The Condé Nast Luxury Conference, to be held in Oman on April 5-6, 2017, has been dubbed as a new chapter in the development of Oman’s luxury, fashion and retail industries. Key bodies in the event, that is one of the most significant marketing efforts taking part in Oman this year, include Ministry of Tourism, Omran and Oman Air.
The Conference, which is being held in the Middle East for the first time, ticks all the boxes of premium and luxury, and targets the most affluent travelers and fashionistas in the markets, setting an ideal platform to match the Sultanate’s niche tourism market.
Themed ‘Mindful Luxury – Navigating the new Silk Routes’, the conference will be held at the Shangri-La Barr Al Jissah Resort & Spa. The two-day conference will bring a diverse mix of business and creative leaders from across the world to Muscat, to explore the changing concept of ‘luxury’ and the future of the fashion and luxury retail industry.
The event comes in partnership with Saraya Bandar Jissah, Omantel, Bank Muscat, Oman Airports Management Company and Muscat Duty Free, bringing Oman’s tourism players in place to attract decision makers in today’s luxury fashion and design industry along with a network of journalists.
In cooperation with the Condé Nast Foundation, the Conference sponsors aim to highlight the culture and history of Oman, and to utilize the Conference’s global platform to promote the Sultanate as a major mindful luxury and tourism destination. Through working with local Omani organizations for the preparation of the conference, as well as upskilling Omani workforce, the sponsors will facilitate a number of activities and specialized workshops alongside the main conference.
The conference will open with a keynote address by His Excellency Sayyid Badr bin Hamad bin Hamoud Al Busaidi, Secretary General of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Dignitaries, celebrities and pioneers of the world of luxury, elegance and fashion design will include Suzy Menkes, International Vogue Editor; HRH Princess Deena Al Juhani Abdulaziz, Editor in Chief of Vogue Arabia; global designers Elie Saab, Manish Arora, Huda Kattan, and the rising Omani designer Amal Al Raisi, as well as a wide range of celebrated personalities such as the leading Hollywood director James Lima.
His Excellency Mohsin bin Khamis Al Balushi, Advisor at the Ministry of Commerce and Industry, and Board Member of Oman Air and Chairman of the Preparatory Committee stated, “The opening of the Condé Nast Luxury Conference in Muscat is an exciting opportunity to showcase Oman’s diversity, authenticity and creativity to global business audiences, while inspiring future generations of Omani business and creative leaders. With our incredible natural beauty, safe, welcoming and creative culture, Oman offers a unique destination perfectly suited for international business and creative leaders, to come together to discuss how to grow the global luxury industry into the 21st Century.”
Eng Saif Al Hinai, Acting Chief Executive Officer of Omran added, “As a gateway between the East and the West, Oman has embodied mindful luxury approaches for generations. This globally renowned conference will bring together many of the world’s leaders in fashion and luxury, and will provide unprecedented exposure and connections for Omani companies, SME’s and entrepreneurs, that will launch a new chapter in the development of our nation’s own luxury, fashion and retail industries. We are pleased to welcome the Condé Nast Luxury Conference to Oman, which is a key example of how our partners are working together to promote and invest in country’s vast growing potential”
“We are delighted to be partnering on this unique event not only for the global luxury industry, but also in terms of providing a platform to showcase Oman in such an important area of international trade and creativity. This industry has no limitations and is open to all – particularly the country’s youth. The fact that Condé Nast has chosen Muscat to hold the Conference is an important endorsement of Oman as a pioneer for mindful luxury – and we can maximize the country’s potential as a hub for creative and luxury business,” said Paul Gregorowitsch, Chief Executive Officer of Oman Air.
