By Aira Villanueva, PRA
The Philippine Retailers Association (PRA), guided by our esteemed Board of Directors under the leadership of President Mr. Roberto S. Claudio, and the dedicated NRCE 2024 Committee, proudly hosted the 30th National Retail Conference and Expo (NRCE) on August 29-30, 2024, at the SMX Convention Center Manila. This event stands as the largest and longest-running retail industry gathering in the country.
As President Claudio movingly stated in his welcome remarks, “The NRCE holds a significant place in the history of the PRA and the retail sector at large. It was conceived to create a community where retailers could converge, exchange knowledge, and inspire each other.”
Staying true to this vision, the PRA delivered a series of world-class sessions. The Opening Keynote was delivered by the Special Assistant to the President for Investment and Economic Affairs, Secretary Frederick D. Go, who highlighted the government’s efforts to cultivate an economic environment that supports and sustains growth by fostering inclusivity, resilience, and investment, reinforcing our aim to be a premier investment destination.
The first day of the NRCE featured compelling sessions on topics such as the Next Generation’s Impact on Retail, Crafting Experiential Retail Spaces, The Korean Culture’s Global Influence on Retail, and Unveiling Powerful Insights from Legacy Malls. These sessions provided attendees with cutting-edge insights and strategies.
Day 2 continued to impress with a special session from Hans Sy, Chairman of the Executive Committee of SM Prime Holdings, and his son, Chico Sy, President of SM Engineering Design and Development Corp. Their heartfelt session, “Legacy of Guidance: How My Father Shaped My Life,” offered profound reflections on leadership, innovation, and the importance of family. They shared lessons from the late Mr. Henry Sy Sr., emphasizing the values of focus, hunger, and humility.
The conference also covered critical topics such as the enduring impact of Legacy Brands, adapting international brands for Filipino consumers, Building Supercharged Retail Teams, and Fostering Collaboration and Innovation Across Generations. A particularly notable session was on Sustainability, led by Anna Lagon, CEO and CCO of Bayo Manila and PRA Chairwoman for Sustainability. She emphasized, “Retail voices are not just echoes in the marketplace—they are champions of change, leading the way towards a sustainable future.”
The event was capped off with an inspiring closing keynote by Eugene Acevedo, President and CEO of RCBC who spoke on Leadership with Purpose. He emphasized that “true leadership is about more than just profits—it’s about purpose. Leadership is about caring.”
The 30th NRCE proved to be more than just a showcase—it was a platform for unveiling new products and services while gaining actionable insights and innovative strategies to apply to your business.
We extend our heartfelt thanks to our generous sponsors whose support made this event possible: (Diamond Sponsor) SM Retail; (Platinum Sponsors) Relex Solutions, Anchanto, Converge ICT Solutions, Wilcon Depot, Globe Business, ETP International PTE LTD, PLDT Enterprise, Unilab, and Ayala Malls; (Gold Sponsors) Bayer Philippines, Megaworld Lifestyle Malls, Gateway Mall 2, and Robinsons Malls; (Silver Sponsors) Bench and SM Supermalls; (Official Partners) Avolution, InnovationOne, Vasavah Consultancy, The Philippine Star, BusinessWorld, The Manila Times, Inquirer Group of Companies, Media Blitz Group and (Sponsors) CLN, MRDIY, Petron Treats, eCloudvalley Philippines, Shangri-La Plaza, Mercury Drug, World Traveller, Sportshouse International Leisure, Inc., Rich Graphix Brand, DOOH, and Sterling Paper Products Enterprises.
We look forward to welcoming you to the 31st NRCE and continuing our mission to help your business grow.
