authentic Storytelling at the Center of PR 3.0
Why authenticity, reputation and consumer trust matter even more in the current economic climate as PR and brand communications morph into a more critical component of luxury marketing and retail.
Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Eric P. Berger, senior vice president of wealth management, Gramercy Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services
Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Eric P. Berger, senior vice president of wealth management, Gramercy Wealth Management, UBS Financial Services
| 8:30 am
State of Luxury PR and Brand Communications
PANEL
How are professionals and firms in charge of public relations and brand communications to external and internal audiences coping with unprecedented pressures in the luxury business? Is PR picking up the slack for other marketing initiatives to drive and maintain consistent customer desire for luxury products and services? Is it more strategic counsel versus media relations? What initiatives are working for distinct luxury sectors and geographical markets? What does the future of luxury PR and brand communications look like?
Florence Quinn, president, Quinn PR
Monica Elias, CEO and executive producer, Elias World Media
Jack Wagner, director of communications and PR, The Corcoran Group
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
How are professionals and firms in charge of public relations and brand communications to external and internal audiences coping with unprecedented pressures in the luxury business? Is PR picking up the slack for other marketing initiatives to drive and maintain consistent customer desire for luxury products and services? Is it more strategic counsel versus media relations? What initiatives are working for distinct luxury sectors and geographical markets? What does the future of luxury PR and brand communications look like?
Florence Quinn, president, Quinn PR
Monica Elias, CEO and executive producer, Elias World Media
Jack Wagner, director of communications and PR, The Corcoran Group
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
| 9:00 am
LVMH's Moët Hennessy USA: The Art of Luxury PR and Experiences
FIRESIDE CHAT
What is the art of luxury PR and brand communications that differentiates itself from the mainstream? What role do experiential partnerships with likeminded brands play in introducing them to complementary audiences while growing awareness? Why does the PR role now include brand experiences?
Yunice J. Emir, head of corporate communications and experiential partnerships, LVMH's Moët Hennessy USA
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
What is the art of luxury PR and brand communications that differentiates itself from the mainstream? What role do experiential partnerships with likeminded brands play in introducing them to complementary audiences while growing awareness? Why does the PR role now include brand experiences?
Yunice J. Emir, head of corporate communications and experiential partnerships, LVMH's Moët Hennessy USA
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
| 9:15 am
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars: How the World's Most Exclusive Luxury Brand Runs PR and Communications
FIRESIDE CHAT
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to raise the bar for true luxury standards. It follows all key tenets of real luxury: limited production, high quality product with exquisite materials, impeccable customer service, finely crafted experiences to engender loyalty, memorable storytelling and authentic communication through the line. How does the head of communications for the British carmaker's largest market help maintain the brand integrity, messaging and image with its ultra-discerning audience and other constituencies?
Gerry Spahn, head of communications – Americas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Rolls-Royce Motor Cars continues to raise the bar for true luxury standards. It follows all key tenets of real luxury: limited production, high quality product with exquisite materials, impeccable customer service, finely crafted experiences to engender loyalty, memorable storytelling and authentic communication through the line. How does the head of communications for the British carmaker's largest market help maintain the brand integrity, messaging and image with its ultra-discerning audience and other constituencies?
Gerry Spahn, head of communications – Americas, Rolls-Royce Motor Cars
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
| 9:50 am
How Brunello Cucinelli Maintains High Customer Trust in an Era of Challenged Credibility
PRESENTATION
An era of increasing consumer skepticism requires continuous improvement to foster a culture of trust and credibility, which is essential for long-term individual, employee, team and organizational success. How does Italian luxury fashion giant Brunello Cucinelli leverage trust-building strategies to enhance customer experiences, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty? What steps does the luxury brand take to impact employee engagement, customer loyalty, and organizational culture and performance?
Milton Pedraza, CEO, Luxury Institute
An era of increasing consumer skepticism requires continuous improvement to foster a culture of trust and credibility, which is essential for long-term individual, employee, team and organizational success. How does Italian luxury fashion giant Brunello Cucinelli leverage trust-building strategies to enhance customer experiences, leading to higher customer satisfaction and loyalty? What steps does the luxury brand take to impact employee engagement, customer loyalty, and organizational culture and performance?
