By Mayan Sangil, PRA
Manila, Philippines – The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), the premier national organization representing retailers, suppliers, and shopping centers across the Philippines, has once again solidified its role as a trailblazer in the retail sector. Marking a monumental step forward, PRA hosted its flagship event, the National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) 2023, on August 10-11, 2023 at the SMX Convention Center Manila ushering in a new era of innovation and collaboration.
In its 29th year, NRCE 2023, guided by the dynamic leadership of its newly-elected President, Roberto Claudio Sr., Chairman Emeritus of Quorum Holdings Corporation, and under the visionary guidance of NRCE Overall Chairman, President of Rustan Commercial Corp., the event stood as a remarkable testament of PRA’s unwavering commitment to fostering growth and excellence within the retail landscape.
Distinguished by its unprecedented scale and impact, NRCE 2023 showcased an exceptional lineup of visionary leaders, industry captains, and luminaries who shared their valuable insights and strategic foresight.
The conference offered the approximately 1,000 attendees a profound and actionable roadmap to success, empowering them to thrive in a rapidly evolving marketplace and attain global competitiveness. Concurrently, the expo featured 87 exhibitors across an expanded format this year spanning three function rooms. This year’s exhibition drew over 3,000 visitors, all eager to explore the cutting-edge retail solutions and innovations on display.
A constellation of luminaries graced the event, with Mariana Zobel de Ayala, Director of Ayala Land Inc., delivering a captivating opening keynote, and Joseph Tanbuntiong, Chief Business Officer of Jollibee Foods Corporation, delivering a compelling closing keynote. The high-caliber speaker lineup also featured eminent figures such as Christopher Maglanoc, President of Ayala Malls; Graham Coates, First Vice President and Head of Megaworld Lifestyle Malls; Faraday Go, EVP and General Manager of Robinsons Malls; and Steven Tan, President of SM Supermalls, who engaged in a forward-looking panel discussion envisioning the future of retail.
Integral to the event’s success were pivotal voices that resonated with the essence of participating businesses. Herve Bullot, Marketing Director of Levi’s Strauss & Co. – East Asia Pacific; Jake Yrastorza, Managing Partner of Gigil; and Pauline Fermin, President & CEO of Acumen Strategy Consultants, were among the 27 thought leaders who added significant depth to the conference with their profound industry insights.
PRA President Claudio remarked, “Our commitment to serving the retail industry propels us to create platforms that genuinely address its evolving needs. The collaborative effort of the NRCE 2023 organizing committee has culminated in a transformative program, empowering retailers with the knowledge and tools to catalyze growth within their enterprises.”
The resounding success of the 29th NRCE was made possible through the unwavering support of esteemed sponsors: (Diamond) Relex Solutions, The SM Store, (Platinum) ETP International PTE LTD, Wilcon Depot, Anchanto, Globe Business, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, PLDT Enterprise, Ayala Malls, Converge Business, Unilab, (Gold) Gateway Mall 2, Robinsons Malls, (Silver) Security Bank, Bench, Bayer Philippines, SM Supermalls,
(Official Partners) Retailgate Technologies, Vasavah Consultancy, The Philippine Star, The Manila Times, BusinessWorld, Philippine Daily Inquirer, (Media Partners) DOOH, Mediacast Digital Group, (Radio Partner) Wish 107.5, (Sponsors) UnionBank of the Philippines, Entrego, Unicommerce, CMG Retail Inc., Shangri-la Plaza, E-cloud Valley, Inewvation International Corp., Avolution, Inc., Mercury Drug, Primer Group of Companies, Rich Graphix Brand, Sportshouse, Heritage Multi-Office Products
NRCE 2023 served as a momentous juncture where the Philippine Retailers Association led the industry to new horizons, reinforcing its role as a vanguard of progress. The event’s influence is set to echo across the retail landscape, inspiring growth, innovation, and harmonious collaboration among stakeholders.
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