Practical Information

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Wednesday November 12th

09:30 am: Meeting point at The Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel and departure for store visits

09:30 am – 10:00 am: Transit to store

10:00 am – 11:30 am: Sogo Causeway Bay opening ceremony and visit 

Guides: Mr Sawada Shinji, Store Manager; Ms Michelle Tsang, Deputy Store Manager

Meeting point: SOGO Causeway Bay main entrance, 555 Hennessy Road

11:30 am – 12:00 pm: Transit to IFC Mall

12:00 pm – 01:00 pm: Lunch break 

Location: Shake Shack, IFC Mall, Shop 4018, Podium Level 4

01:00 pm – 02:15 pm: IFC Mall visit 

Guide: Ms Crystal Chan, Assistant General Manager, Retail Leasing IFC

02:15 pm – 02:45 pm: Transfer to SOGO Kai Tak offices, 18/F function meeting room, SOGO Kai Tak Store, Tower I, The Twins, 12 Concorde Road

02:45 pm  – 03:00 pm: Opening remarks & welcome speech

Speakers:  Ms Kamshim Lau, CEO, Sogo, and President of the IADS

Mr Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, Managing Director, IADS

03:00 pm – 04:00 pm: IADS Academy. 

Speakers: IADS Academy 2025 cohort

• Academy 2025 Topic: How to become a better merchant

04:00 pm – 04:30 pm: Coffee break

04:30 pm – 06:00 pm: IADS CEOs conversation

(Questions collected from participants)

06:00 pm – 07:00 pm: IADS General Assembly (video conference with distant members). 

Speaker: Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, Managing Director, IADS

• 2025 results & achievements
• 2026 plan & budget

07:00 pm – 08:00 pm: IADS CEO Roundtable (video conference with distant members). 

Topic: Update on each member's situation and current topics

08:00 pm – onwards: Cocktails and Dinner. 

Location: Sakana Hibi Restaurant, Shop 1204, 12/F, SOGO Kai Tak Store, Tower I, The Twins 

(Academy joining)

Thursday November 13th

08:30 am: Meeting point at The Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel

08:30 am – 08:45 am: Transit to SOGO Kai Tak offices, 18/F function meeting room, SOGO Kai Tak Store, Tower I, The Twins, 12 Concorde Road

08:45 am – 09:45 am: Crisis management workshop – How prepared are IADS CEOs?

Speakers: Evgeniy Mamay (TSUM Kiyv), Luis Iturriaga (Beco), moderated by Anchita Ranka (IADS)

09:45 am – 11:15 am: “New China: new opportunities, new threats” 

Speaker: David Baverez, Store Manager, Investor and Writer

(Academy joining)

11:15 am – 11:35 am: Introduction to SOGO 

Speakers: Mr Sawada Shinji, Store Manager; Ms Michelle Tsang, Deputy Store Manager    

(Academy joining)

11:35 am – 11:45 am: Transit to lunch break at SOGO Café

(Academy joining)

11:45 am – 12:45 pm: Lunch break 

Location: SOGO Café, Shop 06, 1/F, SOGO Kai Tak Store, Tower I, The Twins

(Academy joining) 

01:00 pm – 02:30 pm: SOGO Kai Tak and SND visit 

Guides: Mr Sawada Shinji, Store Manager; Ms Michelle Tsang, Deputy Store Manager  

(Academy joining)

02:30 pm-02:40 pm: Transit to 18/F function meeting room, SOGO Kai Tak Store, Tower I, The Twins, 12 Concorde Road

02:40 pm – 03:25 pm: Introduction to Giordano

Speaker: Mr James Reynolds, Director Global Retail Excellence and GM HK and Macau

(Academy joining)

03:25 pm – 04:10 pm: Introduction to REDNote

Speakers: Ms Dodo Kwong, Regional Head of Asia, Global Business Solutions; Mr Stephen Wong, Head of Industry for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, Global Business Solutions

(Academy joining)

04:10 pm – 04:30 pm: Transit to K11 Mall

04:30 pm – 05:00 pm: K11 Presentation

Speakers: TBC

(Academy joining)

05:00 pm - 6:15 pm: K11 Mall visit

Guide: TBC

(Academy joining)

06:15 pm – 06:45 pm: Transfer to Kai Tak Twin Tower II, SNDO mall

06:45 pm – 07:25 pm: Kai Tak Twin Tower II, SNDO mall visit

Guides:  Ms Kamshim Lau, CEO, Sogo

Mr Jackie Wong, Senior Leasing Manager, Sogo

(Academy joining)

07:25 pm-07:30 pm: Walk to the restaurant

07:30 pm-onward: CEO private reception on the invitation of Mr Thomas Lau

Location: LUNA (Airside), Shop L301-L302, 3/F, AIRSIDE, 2 Concorde Road

General information

• Antitrust Guidelines

Guest speakers*

Ms Crystal Chan, Assistant General Manager, International Finance Centre Management Co., Ltd (IFC HK)

Crystal Chan is a seasoned real estate and property management professional with over two decades of experience in the industry. She currently serves as Assistant General Manager, responsible for retail leasing, strategic planning, and organisational development.

Crystal began her tenure at IFC in 2007, progressively advancing through roles including Manager of Retail Leasing, Senior Manager, and now Assistant General Manager since June 2020. Her deep expertise in commercial leasing and stakeholder engagement has played a pivotal role in shaping the company’s retail portfolio and operational excellence.

Prior to joining IFC, Crystal held leasing and management roles at MegaBox Development Co. Ltd and Hang Lung Properties, Limited, where she managed office and industrial properties. Crystal holds a Master’s degree in Business and Technology from the University of New South Wales (UNSW).

