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The National Institute of Marketing of Nigeria (NIMN) has announced plans to convene marketing professionals, business leaders, academics and students in Port Harcourt next week for its 2026 Annual Marketing Conference, as the industry grapples with rapidly changing consumer behaviour, digital disruption and growing demand for authentic brand engagement.
Scheduled for June 18th to 20th, the conference is themed “Community, Culture and Connection: Re-imagining the New Market” and is expected to provide a platform for stakeholders to explore emerging trends shaping the future of marketing in Nigeria and beyond.
Speaking at a press briefing in Lagos, NIMN President and Chairman of Council, Dr. Bolajoko Bayo-Ajayi, said the conference would focus on helping marketing practitioners navigate a marketplace increasingly defined by technology, cultural relevance and relationship-driven engagement.
According to her, businesses can no longer rely solely on traditional transactional approaches but must build meaningful connections with consumers whose expectations continue to evolve in an increasingly digital and interconnected environment.
“The marketplace has fundamentally changed. Consumers are no longer just buying products and services; they are aligning themselves with brands that reflect their values, understand their culture and foster a sense of community,” she said.
Bayo-Ajayi noted that the conference theme was deliberately designed to provoke conversations around the future of marketing and equip practitioners with practical strategies for creating sustainable value in a competitive business environment.
“By focusing on Community, Culture and Connection, we are encouraging marketers to move beyond conventional metrics and embrace approaches that build trust, loyalty and long-term relationships. The future belongs to brands that can connect authentically with people and create experiences that resonate across generations and communities,” she added.
The three-day conference will feature a student mentoring programme tagged “From Classroom to Marketplace,” a thought-leadership symposium and paper presentation organised in collaboration with Lagos Business School, an induction ceremony for new members, and the Institute’s Annual General Meeting, where elections will be conducted to fill vacant positions on the NIMN Governing Council.
Onsite registration is scheduled to commence on June 17 at the conference venue in Port Harcourt.
The Institute also reminded members that participation in the conference remains a mandatory requirement for professional membership upgrade.
Established by Act No. 25 of 2003, NIMN is the statutory body responsible for regulating marketing practice in Nigeria, promoting ethical standards and advancing professional excellence within the industry.
