The European Marketing Confederation (EMC) Annual Forum 2024, held in Budapest on 18th September, was filled with insightful discussions and forward-thinking presentations. It brought together marketing professionals and association leaders from eleven European countries to discuss strategies, trends, and the future of marketing.
Marketing professionals and association leaders from across eleven European countries gathered to explore strategies, industry trends, and the future of marketing.
The event kicked off with a warm welcome by Árpád Papp-Váry and Tamas Kozma. Afterwards, Ralf Strauss, chair of EMC set the tone for a productive and engaging day.
Following the introduction, Shane McGonigle took the stage to discuss marketing strategies for associations. He shared insights on how the Marketing Institute of Ireland (MII) adds value for its members and focuses on member engagement.
Rob Overduin introduced the audience to the NIMA Marketing Day, a large-scale marketing festival with around 1,500 participants. He outlined the business case behind organizing such an event and highlighted its impact on the marketing community.
In his presentation, Chris Daly discussed the importance of supporting the marketing profession from an international perspective. He emphasized the need for continuous development and collaboration across borders to enhance the credibility and growth of marketing as a profession.
After a coffee break, Ralf Strauss returned to lead a thought-provoking session on how AI is transforming the marketing landscape. He provided an overview of the latest AI developments and their potential implications for marketing strategies.
Alvyde Palaimaite followed with a session on how to engage members and Senior Marketing Professionals (SMPs) from tailored communication to special events. Her presentation offered practical tips for fostering stronger connections within marketing associations.
Martin Huisman EMP shared initial findings from the marketing competence framework study, offering a comparative analysis of marketing skills across different regions and sectors. This session provided valuable insights into how marketing competencies are evolving.
Closing out the presentations, Montse de Luis shared a case study from Spain on sponsoring marketing awards. She explained how to successfully engage sponsors and corporate members, using the Spanish model as an example of building sustainable partnerships.
To finalize an exciting day full of new insights the attendees gathered for the EMC formal dinner, where board members, PQC members, forum visitors, and representatives from the Hungarian Marketing Association had the opportunity to network in a more relaxed setting.
The EMC Annual Forum 2024 provided a platform for leaders of marketing associations to exchange ideas, share best practices, and discuss the future of marketing in Europe. The event highlighted the importance of innovation, collaboration, and adapting to the ever-changing marketing landscape.