Local and international retail experts make up the roster of powerhouse speakers for the upcoming 20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE) slated on August 11 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center.
Headlining the conference is acclaimed author of “The Brutal Truth About Branding”, Joseph Baladi who is set to deliver the keynote talk. A regular speaker in major global branding forums, Baladi is known for his thought-provoking insights on misconceptions and missteps in Asian branding and advocates for proper branding strategies that should be implemented to take Asian brands on a globally-competitive level. His highly-acclaimed book talks about commonly practiced strategies and concepts that he says “effectively conspire to hold back Asian brands from becoming great brands.”
Antonino Aquino, named the Best Executive in the Philippines by the prestigious Asiamoney Magazine, is also set to share his thoughts and ideas to over 700 retailers and retail executives in the country at this year’s conference. Under Aquino’s stewardship, Manila Water’s tie-up with the government was regarded as one of most the successful public-private partnerships in the world. Aquino was subsequently appointed to lead Ayala Land Inc., the real estate arm of Ayala Corporation, the country’s biggest and well-established business conglomerate.
Conference attendees also get a chance to hear insights from Edgar Sia II, the man behind the country’s fastest-growing food chain, Mang Inasal. From a single store in Iloilo in 2003, Sia turned Mang Inasal into a nationwide phenomenon with a growth rate so fast, it overtook establishments who have been in the market longer. Mang Inasal continues to be a favorite around the country and the growth prospects are still on the upswing.
To also share the latest retail trends in the 20th NRCE are industry thought-leaders Simon Hall, Regional Business Manager of Hongkong-based The Continuity Company; Vicki Belo, Medical Director of Belo Medical Group; Cathy Saldana, UAP, International Associate AIA, Managing Director of PDP Architects; Shiela Antenor-Cruz, Consultant, Talent and Rewards of Towers Watson Philippines; Steve Delgiorno, VP for Asian Region of Daymon Worldwide; Ray Hom, Industry Director of Singapore-based Red Prairie Asia Private Limited; Carole Sarthou, Managing Director of Synovate; and Rhoda B. Orsolino, Senior Vice President of Banco de Oro.
With the theme, “The New Frontier: Taking Retail to the Next Level,” this year’s NRCE is supported by the country’s leading companies including PLDT Alpha Enterprise, SM, Hewlett-Packard, Festival Supermall, Robinsons Malls; Banco de Oro, TCC, RedPrairie, Vinculum; Ayala Malls, Eastwood Mall, Araneta Center and Chronos; L Timestudio; So! F.A.B., Forme, Wilcon Depot, Bench and Coca-Cola.
The twin activity of the 20th National retail conference is the Stores Asia Expo (Retail Suppliers Expo) that will feature over 100 top retail suppliers to be led by PLDT Alpha Enterprise, HP, Red Prairie, Genie Technologies, Antex , Target Display, Bayantel, PC Craft, DHL, Retail Software Associates, and Epson, among others. To be showcased on the two-day exhibit are the most innovative and updated “tools for global retailing”.
For more information about the 20th NRCE, visit www.nrceph.com, call PRA at 687-4180/4181 or email ebbs@philretailers.com.
