Day One

Day one of the three-day mission started with an Insights Briefing: a high-level thought-leadership event which provided local market knowledge from expert speakers on the political and economic outlook, the market for luxury in the US, and the retail and media landscapes. Speakers included Samantha Azzarello, J.P.Morgan; Marigay McKee, MM Luxe; James La Force, La Force Communications; Joel Stephen and Melina Cordero from CBRE.

We then moved to lunch, where we recognised Glenda Bailey OBE, editor in chief of Harper's Bazaar, for her exceptional support of British Luxury Overseas at a celebratory lunch at Hearst Tower. Dr Liam Fox, Secretary of State for International Trade and Investment; Frank A. Bennack Jr, Executive Vice Chairman and former CEO of Hearst; Antony Phillipson, the British Consul-General in New York; and delegates from Walpole’s US Trade Mission attended the event, which saw Glenda presented with a special Award crafted by Wedgwood.

The Right Honourable Liam Fox MP, Secretary of State for International Trade and President of the Board of Trade said: “UK luxury is a jewel in the crown of British businesses, generating more than £50 billion in sales annually and employing more than 113,000 people. The partnership between the GREAT Britain Campaign and Walpole is an excellent example of government and industry working together to increase exports as a proportion of GDP to 35% as set out in our ambitious Export Strategy.  I look forward to the commercial outcomes of DIT’s continued partnership with Walpole and its member companies.”

The iconic Spring Studios was the location for the final event of day one: an evening drinks reception and panel discussion, with cocktails created by Walpole's drinks partner Royal Salute. The event provided a space for the Walpole delegation and guests from Spring Place to meet and network, and also featured a  conversation on Interpreting Contemporary British Luxury with panellists Andreas Neophytou, ECD Spring Studios; Helen Brocklebank, CEO of Walpole; Mark Johnson, CEO of Molton Brown; Mark Harvey, MD of Chapel Down; and moderated by James Fallow from WWD.

The trade delegation is taking place in partnership with the GREAT Britain campaign and the UK’s Department for International Trade which promotes UK trade and investment to a global marketplace and is supported by New West End Company which represents over 600 business in London's West End and Mayfair.

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