Sponsors

About MasterCard Worldwide
MasterCard Worldwide advances global commerce by providing a critical economic link among financial institutions, businesses, cardholders and merchants worldwide. As a franchisor, processor and advisor, MasterCard develops and markets payment solutions, processes approximately 21 billion transactions each year, and provides industry-leading analysis and consulting services to financial-institution customers and merchants. Powered by the MasterCard Worldwide Network and through its family of brands, including MasterCard®, Maestro® and Cirrus®, MasterCard serves consumers and businesses in more than 210 countries and territories. For more information go to www.mastercard.com.

About MasterCard Europe
MasterCard Europe is the entity responsible for managing MasterCard Worldwides business in Europe, for Europe. With headquarters in Waterloo, Belgium, MasterCard Europe works in 51 European countries, stretching as far afield as the eastern border of Russia. Through its network of local offices, MasterCard Europe can understand and meet the diverse needs of customers in the very different types of markets throughout Europe, enabling people to do business in their own way in their own language.

Michel Dyens & Co. is a leading independent investment banking firm focused on mergers and acquisitions. With headquarters in New York and Paris, Michel Dyens & Co. has closed numerous landmark deals in luxury and upscale brands. Michel Dyens & Co. acted as exclusive financial advisor in such luxury goods deals as the ultra-premium Grey Goose vodka brand, Harry Winston, Boucheron, and many others.

Whether you are looking to buy, build, or charter a yacht, Camper & Nicholsons are the world leading authority in every aspect of the superyacht industry. Operating from a worldwide network of offices, Camper & Nicholsons has five divisions that work hand-in-hand to provide a professional service in all aspects of brokerage, management and new construction, charter, charter management and crew placement. Aboard all of the superyachts in CNIs sales and charter fleet, from the performance sailing yachts to the new breed of megayachts for a large family or corporate entertainment, there are elements on offer beyond mouth watering cuisine, exemplary service, diverse destinations and world class accommodation.

KPMG is a global network of member firms delivering audit, tax and advisory services through our 137,000 professionals in 144 countries. With an established Luxury Goods Practice comprising professionals dedicated to this highly specialised sector, KPMG firms have the knowledge, insights, skills and resources to help your business.

Pictet Asset Management (PAM) is the institutional asset management arm of Pictet & Cie, one of the leading independent asset managers in Europe. Founded in 1805, Pictet & Cie is fully owned by eight partners.
PAM currently manages over USD125 billion of institutional assets, sourced from clients worldwide. These clients include pension funds, mutual funds, financial institutions and family offices.

NetJets Europe is the largest business jet company in Europe. With over 150 aircraft, NetJets Europe operates four times as many aircraft as the next largest business aviation company and flies its 1600 customers to more than 5000 airports worldwide.
 
Launched in 1996 and backed by Warren Buffetts Berkshire Hathaway group, the company transformed the concept of business aviation in Europe. The business model  based on fractional ownership of an aircraft - allows individuals and companies to enjoy the convenience and flexibility of owning a private jet at a fraction of the cost.
 
As the only pan-European business jet operator with its own dedicated fleet, NetJets Europe is uniquely capable of delivering a world-class service with an unrivalled commitment to quality and safety. Safety is the number one priority for NetJets Europe and the company is always investing to ensure its training and safety programmes lead the industry.

Sands Retail Asia is responsible for the luxury malls in Las Vegas Sands Corp.s Asian integrated resort developments. Distinguished by their unrivalled collection of brands, the companys portfolio: Macaos The Shoppes at Four Seasons and The Grand Canal Shoppes, will expand in late 2009 with the opening of Marina Bay Sands Shoppes in Singapore.

Almax, leading trademark in the production of mannequins and display articles with forty years experience in the market, supplies 100% Made in Italy certified products employing the most advanced eco-compatible technologies, in full respect of the environment and its workers health, everything dressed up with its unmistakable glamorous touch.

Martens & Heads! is a boutique executive search firm serving the needs of image-driven brands in the fashion, luxury, retail, e-tail, and beauty industries. Our global network allows us to build partnerships with our clients to Search with Imagination" to find the brightest talent available in todays market.

"Because your location must be as exclusive as your brand"
 
For three decades, Metropole's principals have advised luxury brands on leasing and acquiring unattainable flagships in the world's most prominent locations.   
 
Metropole's featured property is 681 Fifth Avenue- an exquisite showroom building with 14 foot ceilings and views of New York City's Central Park and Rockefeller Centre.

Wound Media is a global company with focus on print, digital and mobile. The new issue of its primary publication, Wound Magazine is launched in June across print (Wound Quarterly), online (Wound Digital) and mobile (iWound). At woundmedia.com you will be able to see the future of magazines for your laptop and mobile. This is the launch of the world's biggest fashion, art, architecture and design title - these products are available to over a 100 million global audience. This is one of the world's most dynamic and exciting media companies - pioneering in their field with platforms, which deliver quality reader enjoyment and uniquely developed content across fashion, art, architecture and design.

createthe group is the digital commerce leader for the world's most elite brands.  The company delivers luxury experiences online through its unique combination of interactive agency services, a flexible e-commerce platform, and premier fulfillment and customer service solutions.  Headquartered in New York City with offices in London and Milan, createthe groups clients include Bulgari, Burberry, Calvin Klein, David Yurman, Dunhill, Fendi, La Perla, Louis Vuitton, Marc Jacobs, The New York Times, Tom Ford and Topman.  For more information, please visit www.createthegroup.com or email info@createthegroup.com.