Milton Pedraza, CEO, Luxury Institute
| 10:30 am
Networking Break
Mingle and network with fellow delegates and speakers, grab a coffee, stretch your legs.
| 11:00 am
Building Immunity to Crises: How AI Can be Used to Complement Human Judgment
PRESENTATION
Most discussions around AI currently center on the technology's use in a tactical context, be it communications, marketing messaging and development of creative materials. But AI, including the generative sort, is best used in analyzing changing consumer sentiment. How can AI serve as an early-warning system by bringing disparate data sources together to identify emerging crises?
Jon Goldberg, founder and chief reputation architect, Reputation Architects
Most discussions around AI currently center on the technology's use in a tactical context, be it communications, marketing messaging and development of creative materials. But AI, including the generative sort, is best used in analyzing changing consumer sentiment. How can AI serve as an early-warning system by bringing disparate data sources together to identify emerging crises?
Jon Goldberg, founder and chief reputation architect, Reputation Architects
| 11:40 am
Legally Speaking: Social Media Influencer and Brand Protection Issues
PRESENTATION
As brands rely extensively on social media influencers to reach audiences in addition to channels such as email, advertising across media formats and PR, what should they safeguard against? How to protect the brand when it has allied its reputation alongside influencers whose followings often are larger than company- and media-owned email or social databases? How to ensure that potential scandals don't besmirch the brand?
Andrew B. Lustigman, partner, Olshan Frome Wolosky
Mary Grieco, partner, Olshan Frome Wolosky
As brands rely extensively on social media influencers to reach audiences in addition to channels such as email, advertising across media formats and PR, what should they safeguard against? How to protect the brand when it has allied its reputation alongside influencers whose followings often are larger than company- and media-owned email or social databases? How to ensure that potential scandals don't besmirch the brand?
Andrew B. Lustigman, partner, Olshan Frome Wolosky
Mary Grieco, partner, Olshan Frome Wolosky
| 12:00 pm
UBS: Decoding the Current Era of Billionaire Wealth
PRESENTATION
Since 2015, the number of billionaires has risen by more than half and their combined wealth has more than doubled to $14 trillion. But this increase in wealth has leveled off since 2020, notably as conditions have forced China’s billionaire entrepreneurs to retrench. Also, billionaires have been moving domicile since the COVID-19 pandemic and they increasingly want their wealth to have a positive impact on the world. From a demographic point of view, billionaires’ families are growing, potentially leading to a major upsurge in inheritance and charitable giving among this group of people. How to communicate to them?
Brian W. Formento, managing director for family office solutions, UBS Financial Services
Since 2015, the number of billionaires has risen by more than half and their combined wealth has more than doubled to $14 trillion. But this increase in wealth has leveled off since 2020, notably as conditions have forced China’s billionaire entrepreneurs to retrench. Also, billionaires have been moving domicile since the COVID-19 pandemic and they increasingly want their wealth to have a positive impact on the world. From a demographic point of view, billionaires’ families are growing, potentially leading to a major upsurge in inheritance and charitable giving among this group of people. How to communicate to them?
Brian W. Formento, managing director for family office solutions, UBS Financial Services
| 12:30 pm
Sponsored Networking Lunch
Break for lunch, network with fellow delegates and speakers, stretch your legs, catch up on emails and texts.
| 1:15 pm
Beyond Media Relations: PR 3.0 in a Two-Way Dialogue Environment
PANEL
PR agencies and internal roles within companies – chief communications officer, for example – now perform tasks beyond simple reporter outreach and media relations. Often, their roles overlap with CMOs at companies. Their bailiwick encompasses putting together partnerships and brand collaborations, branded content, influencer marketing programs, experiential events, social media maintenance and outreach, and even search engine optimization. What will PR 3.0 look like for the next-generation brand and corporate communications as well as internal employee outreach? What are the social media influencer and brand protection legal issues that should be noted?
