Bernard Arnault to Give Opening Keynote Address at International Herald Tribune's Luxury Business Conference in Moscow

Business Wire,  Oct 4, 2007  

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The LVMH chairman and CEO's speech will focus on how luxury brands can continue to survive and prosper in an increasingly competitive marketplace

PARIS -- The International Herald Tribune (IHT) has confirmed that Bernard Arnault, the chairman and CEO of LVMH Louis Vuitton Mo[R]t Hennessy, will deliver the opening keynote address at its Moscow 2007: Supreme Luxury conference which takes place at The Ritz-Carlton, Moscow on November 28th and 29th.

This is the second time that Mr. Arnault, who built and controls the world's largest fashion and luxury goods group, has agreed to speak at the IHT's annual conference. His address will explore the most pressing issues faced by today's decision-makers in the luxury industry. Among the topics to be covered are: how to satisfy consumers of luxury goods who are more demanding than ever before; the importance for luxury brands to dramatically differentiate themselves; and the new, profitable consumer bases emerging in countries such as Russia, China and India. Mr. Arnault will explore the notion of luxury in this changing marketplace and how high standards can and must be maintained throughout the supply chain from production to distribution in retail stores.

Mr. Arnault said: "By hosting this year's conference in Moscow, one of the budding markets in the luxury sector, the IHT has once again demonstrated its unique ability to go where the business of luxury is beginning to emerge. That, and the consistently high quality of delegates and speakers, is why I have agreed to attend the conference for the second time."

Suzy Menkes, the IHT's fashion editor and chair for the conference, said: "We could not have a more important mover and shaker in the luxury industry than Bernard Arnault.

"With his passion for high style and his vision about taking fashion in all its facets into the future, the chairman and CEO of LVMH is at the pinnacle of the luxury world. The brands he has nurtured include Dior, Louis Vuitton and Givenchy, as well as an important slice of the beauty, jewelry and watch industries.

We at the IHT are honored that he has chosen to open the Moscow conference and talk on a subject that he understands so well: Supreme Luxury."

Now in its seventh year, the International Herald Tribune's luxury conference attracts the highest profile speakers and delegates from all over the world. This year's roster of marquee names is particularly impressive and includes Yves Carcelle, chairman and CEO of Louis Vuitton, Sidney Toldedano, president and CEO, Christian Dior Couture, and creative leaders Tom Ford and Donatella Versace. Alongside speeches from these and other industry luminaries, the conference's packed two-day program will include panel sessions on key topics such as how to overcome the challenges of doing business in Russia, how to successfully market products to Russia, with a specific focus on women, and how to get entry strategies into new markets right.

Moscow 2007: Supreme Luxury is sponsored by Emaar Properties, the International Fur Trade Federation, Salans, ArtCultureStudio, Elite Traveler - The Private Jet Lifestyle Magazine, Samsonite, Baugur Group, The Ritz-Carlton Moscow, Hong Kong International Airport and Alena Gorchakova.

For more information on the program and speaker list as it develops visit www.ihtluxury.com or email bhagerty@iht.com.

NOTES TO EDITORS:

About the International Herald Tribune (www.iht.com)

The International Herald Tribune is the premier international newspaper for opinion leaders and decision-makers around the globe. It combines the extensive resources of its own correspondents with those of The New York Times and is printed at 36 sites throughout the world, for sale in more than 180 countries. Based in Paris since 1887, the IHT is part of The New York Times Company.

About The New York Times Company

The New York Times Company (NYSE: NYT), a leading media company with 2006 revenues of $3.3 billion, includes The New York Times, the International Herald Tribune, The Boston Globe, 15 other daily newspapers, WQXR-FM and more than 30 Web sites, including NYTimes.com, Boston.com and About.com. The Company's core purpose is to enhance society by creating, collecting and distributing high-quality news, information and entertainment.

This press release can be downloaded from www.IHTinfo.com/press

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