Thursday Oct 16, 2025
Thursday Oct 16, 2025
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From left: SLIM Education and Research VP Dr. Dilhan Jayatileke, President Prof. Dr. Jayantha N. Dewasiri, Education Reform Committee Member Yasas Hewage, Unilever Sri Lanka Chairman and CEO Ali Tariq, World Marketing Forum Project Chair Asanka Perera – Pic by Shehan Gunasekara
By Safna Malik
The Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM), in collaboration with the Asia Marketing Federation and endorsed by the Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry will be hosting the World Marketing Forum (WMF) 2025. The Forum, which will be held for the very first time in Sri Lanka, is scheduled to take place in Colombo from 11 to 16 November 2025.
The initiative aims to promote Sri Lanka’s position in the global sphere and showcase the significant opportunities the nation has to offer as a regional hub for cross-border collaboration and an attractive frontier investment destination.
The six-day forum is scheduled to feature a series of interactive sessions, presentations, and expert-led discussions, bringing together senior marketing professionals, policymakers, trade specialists, financial services providers, and global corporations to unlock new opportunities.
The WMF 2025 aims to strengthen professional collaboration while being a crucial platform for promoting exports, trade, investment, and cultural exchange. Delegates from around the world are expected to experience Sri Lanka’s rich heritage, culture, and hospitality, further solidifying the nation’s position as a trusted partner in global business and marketing leadership.
Speaking at the official press conference for the WMF 2025, SLIM President Prof. (Dr.) Jayantha Dewasiri stated that hosting the Forum marked the beginning of a historic journey, as Sri Lanka becomes the first nation in the South Asia region to secure the WMF. He affirmed that the WMF acts as the global stage for Asia’s marketing voice.
He stressed that this event offers a critical opportunity for the nation to showcase its intellectual capital, creative excellence, and entrepreneurial spirit, thereby placing the nation firmly on the global map of marketing innovation.
Dr. Dewasiri shared his view that strong public and private sector collaboration would be key to advancing Sri Lanka’s marketing ecosystem and positioning the nation as a hub of regional excellence in marketing. By November 2025, he confirms that the WMF would transform Colombo into the marketing capital of Asia.
He emphasised that, ‘‘Hosting the World Marketing Forum for the first time is a profound testament to the nation’s capabilities, infrastructure, and expertise in the field. The Forum would not only elevate Sri Lanka’s profile internationally but would also inspire the local marketing fraternity to embrace global best practices, while simultaneously showcasing our own innovations and success stories to the world.’’
The scale of the event is highlighted by the expected international participation, which is set to include over 150 international investors and representatives from 50+ associations. Organisers further confirmed that of the 50 country representatives targeted, 47 are already confirmed from regions spanning Asia, Europe, Africa, the Americas, and Oceania.
WMF Founder Hermawan Kartajaya joined the press conference online to outline the event’s history and scope. The first WMF was held in Japan, in 2021, followed by Indonesia, Thailand, and Philippines in 2024. He said the highly anticipated fifth edition of WMF in 2025 to be initiate in Sri Lanka.
Kartajaya added that the talking point for the upcoming forum will be ‘Reimagining Marketing,’ featuring discussions focused on the latest marketing developments and the sharing of best practices across the world.
The Industry and Entrepreneurship Development Ministry Deputy Minister Chathuranga Abeysinghe acknowledged SLIM and its partners for securing the WMF, conveying the Government’s gratitude.
He stated the Ministry’s full support stemmed from two reasons: close collaboration with SLIM to boost entrepreneurship and the significance of WMF which aligns with national vision. Abeysinghe added that the event will position Sri Lanka as a focal point, drawing global attention for hosting the WMF 2025.
The WMF 2025 Project Chair Asanka Perera described securing the World Marketing Forum as a national triumph and a cultural achievement. “We are proud to bring this global platform to Sri Lanka. Beyond being a professional gathering, the Forum will highlight the flavour of our country, its rich culture, and its immense possibilities to the world. It is an opportunity to demonstrate Sri Lanka’s unique strengths on the global stage.”
Perera then gave a glimpse of the WMF 2025, stating it promises a diverse and impactful line-up of keynote addresses, panel discussions, award ceremonies, and networking opportunities designed to foster collaboration across different cultural and economic contexts.
Unveiling the detailed six-day agenda for the WMF 2025 on 11-16 November, Perera shared the conference dates 12-13 November which is expected to commence with a keynote by Prof. Philip Kotler known widely as the father of modern marketing, followed by sessions on operational excellence, creative innovation, and global management.
The second conference day will specifically focus on Sri Lanka’s brand transformation and include global perspectives from key regions, concluding with the Asia Marketing Excellence Awards and the SLIM Brand Excellence Awards.
The Forum also incorporates the Asia Industry Expo 2025 at BMICH on 14 November and optional cultural tours to Kandy or Galle on 15 November before the official conclusion.
The WMF 2025 sponsors, include Unilever, the Colombo Stock Exchange, the Chartered Institute of Marketing, Bank of Ceylon, and Sunshine Holdings.
The WMF 2025 is a rare and momentous occasion, as the extensive global participation and rotational hosting structure mean that the country will not have the opportunity to host WMF again for at least the next 70 years. For Sri Lanka, this represents an once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to showcase its dynamic marketing industry, robust event hosting capabilities, and commitment to advancing the profession globally.
By bringing WMF 2025 to Colombo, SLIM reaffirms its mission to lead the nation’s efforts towards economic prosperity through marketing, ensuring that Sri Lanka emerges as a valued and influential voice in global marketing dialogues.
