Kathy Ireland, chief designer and CEO of Kathy Ireland Worldwide (KIWW) will be the featured keynote speaker at The JCK Show ~ Las Vegas 2005. Ireland’s address, titled “The Power of Branding: Building Success Through Key Strategies,” will take place Friday at 8:30 a.m.

“We are honored that Kathy Ireland agreed to provide this year’s featured keynote,” says Dave Bonaparte, vice president of The JCK Shows. “Kathy is an amazing leader both in the world of fashion and big business. Her ability to seamlessly transition into the boardroom is nothing short of miraculous.

“We realize that her success in differentiating her brand and building one of the strongest brand presences in the competitive world of fashion is directly applicable to our retail attendees,” Bonaparte adds. “The growth and survival of an industry depends on thinking outside of the box and finding alternative avenues and opportunities to extend one’s brand presence. Kathy has proven time and time again that she has the power to make that happen.”

“I am thrilled to be part of The JCK Show in Las Vegas,” says Ireland. “It’s truly a wonderful event that encourages us to connect, communicate, inform, and inspire one another. I look forward to sharing and learning with leaders who are passionate about life, family and business.”

Ireland began her career as a supermodel appearing on covers of top-shelf magazines, including Glamour, Cosmopolitan, Harper’s Bazaar and Sports Illustrated. She launched Kathy Ireland Worldwide in 1993 with her designer sock collection. She has since expanded her brand to include fashion, apparel, jewelry, home, and office collections. According to the country’s leading research firm, Kurt Salmon Associates, the Kathy Ireland brand is recognized as the No. 1 brand in its Product Innovation in America category.

When Ireland began her company 12 years ago, her mission was “finding solutions for families, especially busy moms.” Her home design products, which number more than 10,000 pieces, include furniture, flooring, rugs, lighting, wall art, decorative accessories, home office and home theatre, table top, bedding, top of bed, and window coverings.

Ireland’s Home Collection received Best of Market honors and the Good Housekeeping Seal. Her outdoor living efforts earned the Gold Medal at the San Francisco Flower & Garden Show. She is also the recipient of Outstanding Mother of the Year honors from the National Mother’s Day Committee and has been honored for her entrepreneurial efforts by the National Association of Women Business Owners and National Association of Business Leaders. She is on the board of directors for the Tupelo Furniture Marketing Association and is a member of Women in the Home Industries Today. For more information, please visit www.kathyireland.com.

JCK