February 12
USRA & FN PLATFORM PRESENT: A DAY FULL OF EDUCATION & NETWORKING
SELLING IS A PEOPLE THING
1:30PM – LVCC – ROOM S231
A must-attend sales session addressing how to build a great sales force, establish goals, train your team, and develop effective selling techniques.
Speaker:
Joe Salzano, VP Sales, The Clarks Companies
A VIEW FROM THE TOP
4:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S231
Presented by respected experts, an enlightening conversation on the future of footwear retailing: how they view the industry today and in the future, and how they are responding as vendors, retailers, and partners. A cocktail reception will directly follow the panel.
Vendor Panelists:
Gary Champion, President, Earth Brands
Rick Paterno, President, Jones Group
Jim Salzano, President, The Clarks Companies
Retail Panelists:
Gary Weiner, Owner, Saxon’s Shoes
Maurice Breton, Owner, Comfort One Shoes
Joe Gradia, Co-owner, Hawley Lane Shoes
Dave Astobiza, Co-owner, Sole Desire Shoes
Moderator:
Sam Poser, Managing Director, Sterne Agee
GLOBALIZING YOUR BRAND: SELLING OVERSEAS IN TODAY’S WORLD
3:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Cosponsored by American Apparel & Footwear Association and Bureau Veritas
Exclusive insights and strategies for managing risk while achieving growth via international expansion, joint ventures, licensing deals, mergers and acquisitions, and the launching of retail stores and distribution outlets — led by industry experts who have successfully navigated the global maze.
Panelists:
Rick Darling, President, Li & Fung USA
Stanley Silverstein, EVP of International Strategy & Business Development, The Warnaco Group Inc.
Tom Travis, Managing Partner, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg
Moderator:
Rick Horwitch, VP, Solutions Business Development & Marketing, Bureau Veritas, Consumer Products Services
February 13th
WELCOME NEW STORES… SHOW-FLOOR ABC’S
8:00AM – LVCC – NORTH HALL BUYERS’ SUITE – ROOM 81628
All the insider information needed to ensure a successful buying experience, including show-floor layout, day-to-day scheduling and time maximization tips, buying advice, and a review of MAGIC events.
Speaker:
Mercedes Gonzalez, Director, Global Purchasing Companies
AAFA PRESENTS: THE “DYNAMIC” INTERNET: GROWING TRAFFIC AND REVENUE BY REDUCING RISK AND MANAGING CHANGE
8:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S231
Apparel and footwear powerhouses detail how they mitigate digital risk and grow their e-commerce channels while protecting their brands online — plus exclusive foresight on the effects of 2013’s domain-naming system expansion.
Panelists:
Brian Winterfeldt, Esq., Partner, Steptoe & Johnson LLP
Eric Mueller, Director, Global Anti-Counterfeiting, Levi Strauss & Co.
Leah Evert-Burks, Director of Brand Protection, Deckers Outdoor Corporation
Moderator:
Frederick Felman, Chief Marketing Officer, MarkMonitor
UNITY: COLOR & COMPANY FOR SPRING/SUMMER 2013
10:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S230
Encouraged by the continuation of strong color statements, an examination of how color is spreading into new end-uses and connecting to material, shape, and form in a much more integral way — and how it will play in terms of finish, fabric, and form for Spring/Summer 2013.
Speaker:
Laurie Pressman, VP, Fashion, Home + Interiors, Pantone LLC
HOW TO OPEN AND RUN A SUCCESSFUL RETAIL STORE
10:30AM – LVCC – NORTH HALL BUYERS’ SUITE – ROOM 81628
A value-intensive session helping retailers avoid the mistakes that so often close a store before it can even get started: tricks of the trade covering location, buying, private labeling, retail math, merchandising, terms, and the sales team.
Speaker:
Mercedes Gonzalez, Director, Global Purchasing Companies
SOURCING’S NEW ISSUES
10:30AM – LVCC – ROOM S229
An in-depth dialogue addressing 2012’s new challenges for sourcing executives: proven strategies for handling the uncertainty facing brands, retailers, and manufacturers, while preparing a business’s global value chain for the future.
Speakers:
Kris Arabia, Director of Sourcing and Technical Design, The Walt Disney Company
Pam Y. Hunter, VP Sourcing, JC Penney Purchasing Corp.