Mr David Baverez, Investor and Writer

A graduate of the HEC Business School and of the INSEAD MBA Programme, David worked for Fidelity Investments (1995-2005) where he was in charge of various European and Global Equity funds. In 2005, he set up his own investment company. At the end of 2010, he took the contrarian step to return all funds to his investors, anticipating future European sovereign issues.

After fifteen years spent between London and Boston, he has lived in Hong Kong since 2012, where he spends his time understanding the disruptions linked to the emergence of the New World Order, influenced by the rise of the « New China ».

David is a regular columnist in the French newspaper « L’Opinion » and authored « Welcome to the war economy ! » (Westphalia Press, 2025), « China & Europe : The Turning Point » (Westphalia Press, 2022), « Beijing express » (Westphalia Press, 2018) and « Generation Tonique – L’Occident est complètement à l’Ouest » (Plon, 2015),

Holder of  the Médaille d’Honneur of the Foreign Trade Advisors of France, he is a Member of the Advisory Board of the Paris-based think-tank Asia Centre and an Advisor to the Helsinki Geoeconomics Society.

Mr  Sawada Shinji, Store Manager, SOGO Hong Kong

With over four decades of experience in the retail industry, Shinji Sawada is a seasoned leader known for his deep commitment to Japanese retail heritage and his forward-thinking approach to market diversification. Since joining Chiba SOGO Co., Ltd. in 1981, Mr. Sawada has built a distinguished career that bridges tradition with innovation. In 1996, he transitioned to SOGO Hong Kong, where he played a pivotal role in expanding the brand’s appeal and transforming its stores into vibrant “one-stop shopping” destinations.
His leadership has been instrumental in curating a dynamic mix of product categories that cater to evolving customer preferences while preserving the essence of Japanese service excellence.

Ms Michelle Tsang, Deputy Store Manager, SOGO, Hong Kong

Michelle Tsang brings over 20 years of experience to SOGO Hong Kong, where she currently serves as Deputy Store Manager. Starting in the Sales Promotion Department, she led marketing and advertising efforts for 12 years before stepping into her current leadership role in 2012.
Michelle oversees sales, marketing, and operations, with a focus on Beauty, Jewellery & Watches, and Trendy & Casual departments. Michelle also plays a vital role in driving strategic initiatives and exploring new business opportunities to support the company’s continued growth.

Mr James Reynolds, Director Global Retail Excellence and General Manager Hong Kong & Macau, Giordano 

James D. Reynolds is a seasoned business transformation leader with over 25 years of international experience in omni-retail, across sports, fashion and prestige beauty brands. Based in Hong Kong, he is currently the Director of Global Retail and General Manager for Hong Kong & Macau at GIRODANO, leading global retail transformation across the brand portfolio including Giordano and Giordano Ladies. Previously Vice President of Retail Asia Pacific at The Estée Lauder Companies, he oversaw retail operations across 9 markets and over 2,800 stores, driving omni-retail innovation, and channel profitability. Earlier, he held senior roles at adidas Group, Thurley, and Pacific Brands, leading large-scale business transformations and P&L turnarounds. A Harvard Business School Leadership Principles graduate, James has also served on multiple regional leadership and diversity committees across Asia Pacific.

Ms Dodo Kwong, Regional Head of Asia, Global Business Solutions, Xiaohongshu (REDNote)

Dodo Kwong is a seasoned market launcher and digital marketing expert specialising in China and APAC expansion. With a background at tech giants Alibaba and Meituan, she has driven advertising sales and business growth in diverse markets. As the former Head of Hong Kong for an influencer marketing platform and now at Xiaohongshu, Dodo leverages her deep expertise in AdTech, influencer marketing, and strategic partnerships to help brands succeed. She is a dynamic leader passionate about entrepreneurship and new market entry.

Mr Stephen Wong, Head of Industry for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan, Global Business Solutions, Xiaohongshu (REDNote)

Stephen specialises in executing data-driven market expansion strategies that leverage the unique, community-powered ecosystem of Xiaohongshu.  With a deep-rooted expertise in the complex consumer landscapes of Greater China, Stephen empowers global and local brands to forge authentic connections with highly engaged audiences. His customer-centric methodology focuses on translating cultural insights and content trends into tangible business outcomes, driving market share growth, brand affinity, and conversions.

Additional information

To facilitate coordination with Sogo, we kindly ask you to inform us if you intend to participate in this event. Please provide us with your expected arrival date and time. 

On Tuesday, November 11th, according to your time of arrival, we will make restaurant recommendations and you are welcome to join if possible.

Transfers during the day will be taken care of by Sogo.

12th November 2025: Meeting address (the day starts at 9:30 am)

Meeting point at the Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel and departure for store visits.

The Sogo Causeway Bay visit starts at 10 am

13th November 2025: Meeting point (the day starts at 8:30 am)

Meeting point at the Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel and departure for store visits.

The meeting starts at 8:45 am at SOGO KAi Tak offices

Recommended hotel

We recommend you stay at:

Dorsett Kai Tak Hotel 

43 Shing Kai Rd, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

+852 3528 8288

We have negotiated rates: 

Single room: HK$ 1,400 + 13% VAT (breakfast included)

Double room: HK$ 1,550 + 13% VAT (breakfast included)

Please liaise with Christine Montard cmontard@iads.org for booking requests

Contacts

We remain at your disposal should you need any assistance in preparing your trip or during your stay.

As a kind reminder, here are the details of the IADS Team who will be present during the event:

Selvane Mohandas du Ménil, Managing Director, +33687324531, smohandas@iads.org

Christine Montard, Director of Markets & Events, +33645474514, cmontard@iads.org

Anchita Ranka, Head of Analysis and Prospectives, +33 7 67 92 42 44, aranka@iads.org