SAMRA conference moves to Rosebank
As part of its bid to capture a higher day audience, SAMRA (Southern African Marketing Research Association) has moved its annual conference, scheduled for 16-17 August 2012, to the Rosebank Crowne Plaza in Johannesburg. It also offers advertising and marketing guru, Andy Rice, as one of the keynote speakers.
Kim Larsen
Conference chair Kim Larsen, explains, "The venue not only projects where the association wants to be but its central location makes it accessible to a far broader audience across research suppliers, users and clients. This year the conference is also priced reasonably, so that users and suppliers can send more delegates, either for the duration of the conference or for a day, thus allowing for stronger day attendance.
"The array of conference synopses accepted by the judging panel aptly reflects the 2012 conference theme, Reflection and progress - from the present into the future. The willingness to share new approaches and thinking is most exciting. Also aligning his topic to the conference theme, Rice's opening presentation will set the scene for a captivating and stimulating event."
Topics
Topics include 'Brand health measurement across Africa and the Middle East', which is of importance to many expanding FMCG companies and, from a future perspective, digital research developments and trends examining the impact of social media and networking on researchers' engagement with respondents.
Over 30 paper submissions were received, including six 'issue' papers, three keynotes, two Q&A's, a number of submissions from African countries and 24 research papers. In addition, all three submissions by young and upcoming researchers have been accepted.
"We are elated that we have attracted synopses from both research suppliers and users, which is one of the objectives of the conference this year, namely to broaden interest in marketing research issues and trends across the board," she stresses.
"Diverse and well-rounded
"Besides a number of excellent qualitative submissions, from an internal perspective we've also had some very interesting submissions around employee brand engagement and satisfaction. The submissions were diverse and well-rounded, with a selection of interesting topics for everyone across both conference days."
As in previous years, keynote presentations will be held at plenary sessions, while the breakaway sessions will run concurrently, offering a wide selection of topical paper presentations. "As we're anticipating significant attendance growth this year, we are planning to host some of the break-away sessions, as well as the gala dinner and awards event, in a marquee tent close to the main plenary room," concludes Larsen.
Early bird discounts are applicable to bookings before end of April.