Kasey Mazzone, Senior VP Sourcing, Lands’ End
Moderator:
Julie Hughes, President, U.S. Association of Importers of Textile and Apparel
THE DONEGER GROUP PRESENTS: MEN’S EUROPEAN DESIGNER SHOW FALL/WINTER 2012
11:00AM – MBCC – LAGOONS J, K (2nd FLOOR)
An expert analysis of the Milan and Paris Men’s Fall/Winter runways, highlighting actionable product and merchandising ideas, top trendsetting talents, and all the news from the most influential designers in the world of menswear.
Speaker:
David Wolfe, Creative Director, Doneger Creative Services
EBAY FASHION: HOW TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS ON THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMMERCE PLATFORM
11:30AM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
Nicolas Franchet, Senior Director of eBay Fashion U.S., shares strategic insights on how sellers of all sizes, including both brands and retailers, can leverage the global power of eBay to provide a seamless shopping experience, market inventory, and drive incremental sales.
Speaker:
Nicolas Franchet, Senior Director, eBay Fashion U.S.
ZERO TO SIXTY: HOW TO TAKE YOUR LINE FROM IDEA TO SALE
11:30AM – LVCC – ROOM S230
Hosted by AFINGO
A comprehensive session on setting realistic expectations, defining a target market, costing a line, sourcing domestic/overseas factories, and taking the next step by assessing buyer needs, as well as understanding the pros and cons of sales representatives and distributors.
Speaker:
Liza Deyrmenjian, CEO and Founder, AFINGO.com and SHOPTOKO.com
WHERE IS INTERNET RETAIL HEADED? GLOBAL, MOBILE, FLASH, AND BEYOND
12:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Top e-tailers share solution-based information for profiting from this retailing mega-trend: the challenges of taking a site global and linking into social and mobile, the necessity of evolving beyond fashion, brand protection and Internet theft, flash sales, and whether membership-club status remains relevant.
Speakers:
Fred Mossler, NO TITLE, Zappos.com
Yona Shtern, CEO, BeyondtheRack.com
Matt Edelman, CEO, ThisNext.com
Moderator:
Barbara Ende, President, Sycamore Marketing Group Inc.
BUILDING A BRAND: MARKET NICHE, BRAND PROTECTION ISSUES, AND SALES STARTING FROM GROUND ZERO
1:30PM – LVCC – ROOM S230
A highly practical panel discussion covering the many aspects involved in creating a recognizable international brand, including new developments in global brand protection and critical copyright issues.
Panelists:
Bryan Kang, Founder & CEO, Rhapsody Clothing
Farah Bhatti, Co-chair & Shareholder, Buchalter Nemer
Alicia Estrada, Founder & Designer, Stop Staring
Gabriel Guez, My Tribe
Moderator:
Frances Harder, Founder, Fashion Business Incorporated and Author, Fashion for Profit
DENIM’S NEXT WAVE
1:30PM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
Global authorities divulge their visions for the future of denim, as this wardrobe staple continuously evolves to address a transitioning environment and ever-changing consumer.
Speakers:
Barry Miguel, President, 7 For All Mankind
Wayne Shulick, CEO, Denim Habit
Moderator:
Barbara Ende, President, Sycamore Marketing Group Inc.
FAST FASHION WITHOUT COMPROMISE
2:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Retail authority James Schwartz outlines his company’s unique approach to meeting consumer needs through collaborative partnerships with customers, vendors, factories, and everyone in between — delivering valuable wisdom on how this approach has kept MGF on the forefront of fashion for nearly 40 years without compromising the quality of the end product.
Keynote Speaker:
James Schwartz, President & CEO, Mast Global Fashions
Moderator:
Katherine Stein, SGS Consumer Testing Service, Softlines
International Business Development/Softlines Sales
THE DONEGER GROUP PRESENTS: WOMEN’S FALL/WINTER 2012 BIG PICTURE
3:00PM – LVCC – ROOM N231 – N237
Insights on the big-picture ideas affecting the future of trends and design in our ever-evolving world, including a guide to the key colors, textiles, and styles for the coming season.
Speaker:
David Wolfe, Creative Director, Doneger Creative Services
SPRING/SUMMER 2013 TREND FORECAST AND COLOR DIRECTION FOR MEN AND WOMEN
3:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S230
Respected trend expert Lilly Berelovich reviews the major callouts for Spring/Summer 2013, including key themes, materials, shapes, and patterns — along with a discussion on significant seasonal colors, harmonies, and emersion from fall. Note: See more of reviewed trends at SOURCING’s Trend Gallery, created by Fashion Snoops.
Speaker:
Lilly Berelovich, Founder & Chief Creative Officer, Fashion Snoops
SOLOMO: MARKETING’S NEW BUZZ
3:30PM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
A panel discussion enabling retailers and brands to better understand and implement new tools — such as social, mobile, and local — to reach consumers, focus branding strategies, and increase market share.
