20th NRCE to Showcase Biggest Yet Philippine Retail Conference and Expo, Featuring World-class Industry Leaders

[Janette Toral]

The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) brings the biggest yet Retail Conference and Expo in the country as it holds the 20th National Retail Conference and Stores Asia Expo (NRCE) this 2011 slated on August 11 to 12 at the SMX Convention Center.

With the theme, “The New Frontier: Taking Retail to the Next Level,” , this year’s conference and expo 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 Communications, Inc.; Ayala Malls, Eastwood Mall, Araneta Center and Chronos; L Timestudio; So! F.A.B., Forme, Wilcon Depot, Bench and Coca-Cola.

Dubbed as the biggest retail industry event of the year, the 20th NRCE will bring Asia’s leading thought leaders, and the biggest retailers and suppliers under one roof.

Highlighting this year’s retail conference are some of the biggest names and most respected brand experts and strategists in the country and around the Asia Pacific.

Topping this year’s elite guest list are Ma. Elena “Ballsy” Aquino-Cruz, Asian brand guru Joseph Baladi; Ayala Land, Inc President and Management Man of the Year 2009 Antonino Aquino and Mang Inasal Founder Edgar Sia II. Aquino-Cruz sets the stage by inspiring the retailers to strive for excellence with integrity in the conduct of their business.

The Retail Conference will go full blast on tackling issues and concern of the Asian brand as it features this year’s keynote speaker, Asia Brand Guru and renowned author of “The Brutal Truth about Branding,” Joseph Baladi. He has held senior regional and global brand responsibilities as a Senior Vice President at DMB&B and McCann-Erickson Worldwide handling Procter & Gamble, MARS, Labatt beers and Coca Cola.

Baladi’s extensive expertise in business communications has been recognized by top media and business executives worldwide. His highly-acclaimed book, The Brutal Truth About Branding” discusses commonly practiced strategies and concepts that he says “effectively conspire to hold back Asian brands from becoming great brands.”

With his thought-provoking insights on misconceptions and missteps in Asian branding, Baladi is a regular fixture in major global branding forums advocating proper branding strategies that should be implemented for Asian brands to become globally competitive.

Another prominent figure in marketing excellence, participants can expect a multitude of effective marketing strategies from Antonino Aquino. Also named the Best Executive in the Philippines for 2009 by the prestigious Asiamoney Magazine, Aquino’s effective management transformed various companies into world-class businesses.

Joining this year’s powerhouse speakers is Edgar Sia II, the man behind the Mang Inasal Fame. 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; Vicky Belo, President 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; Illac Diaz, Executive Director of My Shelter Foundation; Carole Sarthou, Managing Director of Synovate; and Rhoda B. Orsolino, Senior Vice President of Banco de Oro.

Moreover, another major event during the 20th NRCE is the Stores Asia Expo that will feature over 100 top retail suppliers to be led by PLDT Alpha Enterprise, HP, Red Prairie, Genie Technologies, Antex and Target Display at NRCE’s Stores Asia Expo. 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 [e-mail]