The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has unveiled plans for its 2026 Annual Marketing Conference and Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, where about 100 new marketing professionals are expected to be inducted during the three-day gathering.
The conference, scheduled to take place from June 18 to 20, will also feature elections into six vacant positions on the institute’s governing council, providing members with an opportunity to participate in shaping the future leadership of the professional body.
Expected to attract marketing practitioners, business executives, academics, policymakers and students from across the country, the conference will focus on emerging trends and evolving dynamics within the marketing profession.
The event themed, “Community, Culture and Connection: Re-imagining the New Market,” is designed to explore how changing consumer behaviour, cultural influences and community engagement are redefining marketing strategies in Nigeria and beyond.
A major highlight of the conference will be the induction of qualified participants into the Associate and Fellow categories of the institute, reinforcing NIMN’s commitment to professional development and capacity building within the industry.
Activities will commence with a dedicated students’ conference aimed at bridging the gap between classroom learning and industry practice. The session will provide aspiring marketers with opportunities to interact with experienced professionals and gain practical insights into the realities of today’s marketplace.
Participants will also engage in keynote presentations, panel discussions and research sessions examining the growing relationship between brands, consumers and communities in an increasingly connected world.
Another key feature of the conference will be the unveiling of a collaborative research project between NIMN and Lagos Business School. The study explores how community engagement, cultural relevance and meaningful consumer connections are influencing modern marketing strategies and creating new opportunities for businesses.
Speaking on the significance of the conference, NIMN President, Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, urged marketers to move beyond conventional audience-reach metrics and focus on building stronger and more meaningful relationships with consumers.
‘’The conference is expected to provide practical insights that will encourage innovation, strengthen professional competence and support long-term value creation within Nigeria’s economy’’, she said.
The event will culminate in the institute’s Annual General Meeting, where members will deliberate on governance issues, elect new council representatives and chart strategic priorities for the future of marketing practice in the country.
