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Over
two days in June, the RLI Global Opportunities
2008 Conference presented a full and diverse programme, featuring
a superb line-up of speakers to take on the big issues, relate
their experiences and provide insight into the best strategies
for capitalising on the opportunities provided by the global
market. Delegates flew in from across the globe to attend the
Conference, supported by Platinum Sponsor City of Arabia, I&M
Galadari Group; Knowledge Partner, Reidin.com and Media Partner
Images Retail, and were treated to two days of varied presentations,
keeping them informed and entertained throughout. Broadcast
journalist Lucy Alexander of Sky News once again presented the
Conference.
On Day One, Nick Williams, a Director with Ernst & Young,
examined prospects for growth in the international retail sector,
whilst Chris Milliken, Leasing Director of Freeport Monaco,
talked about the range of offers in the value sector. Roy Higgs,
Chief Executive and Managing Principle of Baltimore-based Development
Design Group, discussed the North American market, providing
examples of best practice and an insight into the development
of different formats. After a morning networking break, Salim
Sacoor, a Member of the Executive Board of Portugal’s
Sacoor Brothers, took a close look at ‘emerging hot spots’
whilst highlighting the importance of choosing the right market
for your offer; this was followed by a presentation on Macao,
‘the next retail frontier’, by Morgan Parker, President
of Taubman Asia. Peter Barge, CEO of Jones Lang LaSalle Asia
Pacific and Chairman of JLL Hotels, headed an all-star Panel
Discussion, alongside Andrew Levermore, CEO of HyperCity; Tim
Enyon, Director of Provogue (India) and CEO of Prozone-Liberty;
and Ian Watt, Innovator in Chief with Retail Xpressions, entitled
‘Re-thinking the Rules’, discussing the potential
for success in the Indian market. Following lunch, RLI Publisher
Jayne Rafter conducted a short on-the-couch interview with Harvey
Nichols CEO Joseph Wan in which the pair examined the reality
of franchising in new and untapped markets, using the luxury
brand’s overseas experience as a guide to getting it right.
Chris Igwe, Head of Retail and Senior Director with CB Richard
Ellis, gave a thought-provoking presentation on the symbiosis
between retailer and landlord, whilst Richard Barclay, Senior
Vice President of SSP, UK, examined the mindset of successful
global food retailing. Day Two commenced with a fascinating
insight into the BRICS markets from David Roberts, CEO Asia,
Aedas, who shared his own experiences of these emerging powerhouses.
This was followed by ‘A Wild Ride’ as Jack Rouse,
CEO of US-based Jack Rouse Associates, offered an entertaining
insight into the challenges faced in ‘raising the game’
of experiential retail.
Nakheel’s Director, Strategy & Business Development,
Vito Carrozzo, looked at the phenomenal development boom across
the Emirates and what we might expect next from
this ‘market without limits’. There then followed
a presentation on the impact of globalisation on the India retail
market by Harminder Sahni, Managing Director of Technopak; a
discussion on Sands Retail Asia’s unique proposition in
creating a new momentum in Asia’s luxury retail market
place from David Sylvester, Vice President, Retail Development
Asia, Las Vegas Sands Corporation, and Tim Magill, a partner
with 5+ Design in the US, looked at the increasing importance
of mixed use in international retail development and design.
Following lunch, David Hand, Managing Director and Head of China
Retail with Jones Lang LaSalle Beijing, spoke about the future
outlook for retail in Asia; Al Gosling, CEO of the Extreme Group,
gave a typically dynamic
presentation on entertainment as the new anchor, whilst Canada-based
Richard Talbot, President & CEO of Talbot Consultants, presented
a masterclass in the creation of a
near-perfect tenant mix for customised target markets.
The afternoon sessions concluded with an examination of multi-channel
retailing from Paul Currie, Trading Director with Hamleys, and
a Panel Discussion: ‘The Green Dream’ from a environmental
dream team headed by Moderator Jessica Stewart, Project Manager,
EnviroMall; Matthew Tippett, Associate Director of Upstream;
Professor Renton Righelato, Chairman of the Trustees, World
Land
Trust, and Lisa Mattsson, Sustainability Consultant
at AEA Group.
Edward Jervis of Reed Midem, Mapic, said: “What a brilliant
two days again! Stimulating, interesting, thought-provoking
and high-level conference with a thoroughly enjoyable awards
ceremony and dinner at the end.”
The two-day event culminated with the spectacular Global RLI
Awards 2008 Gala Dinner. Held in the The Great Hall at Wembley
Stadium, the evening attracted guests from across the globe.
The evening’s entertainment included highlights from the
hit West End musical ‘We Will Rock You’. Headline
Sponsor for the Gala Awards evening was Sands Retail Asia. As
the world leader of integrated resort destinations, Sands Retail
Asia is creating Asia’s largest developments on The Cotai
Strip Macao, China, and The Marina Bay Sands, Singapore. |
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