RECAP - European Marketing Confederation Annual Forum 2024
20 Sep 2024

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.

Session 1: Marketing Strategy for an Association

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.

Session 2: NIMA Marketing Day - A Business Case

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.

Session 3: Supporting the Marketing Profession Globally

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.

Session 4: AI takes over

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.

Session 5: Engaging Members and & SMP’s

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.

Session 6: Comparing Marketing Competencies

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.

Session 7: Sponsorship and Corporate Engagement

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.