Erin Silver, senior director of growth marketing and communications, Exclusive Resorts
Robin Dolch, president, Hundred Stories
Mack (Erin) McKelvey, founder/CEO, SalientMG
Bobby Bonett, chief marketing and revenue officer, Sandow Design Group
In Conversation with Stacy Berns, founder/owner, Berns Communications Group
PR agencies and internal roles within companies – chief communications officer, for example – now perform tasks beyond simple reporter outreach and media relations. Often, their roles overlap with CMOs at companies. Their bailiwick encompasses putting together partnerships and brand collaborations, branded content, influencer marketing programs, experiential events, social media maintenance and outreach, and even search engine optimization. What will PR 3.0 look like for the next-generation brand and corporate communications as well as internal employee outreach? What are the social media influencer and brand protection legal issues that should be noted?
Erin Silver, senior director of growth marketing and communications, Exclusive Resorts
Robin Dolch, president, Hundred Stories
Mack (Erin) McKelvey, founder/CEO, SalientMG
Bobby Bonett, chief marketing and revenue officer, Sandow Design Group
In Conversation with Stacy Berns, founder/owner, Berns Communications Group
| 1:50 pm
Mytheresa: How Well-Calibrated PR Supports a Leading Global Luxury Retailer
FIRESIDE CHAT
Mytheresa is one of the most successful online luxury retail platforms worldwide. Its adherence to a tightly curated selection of 250 brands on its site as well as ease of shopping and shipping have contributed to growing sales and profitability. A large part of the consumer acceptance, however, can be attributed to careful public relations and communications, especially in the key North American market comprising the United States and Canada – countries entered only in recent years. How does PR support and engage key audiences in this effort?
Aaron Alexander, vice president of public relations and communications for North America, Mytheresa
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Mytheresa is one of the most successful online luxury retail platforms worldwide. Its adherence to a tightly curated selection of 250 brands on its site as well as ease of shopping and shipping have contributed to growing sales and profitability. A large part of the consumer acceptance, however, can be attributed to careful public relations and communications, especially in the key North American market comprising the United States and Canada – countries entered only in recent years. How does PR support and engage key audiences in this effort?
Aaron Alexander, vice president of public relations and communications for North America, Mytheresa
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
| 2:15 pm
Editor's Note: What You've Always Wanted to Ask Journalists
PANEL
Your chance to ask seasoned editors and journalists how to build long-lasting relationships centered on trust. Discuss topics such as getting clients published as standalone stories or within features, the ideal press release, exclusives, image management, videos, TV appearances, webinars and podcasts, event coverage and coffee with the editor or reporter. Ask away – no question is taboo.
Jacqueline Gifford, editor in chief, Travel + Leisure
Jill Cohen, editor in chief, LUXE Interiors + Design
Emma Reynolds, luxury lifestyle editor and writer
In Conversation with Monica Elias, CEO and executive producer, Elias World Media
Your chance to ask seasoned editors and journalists how to build long-lasting relationships centered on trust. Discuss topics such as getting clients published as standalone stories or within features, the ideal press release, exclusives, image management, videos, TV appearances, webinars and podcasts, event coverage and coffee with the editor or reporter. Ask away – no question is taboo.
Jacqueline Gifford, editor in chief, Travel + Leisure
Jill Cohen, editor in chief, LUXE Interiors + Design
Emma Reynolds, luxury lifestyle editor and writer
In Conversation with Monica Elias, CEO and executive producer, Elias World Media
| 2:45 pm
How to Build, Elevate and Sustain a Valued Luxury Brand through Strategic PR
PANEL
While advertising is key to reinforcing the image of a luxury brand in printed and digital media, PR is relied on to sustain the brand's trajectory. What best-practice tips can help build and elevate luxury brands across sectors including fashion and leather goods, real estate, interior design, home furnishings, beauty, cars, jets and yachts, wines and spirits, travel and hospitality, retail, art, watches and jewelry? How can strategic PR thinking and deployment engender consumer loyalty and word of mouth?
