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MEMBERSHIP NEWS : 2014 AMC SUMMIT AND EXHIBITION AMC Summit to talk marketing in Africa HE RELEVANCE OF BEING sectors in a climate where multinationals Africa-specific has never been have a basket of business opportunities to T more important than in current choose from. times. Booming economies, rising The exhibition will provide a stage, for growth, increasing investment and rapid those interested, to showcase products urbanisation are some of the factors and services and is an excellent forum to that are heralding in a new Afro-centric reach not just African marketing bodies, mindset and it has never been more but academia, chambers of commerce, important for African marketers to come CEOs, marketing executives and together, united on a platform that speaks government officials. specifically to marketing strategies that President of the AMC, Helen McIntee cross borders. says: “We expect the Summit to motivate In answer to this call, The African improved industry standards and prove Marketing Confederation will be hosting that African products and services need its first continental Summit from 15-18 no longer be marketed from a distance. October at Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. Becoming Africa-specific is crucial to any i This event is co-hosted by one of the investor and they must be guided by regional nvestor and they must be guided by regional AMC’s founding members, the Marketers professionals who can help integrate their Association of Zimbabwe (MAZ), with the offerings into an African context. other five founding members in support: Chartered Institute of Marketing Ghana Becoming Africa- (CIMG); National Institute of Marketing of specifi c is crucial Nigeria (NIMN); Marketing Society of Kenya A VOICE FOR MARKETING (MSK); Zambian Institute of Marketing to any investor PROFESSIONALS (ZIM); and the Institute of marketing Management South Africa (IMM). The AMC was founded The 2014 AMC Summit and Exhibition “Africans themselves are demanding in 2011 when marketing is anticipated to attract up to 500 unprecedented levels of satisfaction. bodies from four countries delegates from across the continent. A high standard of service delivery is met to discuss the status The theme: ‘Cross-border markets in imperative and conglomerates that and development of the Africa: challenges or opportunities?’ will are expanding into, and onto, the marketing profession across be addressed by three highly regarded continent need to ensure a consistent Africa. In unification, and keynote speakers: Dr Frannie Léautier, Dr and relevant marketing strategy despite along with two additional Martyn Davies and marketing guru Thebe cultural, language and operational founding members, the six Ikalafeng. Each AMC member country barriers. Marketing templates used by members ensure that the will also present one speaker to cover a multinationals on continents like Europe, AMC is the most powerful broad range of relevant concepts. Asia and America are just not going to cut voice for marketing Zimbabwe’s Minister of Tourism, it in Africa,” says McIntee. professionals in Africa. Walter Mzembi, who will be opening The AMC Summit is expected to be Its mandate and vision is proceedings, has embraced and a catalyst in the way African marketers to promote and maintain acknowledged the value of African cooperate and collaborate. The AMC high standards of education, marketing, particularly within the tourism is driven to ensure that marketing is professional skills, ethics PHOTOS: ISTOCKPHOTO environment. Mzembi’s attendance a major asset and one that supports and integrity among African proves just how serious is Zimbabwe in development, growth and guides new marketers. ensuring crucial co-operation between or expanding businesses. 34 strategicmarketingafrica Third quarter 2014 34 Membership News v3.indd 38 2014/06/26 3:51 PM