Branding confab to set positive agenda

As part of efforts to rebrand the country, Brandzone, in collaboration with the Centre for Values in Leadership (CVL), founded by Professor Pat Utomi, is set to host a two-day National Branding Conference at the Oriental Hotels from Tuesday October 17 through 18 in Lagos. It has as theme ‘Branding: A Catalyst for Development and Growth’.

The event is designed to create a distinct image that will position the country positively, both locally and internationally. The conference is an annual Thought Leadership Series – Brand Innovation Conference, created by Brandzone Consulting. This year’s conference is a strategic response to the country’s quest for an appropriate narrative, and the need to project its diversity to the world. The conference hopes to address and encourage Nigerians to take ownership and start promoting ‘Brand Nigeria’ positively.

Chairman of First Bank of Nigeria, Mrs. Ibukun Awosika, is expected to chair the event, which will also involve the country’s most accomplished business leaders, policymakers and entrepreneurs. Organisers of the conference hope that it would stimulate deliberations that would provide a framework for creating appropriate narratives about Nigeria. Additionally, the framework will halt continued interpretation of the country through a limited prism at the expense of a diversified economy and enterprising population.

The yearly Brand Innovation Conference is a transformation platform that leverages its extensive network of experienced and accomplished speakers to offer perspectives and proffer solutions to issues of national, economic and social importance. To the organisers, the conference marks the beginning of the journey to showcasing Nigeria’s diverse areas currently driving positive development through creating opportunities. Contributions of sectors such as solid minerals, mining, agriculture, travels, hospitality, entertainment, fashion and lifestyle would be underlined to support the place of SMEs, as the growth engines of the Nigerian economy.

Managing Partner, Brandzone and Convener Brand Innovation Conference, Chizor Malize, noted, “The national conference will serve as a precursor to an envisioned national branding story that will create a sense of pride in Nigeria and earn Nigeria the admiration and collaboration of the international community, particularly the leading nations of the world. We have identified experienced speakers and industry thought leaders who have done remarkable great things building credible operations and businesses across the public and private sectors such as technology, banking, manufacturing, telecommunications, consumer goods, SMEs, entertainment and lifestyle.

“These speakers shall highlight their areas of impact in the diverse sectors, sharing the core positive attributes that have driven the demonstrable success, which have catalyzed growth in their diverse areas of endeavor and the nation as a whole. The objective is to tap from such remarkable performances to find positive narratives capable of providing opportunities in defining the nation’s core essence.”

Co-Convener of the 2017 Brand Innovation Conference, Utomi, had earlier said, “The conference will provide realistic outcomes that will serve as resources driving positive change in mindset while creating the much-required narratives for Nigeria and empower every Nigerian with appropriate themes to project the country”.

Oganisers says the conference is focused on achieving collective intelligence and documentation of fresh knowledge and insights, adding, “Therefore, the two-day event will start with plenary sessions with resource and faculty drawn from the public and private sectors, while day two of the conference will run as a workshop where participants will create a national brand experience journey, as part of the process of mapping our strong brand narrative.

“In addition to the plenary sessions and workshops the National Branding Conference is designed to have an exhibition of high opportunity sectors such as SMEs, agriculture, agro-allied products, technology, production and locally produced consumer goods, which contribute to development and growth and combine to create positive stories for the country. The conference shall provide fresh insights and new knowledge to continue creating the most innovative strategies and ideas for projecting our nation positively.”