From December 2-5, 2019 (after a 30-year gap) Pakistan will once again be hosting AdAsia, Asia’s largest and most prestigious ad Congress, held every two years under the auspices of the Asian Federation of Advertising Associations (AFAA). AdAsia 2019 will be hosted in Lahore at the Expo Centre.

To this end, a curtain raiser was held in Karachi on September 13, in order to garner further support and enthusiasm from Pakistan’s media, advertising and marketing communities. Industry leaders Sarmad Ali (Chairman, AdAsia), Javed Jabbar (Honorary Chairman, AdAsia) and Ali Mandviwalla (Chairman, Pakistan Advertising Association) were among the hosts for the evening. It was announced that Pakistan's largest biscuit manufacturer and food company, English Biscuit Manufacturers (EBM) have joined AdAsia 2019 as the Congress' premium sponsor.

According to Sarmad Ali, “the previous event held in 1989 was a memorable endeavour which set the course and direction of the advertising industry in Pakistan. This year, we are once again committed to using the Congress as a way to carve the way forward for the advertising and marketing communications industry. This is also an opportunity to portray a positive image of Pakistan internationally and show the world that we are a peaceful and hospitable nation.”

World renowned speakers
Approximately 800 delegates from around the world will attend the event, including names such as William Dalrymple (Historian and Author), Lord William Hague (Former Secretary of State UK), Tay Guan Hin (Creative Change Catalyst, APAC Global Advisory), Richard Quest (Chief Business Correspondent CNN), Tasuharu Sasaki (Executive Creative Director, Dentsu Network), Atifa Silk (Brand Director, Campaign – Asia) and Randi Zuckerberg (Founder & CEO, Zuckerberg Media). Pakistani speakers include Musharaf Hai (Managing Director, L'Oreal), Hameed Haroon (CEO, Dawn Media Group), Javed Jabbar (Media Expert), Seema Kamil (President and CEO, UBL), Taher Khan (Founder and Chairman, Interflow Communications), Ali Rez (Regional CD, Middle East & Pakistan, BBDO Worldwide), Shazia Syed (CEO, Unilever Pakistan Foods Limited) and Dr Zeelaf Munir (MD & CEO, EBM).

Culture, food and conversation
AdAsia 2019 will be inaugurated by the Prime Minister of Pakistan at the historic Hazuri Bagh, where a specially commissioned musical play Lahore, Lahore Ae is to be performed. The play is a collaborative effort between some of Pakistan’s top actors, directors and choreographers. Other cultural activities include a Gala Night at the historical Asif Jha Haveli, a Sufi Night in the Walled City, and a farewell closing dinner at the Governor’s House, which will be attended by the President of Pakistan. There will also be a Macau night, which introduces and celebrates the host country for the next AdAsia, which in this case is Macau for 2021.

The minds behind AdAsia 2019
In addition to Sarmad Ali and Ali Mandviwalla, the organising committee includes Jawad Humayun (Immediate Past Chairman, PAA), Sohail Kisat (Senior Vice Chairman, PAA), Numan N. Ahmed (Vice Chairman, PAA), Waqar H. Haidri (Current Secretary Finance, PAA) and Shahzad Nawaz (Event Consultant – Director Creative, Planning, Communication and Event, AdAsia).

Nawaz has designed the AdAsia 2019 logo – a peacock adorned with truck art, which he says highlights the theme of the conference, Celebrasian, as well as symbolises the diversity and harmony in the Asian continent.

This will be a seminal event for Pakistan’s advertising industry and it is hoped that the fraternity will gear up and send as many young delegates as possible.

For further information check out their official website: http://adasialahore.com