SLIM hosts Lanka’s first World Marketing Forum

Marking a defining milestone for Sri Lanka’s marketing and business community, the Sri Lanka Institute of Marketing (SLIM) successfully hosted the World Marketing Forum (WMF) 2025, held for the first time in the country from 11 to 16 November 2025.

Endorsed by the Ministry of Industry and Entrepreneurship Development and organised in collaboration with the Asia Marketing Federation, the global event took place at the Mount Lavinia Hotel and key locations in Colombo, drawing together a distinguished line-up of marketing leaders, policymakers, investors, and innovators from around the world.

The six-day forum served as a catalyst in positioning Sri Lanka as a regional hub for cross-border collaboration and frontier investment, while showcasing the nation’s potential to lead within the global marketing sphere.

“This was more than a conference, it was a statement of confidence in Sri Lanka’s capabilities,” said Prof. (Dr.) Jayantha Dewasiri, President of SLIM. “Hosting the World Marketing Forum 2025 placed our country at the epicentre of international marketing thought leadership, demonstrating our readiness to shape conversations that matter to global growth and innovation.”

Echoing his sentiments, WMF 2025 Project Chair Asanka Perera noted, “The opportunity to host this event was both historic and humbling. With participation from global corporations, trade specialists, and industry leaders, WMF 2025 not only strengthened international relationships but also reaffirmed SLIM’s vision of driving economic advancement through marketing excellence.”

The World Marketing Forum 2025 featured a comprehensive itinerary that included networking receptions, thematic plenaries, industry exhibitions, and partner events, fostering an environment of learning, collaboration, and strategic dialogue.

A rare occurrence in the forum’s rotational hosting calendar, Sri Lanka’s turn to host WMF may not recur for another 70 years, making this a truly once-in-a-lifetime achievement.

By bringing the World Marketing Forum to Colombo, SLIM reaffirmed its enduring mission to empower Sri Lanka’s marketing fraternity and elevate the nation’s standing on the world stage.

Source: Hiru news