Stephen Larkin, chief communications officer, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Shamin Abas, president, Shamin Abas
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
While advertising is key to reinforcing the image of a luxury brand in printed and digital media, PR is relied on to sustain the brand's trajectory. What best-practice tips can help build and elevate luxury brands across sectors including fashion and leather goods, real estate, interior design, home furnishings, beauty, cars, jets and yachts, wines and spirits, travel and hospitality, retail, art, watches and jewelry? How can strategic PR thinking and deployment engender consumer loyalty and word of mouth?
Stephen Larkin, chief communications officer, Douglas Elliman Real Estate
Shamin Abas, president, Shamin Abas
In Conversation with Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
| 3:30 pm
Closing Remarks: The Road Ahead for Luxury PR Professionals
What delegates must do next in the 30-, 60- and 90-day context to deploy smarter PR and brand communications strategy, tactics, execution and measurement.
Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Mickey ALAM KHAN, CEO, Luxury Roundtable and Luxboro
Speakers
Our speakers are topnotch experts in luxury PR, marketing and brand communications
Eric P. BERGER
Senior Vice President of Wealth Management
UBS Financial Services
UBS Financial Services
Eric P. Berger is senior vice president of wealth management and financial advisor at UBS Financial Services. He was previously in private banking at Credit Suisse.
Mickey ALAM KHAN
CEO
Luxury ROUNDTABLE
Luxury ROUNDTABLE
Mickey ALAM KHAN is CEO of Luxury Roundtable, the world's leading producer of luxury summits for luxury professionals. He is also CEO of Luxboro, a full-service marketing and upskilling agency for luxury real estate brokerages, networks and proptech firms.
Gerry SPAHN
Head of Communications – Americas
Rolls-ROYCE MOTOR CARs
Rolls-ROYCE MOTOR CARs
Gerry Spahn is head of communications for the Americas at Rolls-Royce Motor Cars. He was previously principal at
SCS Market and Financial Communications. Before that, he served stints at CNH, Groupe Renault and Nissan.
SCS Market and Financial Communications. Before that, he served stints at CNH, Groupe Renault and Nissan.
Florence QUINN
PRESIDENT
QUINN PR
QUINN PR
Florence Quinn is president of Quinn PR. Prior to founding her firm in 1989, she was vice president of public relations at Chiat/Day Advertising, now TBWA\Chiat\Day.
Shamin ABAS
PRESIDENT
Shamin ABAS
Shamin ABAS
Shamin Abas is president of Shamin Abas, a global communications and experiential marketing firm for luxury brands.
Jon GOLDBERG
Founder and chief reputation architect
Reputation Architects
Reputation Architects
Jon Goldberg is founder and chief reputation architect of Reputation Architects. Prior to founding his firm in 2009, he was partner and managing director of the corporate affairs practice at Porter Novelli and before that, executive vice president and general manager at Edelman.
Robin DOLCH
Founder/PresidenT
Hundred Stories PR
Hundred Stories PR
Robin Dolch is president of Hundred Stories PR. Prior to founding her firm in 2010, she was senior vice president at Rubenstein Associates and before that, founding senior editor of ICON magazine.
Stephen LARKIN
Chief Communications Officer
Douglas elliman Real Estate
Douglas elliman Real Estate
Stephen Larkin is chief communications officer of Douglas Elliman Real Estate. He was previously director of Relevance New York, principal of Larkin Public Relations, vice president of The Corcoran Group and associate producer at CBS News.
Milton PEDRAZA
CEO
Luxury Institute
Luxury Institute
Milton Pedraza is founder/CEO of Luxury institute, a provider of research, consulting and training for luxury and premium brands. He previously served at Colgate-Palmolive Co.
Yunice J. EMIR
Head of Corporate Communications and Experiential Partnerships
Moët Hennessy USA, LVMH
Moët Hennessy USA, LVMH
Yunice J. Emir is head of corporate communications and experiential partnerships
at LVMH's Moët Hennessy USA. She was previously senior manager of corporate social responsibility at Coca-Cola Co.
at LVMH's Moët Hennessy USA. She was previously senior manager of corporate social responsibility at Coca-Cola Co.