Panelists:
Jason Ross, CEO, Jacktreads.com — e-commerce affiliate of Thrillist.com
Daniel Saynt, VP Marketing, Rebecca Minkoff and CEO, Socialyte
Josh Levine, Founder, RebelIndustries.com
Moderator:
Jaclyn Johnson, Co-founder, ThereIsNoSubject.com
CHINA, THE DRAGON IN TRANSITION: SOURCING FROM AND SELLING TO THE WORLD’S APPAREL GIANT
3:30PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Experts present overviews on the dynamic evolution of China as a sourcing destination and consumer mega-market, along with sharing strategies on how U.S. fashion brands and retail chains can enter and develop this business.
Speakers:
Josh Green, CEO, Panjiva
Renee Hartmann, Founder, China Luxury Network
Moderator:
Katherine Stein, SGS Consumer Testing Service, Softlines
International Business Development/Softlines Sales
February 14
STERNE AGEE BREAKFAST SERIES SEMINAR: BOOTS, TRENDS, AND INVENTORY LEVELS
8:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Experts from one of the oldest privately held financial firms in the U.S. provide valuable insights and an informative, thought-provoking business discussion on planning for Fall 2012.
Panelists:
Tarak Hassan, Owner, The Tannery
Diane Sullivan, CEO, Brown Shoe Company
Beth Goldstein, Senior Category Specialist Fashion Footwear & Accessories, The NPD Group, Inc.
Pat Devaney, SVP, Stella International
Abe Rogowsky, Owner, Shoe Parlor
Moderator:
Sam Poser, Managing Director, Sterne Agee
EXPORTING TO INCREASE INTERNATIONAL SALES: WHAT TO KNOW WHEN TAKING THIS IMPORTANT STEP
9:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S230
Exploring markets, funding options, agents, logistics, and international laws, a panel examining the many components that must be clearly understood to export U.S. products profitably.
Panelists:
Ken Wengrod, Executive Chair, FTC Commercial Corporation
Farah Bhatti, Co-chair & Shareholder, Buchalter Nemer
Moderator:
Frances Harder, Founder, Fashion Business Incorporated and Author, Fashion for Profit
CONSUMER TRENDS & TECHNOLOGY
10:00AM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
A review of the compelling relationship between consumerism and technology: growth and expected evolution, international retail impact, and forecasted design directives, as well as focused discussions on adapting to social media, the rise of online video, virtual stylists, rapid prototyping, brand personalization, and user-driven content — aimed at ensuring that messaging and activities meet fast-morphing consumer demands.
Speaker:
Renee Labbe, SVP Global Trends, Stylesight
EBAY FASHION: HOW TO BUILD YOUR BUSINESS ON THE WORLD’S LARGEST COMMERCE PLATFORM
10:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Nicolas Franchet, Senior Director of eBay Fashion U.S., shares strategic insights on how sellers of all sizes, including both brands and retailers, can leverage the global power of eBay to provide a seamless shopping experience, market inventory, and drive incremental sales.
Speaker:
Nicolas Franchet, Senior Director, eBay Fashion U.S.
BOOSTING BRAND IMAGE: CELEBRITIES AND FASHION MARKETING
11:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S230
Passing along advice gleaned from partnering with celebrities like Angelina Jolie and Halle Berry as well as hundreds of fashion brands, Susan J. Ashbrook shares her behind-the-scenes tips for creating and executing a celebrity marketing strategy and getting brands noticed on the red carpet, screen, or Web.
Speaker:
Susan J. Ashbrook, Author, Will Work for Shoes and Founder, Film Fashion PR
THE FUTURE: FASHION ON THE CUSP OF A NEW ERA
11:30AM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
CEO George Feldenkreis reflects on the future of fashion and the effect of key factors, including an understanding of the new global marketplace, the impact of the Internet and social media on the consumer, and sourcing strategies of the coming decade.
Keynote Speaker:
George Feldenkreis, CEO, Perry Ellis International
Moderator:
Tom Travis, Managing Partner, Sandler, Travis & Rosenberg
CREATING THE ULTIMATE SALES TEAM: TRAINING SOLUTIONS FOR AN A-LIST STYLE STAFF
12:00PM – LVCC – NORTH HALL BUYERS’ SUITE – ROOM 81628
First-hand information on finding, interviewing, and training an expert staff — including proven pointers for motivating staff members, skyrocketing job satisfaction, creating a positive atmosphere, and most importantly, making sales.
