From the Chairman ...

No Rest for Luxury Marketers ... Even in the Summer

To be honest, we were hoping for a respite during the summer months, an opportunity to catch up on the housekeeping, return calls and luxuriate in some downtime in order to plan for the year ahead. Thankfully, it wasn't meant to be.

Baker a Big Hit at the Brewery

The July program featuring Dick Baker from Premium Knowledge Group was one of our strongest ever. Dick, who is one of the nation’s most incisive analysts of the luxury marketplace, addressed an audience of more than one hundred members and guests at the Anchor Steam Brewery. The effects of an unusually hot summer day were mitigated by the chill of fresh Anchor Steam ale flowing freely from the spigots. Dick's address held the audience's captive attention with fresh and unique insights regarding the personality and buying behavior of the luxury customer. Furious note taking became the evening's mantra. If you were unable to attend, Dick's PowerPoint notes are posted in Luxe Notes. Incidentally, we have been advised that some Council members are unable to access restricted sections of the www.luxesf.com site because of sensitive security settings or firewalls. If you're experiencing similar difficulties, please let me know and we'll have our technical support team provide assistance in solving the problem.

New Members by the Handful

We are proud and honored to welcome a slate of seven new members to the Council this month including the newly-launched Benefit Magazine, catering exclusively to the not-for-profit community, the Design District Marketing Alliance, a consortium comprised of ten prominent members of the San Francisco Design Center, leading East Bay luxury publication Diablo Magazine, hospitality leader, Kimpton Hotels and Restaurants Group, the San Francisco Chamber of Commerce representing the city’s business community-at-large, the ever-popular observer of the city's luxury scene, San Francisco Magazine, and Techlinea, the electronic architecture design firm that integrates lighting design and home management technology.

What's Happening in Other Chapters?

Global Chairman, Greg Furman, has been retained by American Express to consult on an important series of "Inside the Affluent Space" studies in Amex's Asia-Pacific region.

The New York Chapter has launched a "Conversations with Leaders in Luxury" program in conjunction with member Steinway & Sons.

As an added feature for SF Council members who travel frequently, LuxeSF Magazine will soon commence reporting details and dates of events in other Council chapters, primarily Atlanta, Boston, Dallas, New York and London. Stay tuned for details.

Luxe Insights

As LuxeSF Magazine continues to grow, more and more people are turning to the Chapter's publication for information, member news and knowledge. From time to time, we will include articles from leading luxury marketers, beginning with this month's Luxe Insights column contributed by interior design consultants, Lloyd Princeton and Ruth Ann Barrett.

Don't Forget the Event Calendar

We've now fleshed out the programs calendar through October, 2007 with a number of exciting new additions. And not to be forgotten is the August 30th program, "Marketing to the Asian-Pacific Luxury Buyer" which has already received a record number of RSVPs. Please hit the RSVP button if you plan to attend.

Luxe Regards,

Alf Nucifora
Chairman
The Luxury Marketing Council of San Francisco