Monica ELIAS
CEO/Executive Producer
Elias World Media
Elias World Media
Monica Elias is CEO and executive producer of Elias World Media. Prior to founding her firm in 2013, she was senior vice president of Synaptic Digital and before that, vice president of client solutions at MediaLink.
Jacqueline GIFFORD
EDITOR IN Chief
Travel + Leisure
Travel + Leisure
Jacqueline Gifford is editor in chief of Travel + Leisure. Prior to joining the magazine, she was travel editor at Brides magazine and features editor at OK! magazine.
Brian W. FORMENTO
managing director for family office solutions
UBS Financial Services
UBS Financial Services
Brian W. Formento is managing director for family office solutions at UBS Financial Services. Prior to his current position, he was executive director and senior portfolio strategist and before that, national director for private wealth strategies sales, both at UBS. He was previously
managing director at
Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management.
managing director at
Deutsche Bank Private Wealth Management.
Mack (Erin) McKELVEY
Founder/CEO
SalientMG
SalientMG
Mack (Erin) McKelvey is founder/CEO of SalientMG. She was previously senior vice president of marketing at Millennial Media and before that, senior director of marketing at Sirius XM Radio.
Andrew B. LUSTIGMAN
Partner
Olshan Frome Wolosky
Olshan Frome Wolosky
Andrew B. Lustigman is partner at Olshan Frome Wolosky. He was previously managing partner of The Lustigman Firm.
Aaron ALEXANDER
Vice President of Public Relations and Communications for North America
Mytheresa
Mytheresa
Aaron Alexander is vice president of public relations and communications for North America at Mytheresa. He was previously senior director of public relations and communications at Versace.
Mary GRIECO
partner
Olshan Frome Wolosky
Olshan Frome Wolosky
Mary Grieco is partner at Olshan Frome Wolosky's intellectual property and branding group. She was previously intellectual property attorney at Gursky & Partners.
Jack WAGNER
Director of Communications and PR
The Corcoran Group
The Corcoran Group
Jack Wagner is director of communications and PR at The Corcoran Group. He was previously senior communications manager at Compass.
Stacy BERNS
Founder/owner
Berns Communications Group
Berns Communications Group
Stacy Berns is founder/owner of Berns Communications Group. She is also founder of the Retail Influencer Network and The Z Suite, and cofounder of The DealmakeHers.
Emma REYNOLDS
Luxury Lifestyle editor and writer
Emma Reynolds is a luxury lifestyle editor and writer, with work featured in Forbes, Robb Report, Business Insider, House Beautiful, Penta, Mansion Global, Sotheby's Reside Magazine, Nobleman, Luxury Tribune, Editorialist and Byrdie. She was previously associate luxury editor at Elite Traveler.
Jill COHEN
Editor in Chief
Luxe Interiors + Design
Luxe Interiors + Design
Jill Cohen is editor in chief of LUXE Interiors + Design. She is also president of Jill Cohen Associates, a publishing agency with expertise in development, packaging, representation and marketing.
Erin SILVER
senior director of growth marketing and communications
Exclusive Resorts
Exclusive Resorts
Erin Silver is senior director of growth marketing and communications at Exclusive Resorts. She was previously head of social media and influencer marketing at Volvo Car USA.
Bobby BONETT
chief marketing and revenue officer
Sandow Design Group
Sandow Design Group
Bobby Bonett is chief marketing and revenue officer of Sandow Design Group. He was previously director of global content and media distribution at the National Basketball Association.
Emma REYNOLDS
Luxury Lifestyle editor and writer
Emma Reynolds is a luxury lifestyle editor and writer, with work featured in Forbes, Robb Report, Business Insider, House Beautiful, Penta, Mansion Global, Sotheby's Reside Magazine, Nobleman, Luxury Tribune, Editorialist and Byrdie. She was previously associate luxury editor at Elite Traveler.