Speaker:
Mercedes Gonzalez, Director, Global Purchasing Companies
TRADE NEGOTIATIONS AND FTA UPDATES: WHAT COMPANIES NEED TO KNOW AND HOW TO STAY INVOLVED
12:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Critical advice on developing a trade policy strategy: how companies can stay involved in government affairs, influence the ongoing Trans-Pacific Partnership negotiations, and keep abreast of other current issues — plus, an in-depth profile of the new Free Trade Agreements with Colombia, Panama, and Korea.
Speakers:
Helga Ying, Director of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Levi Strauss & Co.
Jon Fee, Partner, Alston & Bird
Won Sok Yun, Director General, Kotra LA
Moderator:
Julie Hughes, President, U.S. Association of Importers of Textile and Apparel
WGSN MACRO TRENDS: SPRING/SUMMER 2013
1:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S230
WGSN presents the macro trends for Spring/Summer 2013 and explores how they will play out for womenswear, menswear, footwear, and accessories.
Speaker:
Sally Lohan, Head of Content & Forecasting, WGSN
HOW DO, AND MORE IMPORTANTLY, HOW WILL MEN SHOP THE INTERNET?
1:30PM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
A first-person perspective from Bonobos.com CEO Andy Dunn detailing his thoughts on e-tailing, the next generation of e-commerce sites, male e-shopper behavior, and the impact of social media on everyone involved in the fashion industry.
Keynote Speaker:
Andy Dunn, CEO, Bonobos.com
MOBILE COMMERCE AND CONSUMER ATTITUDES: A CONVERSATION WITH GLOBAL BRAND LEADERS
2:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
A seminar revealing the results of NPD’s study on mobile shopping behavior, conducted via a panel of nearly two million American consumers, and insights on how the findings will affect mobile commerce and the retail atmosphere — plus an exploration of eBay’s real-world experiences in the mobile commerce space.
Speakers:
Marshal Cohen, Chief Industry Analyst, The NPD Group
Miriam Lahage, Global Head, eBay Fashion Brand
THE EVOLUTION OF RETAIL AND THE RISE OF THE CONNECTED SHOPPER
3:00PM – LVCC – ROOM S230
An in-depth examination of the new generation of digitally-minded connected consumers and what they expect from their shopping experience — along with insights on the evolution of traditional brick-and-mortar establishments and how they can incorporate social media and in-store technology.
Speaker:
Jamie Gutfreund, Director of Business Development, The Intelligence Group — a division of CAA
IMPACT YOUR FASHION WORLD: ACTION = CREATIVITY
3:15PM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
Based on the fashion industry’s ability to affect the lives of workers and consumers around the world, proactive entrepreneurs share strategies for helping companies of all sizes improve the lives of people and protect the environment in the U.S. and overseas.
Speakers:
Kavita Karmar, Founder and Creative Director, The IOU Project
Sean Carasso, Founder, Falling Whistles
Moderator:
Barbara Ende, President, Sycamore Marketing Group Inc
BRANDING AND PROTECTING YOUR CREATIONS FOR MARKET IMPACT
3:30PM – LVCC – ROOM S229
Speakers from the world of consumer goods present the nuts and bolts of protecting people and companies from today’s widespread counterfeiting, both at home and around the globe.
Speakers:
Deborah Greaves, Secretary & General Counsel, True Religion
William Legion, CEO, Hahn Estates/Smith & Hook Winery of Napa
Alison Grabell, Head of Trademark and Copyright Practice Group, Ezra Brutzkus Gubner LLP
Moderator:
David LaRiviere, Attorney at Law, LaRiviere, Grubman & Payne
HOW TO START A FASHION LINE ON A SHOESTRING BUDGET
5:00PM – MBCC – BREAKERS L
Industry veteran Mercedes Gonzalez enlightens attendees as to why there hasn’t been a better time in 20 years to launch a fashion line — as well as delivering key information on outsourcing, financing, managing risk, and most inspiringly, how it can be done on a shoestring budget.
Speaker:
Mercedes Gonzalez, Director, Global Purchasing Companies
February 15
E-COMMERCE BOOTCAMP: TAKE YOUR FASHIONS ONLINE IN JUST 60 MINUTES
10:00AM – LVCC – ROOM S229
For Internet newcomers or retailers looking to improve their current sites, e-commerce drill sergeant Matt Winn conducts a crash course in opening an online store and reaching millions of shoppers around the world — including advice on Web design, marketing, and much, much more.
Speaker:
Matt Winn, Social Media Manager, Volusion
