THE Philippine Retailers Association (PRA) has trounced its counterparts in Thailand and Australia in bidding for the 17th Asia Pacific Retailers Convention and Exhibition (APRCE) next year.
Asked what’s PRA’s winning formula, assistant secretary general, Ana Marie Miranda, said: “We showcased why it’s More Fun in the Philippines – both in the retail business side (since attendees are retailers, we highlighted our world class shopping centres), as well as the tourism side. We made them want to come to the Philippines both for business and leisure.”
APRCE is the main activity of the Federation of Asia-Pacific Retailers Associations, which has 17 association members from 17 countries. It is the longest running regional retail conference in Asia, held every two years. The 2013 edition was held in Istanbul, Turkey.
About 1,500 foreign delegates and 2,000 locals are expected during the three-day APRCE at SMX Convention Centre Manila in 2015. The date in September or October is yet to be determined, to ensure it will not clash with APEC Summit.
To boost delegate numbers, Miranda said PRA will “use all forms of media to connect and engage them to make them interested to come and attend. We will utilise both traditional marketing efforts (ads in local and regional publications, TV, radio, etc.) as well as social media and digital/mobile marketing”.
PRA is in the process of preparing the event programme.
“We aim to make APRCE 2015 another world-class regional event to benchmark on so we will be inviting world-class and global leaders in retail. We will also promote pre- and post-event tours,” said Miranda, adding that destinations are still being finalised.
When PRA last hosted APRCE in 1993, it won the Kalakbay Award for Event of the Year
