RIYADH, 15 May — A one-day seminar to be held at the Riyadh Chamber of Commerce and Industry (RCCI) today will focus on economic challenges currently facing the Kingdom. Of prime importance will be its membership of the WTO and its requirements in terms of changes to the economic and legal frameworks, privatization and new investment regulations.
The seminar, “Building Competitive Advantage,” is being organized by The Marketing Forum in conjunction with Gulf Marketing Review (GMR) magazine and RCCI as part of its ongoing program for marketing and business leaders in the region. It is sponsored by Saudi Net, General Motors and Saudi Arabian Airlines.
“The event is aimed at Saudi business owners and decision-makers who recognize that to succeed they need to enhance the way they do business,” said Barry Gray, managing director and publisher of Gulf Marketing Review. “I don’t believe I am being overdramatic when I say that for some companies in the region the challenge really is to change or perish.”
A press release issued by GMR said a distinguished panel of speakers has been lined up for the event, including international experts and successful practitioners in the Kingdom, who will discuss the changes Saudi companies can implement to remain competitive in the market.
The keynote address “Out of our minds: Learning to be creative” will be delivered by Prof. Ken Robinson, who was voted the European Business Speaker of the Year in 1999. Prof. Robinson headed the British government’s research into creativity, education and the economy.
Local experts include Aftab Khan, the Saudi-based franchise manager for Johnson & Johnson Middle East, who will speak on the local marketing of global brands, while Ahmed Al Oraini, Saudi Oracle’s applications manager and a frequent speaker, will look at competitive CRM systems. Brendan Nolan, general manager, marketing for Almarai Company, who has overseen the rapid progress for the dairy company, will explain the importance of logistics in delivering the brand promise.
Sessions will also be chaired by leading industry personalities, including Abdullah Al Zamil, senior vice president of Zamil Airconditioners and Yousef Hamidaddin, general manager of Saudi Arabian direct marketing consultancy, DMS.
