Sri Lanka Brand Conclave 2026, which is scheduled to be held on the 28th July at Cinnamon Grand, will place global brand leadership thinking at the centre of Sri Lanka’s marketing landscape, bringing together internationally recognised experts, senior business leaders and marketing professionals to explore how organisations can build stronger, future-ready brands in a rapidly evolving marketplace.
Dr. Prem Shamdasani, Associate Professor of Marketing and Academic Director of the Executive MBA at NUS Business School, National University of Singapore; Thomas Barta, CEO of the Marketing Leadership Institute and Founder of The Marketing Leadership Masterclass; Tay Guan Hin, APAC Regional Director of The One Club for Creativity and former Creative Chairman of BBDO Singapore; and Md. Ehsanul Hoque, Country Director for Sri Lanka & Bangladesh at Aleph Group, are the global voices that will be featured at the conclave shaping the future of branding and marketing.
The conclave, which is designed to serve as Sri Lanka’s flagship platform for brand leadership and innovation, will explore the factors transforming modern brands, varying from creativity and purpose to artificial intelligence, digital transformation, and evolving consumer expectations.
Dr. Prem Shamdasani will discuss the increasing significance of purpose-driven brands and how businesses can build deep relationships with consumers. Thomas Barta will explore how marketers can evolve from brand managers into leaders who contribute to the growth of their business. Md. Ehsanul Hoque will highlight new developments and trends in AI-powered marketing within Google’s evolving ecosystem, while Tay Guan Hin will address creativity as a strategic advantage in building distinctive brands.
Beyond the keynote sessions, the programme will include strategic conversations designed to offer useful perspectives from senior leaders influencing Sri Lanka’s business landscape. Leaders from Prima and Spa Ceylon will participate in a panel discussion titled “Disrupt to Win – Creating Brands People Love and Advocate For” to discuss how brands can foster stronger consumer relationships and inspire advocacy.
Senior marketing leaders from Singer Sri Lanka and Dialog Axiata will participate in the CMO Dialogue, “How Brands are Leveraging the Modern Digital Ecosystem and the Evolving Skills in Demand,” which will explore how organisations are adapting to digital transformation, evolving consumer behavior, and the changing capabilities needed in modern marketing teams.
A Strategy to Action session will also be included in the programme, which will bring together industry leaders from CBL and Fotera to discuss how organisations can convert brand strategy into measurable business outcomes. The conversation will provide useful insights on carrying out brand initiatives, promoting growth, and generating long-term value in a market that is becoming increasingly competitive.
The conclave programme will also offer delegates access to expert deep dives of today’s brand playbook, local and global case studies, consumer data, including Gen Z behavior, and the current thoughts on AI, creativity, purpose, and community-driven brand growth. To strengthen brand performance and deal with changing market dynamics, participants will be exposed to global perspectives, practical frameworks, and actionable strategies.
Commenting on the vision behind the conclave, Shariful Islam, Founder & Chairman of Sri Lanka Brand Forum, said, “The role of brands has transformed significantly. Today, businesses have to understand not just how to communicate with consumers, but how to develop relevance, trust and lasting value in a continuously changing environment. Sri Lanka Brand Conclave was designed to connect our marketing community with global thinking while creating meaningful discussions around the realities and opportunities within our own market. Our vision is to build a platform where leaders can learn, exchange ideas and shape the future of branding in Sri Lanka.”
CMOs, business leaders, entrepreneurs, marketers, and brand professionals will come together for a day of learning, collaboration, and knowledge sharing at the Sri Lanka Brand Conclave 2026. The conclave seeks to strengthen Sri Lanka’s brand ecosystem and support the next generation of brand leadership by connecting global expertise with local insights.
Registrations are now open for 28th July at Cinnamon Grand Colombo. Attendees will have access to world-class knowledge, valuable networking opportunities, and practical strategies to build future-ready brands.
The brands that lead tomorrow will be built by the leaders who learn today.
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