New York City is one of the global epicenters of retail and fashion and two new shows, one geared towards enhancing a company’s brand and the other serving the women’s luxury apparel market, are set to launch in the Big Apple.

Emerald Expositions, through its IR Events Group division, is launching IRCE Focus: Brands & B2B May 18-20 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center.

At the show, attendees will have the opportunity to exchange ideas with their peers, hear from industry-leading experts who are trailblazers in the business-to-business and business-to-consumer arenas, and see the latest technology and products.

“We are very excited for attendees to immerse themselves in this first-ever IRCE Focus: Brands & B2B.  We have stacked the agenda with senior-level presenters who are leading major brands doing the most innovative work selling and marketing through multiple channels, including online and broadcast,” said Craig Dooley, group show director, IR Events Group.

He added, “As a valuable networking event, participants will especially benefit from the focused roundtable discussions on Sunday, where they will have the opportunity to exchange ideas and hear from their peers what they are doing to integrate e-commerce in their B2B and B2C efforts."

Brands & B2B is an offshoot of the Internet Retailer Conference & Exhibition that’s on tap in June in Chicago and serves the e-commerce community.

The new event, which is considered an IRCE Focus event and is launched in conjunction with FitForCommerce - an e-commerce consulting company - will drill down on topics such as global e-commerce to market trends for brands, retail and B2B to strategies for implementing and enhancing social media, among many other topics.

There are several high-level speakers for the event, including Robert D’Loren, chairman, CEO, Isaac Mizrahi, Xcel Brands; Tom Davis, global head of E-Commerce, PUMA; and Milton Pappas, President, E-Commerce, Nine West Holdings.

Other companies showcased will be Juicy Couture, Stanley Black and Decker, Steve Madden, and Vince Camuto.

Besides the conference, there also will be opportunities to network, as well as an exhibit hall that will showcase more than 50 B2B e-commerce solution providers with the latest services and solutions for any sized business.

Business Journals Inc., already a New York staple in the world of fashion shows, is launching its successful STITCH-branded event also at the Javits Center Sept. 14-16.

The new show will be collocated with BJI Fashion Group’s sister properties: AccessoriesTheShow, Moda, Fame and EDIT during NY Fashion Week.

“In today’s economy, retailers are all stretched thin and pressed for time, yet they also need to constantly renew and evolve to keep their business vibrant,” said Britton Jones, president and CEO of BJI Fashion Group.

He added, “As a show organizer that has always been our focus – to produce shows that support and enhance these efforts. With the addition of STITCH NY, we are fulfilling BJI’s long-term vision and bringing clarity to the marketing place in all RTW segments.”

STITCH debuted in February in Las Vegas and serves the premium luxury women’s market.

The new show represents the fourth piece that will complete BJI’s ultimate goal to serve and celebrate all corners of the women’s market, according to show organizers.