With just days to go before doors open, MarketingPulse and eTailingPulse are gearing up for a high‑energy return on Mar. 19 at the Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, bringing global marketing and e-commerce leaders under one roof to map out growth in an unpredictable market. Hosted by the Hong Kong Trade Development Council, the twin conferences will spotlight how brands can rethink expansion strategies amid shifting consumer behavior, rising technologies, and tightening competition.
The 2026 theme, “Generate New Growth,” draws together about 70 speakers across 30 sessions, covering front-line insights on agentic AI, lifestyle commerce, cross‑border expansion, and brand strategy. With the government pushing SMEs to expand digital capabilities, the event doubles as a roadmap for companies looking to sharpen their competitiveness.
One of the headline speakers, Jinhee Lee of South Korea’s Olive Young, will break down how the brand wields data-driven strategy and seamless omnichannel execution to fuel global K‑Beauty momentum. Atour Group CEO Haijun Wang will unpack how experience‑driven operations and customer‑segment mapping have shaped the group’s distinct hospitality-retail hybrid model in the Chinese Mainland.
Brand leaders looking to refine identity in a crowded digital world will turn to former LVMH North America Chair Pauline Brown, who will explore how “aesthetic intelligence” can elevate perception, strengthen loyalty, and boost online‑to‑offline cohesion.
Agentic AI and quick commerce are set to dominate discussion, with Alibaba’s Yatong Qiu outlining how brands can ride China’s speed‑focused retail evolution, while Tencent’s Terry Li will decode AI‑powered solutions aimed at giving businesses a competitive edge.
As ASEAN remains a top target for regional expansion, Lazada’s Luca Barni will join a session on navigating regulatory pitfalls, localization, and cross‑border entry strategies — intel increasingly vital for Mainland and Hong Kong companies eyeing Southeast Asia.
Social storytelling also gets its spotlight: Meta’s Kenie Kwok, actor Ng Siu-hin, and agency IN.DECIDE will examine audience engagement on Threads, including how creators and virtual characters are reshaping community interaction.
This year’s celebrity series brings in actor‑musician Louis Cheung and content creator Mayao, both sharing lessons on personal branding and cultural impact. Other sessions will explore oshikatsu culture, the “healing economy,” and IP-driven engagement to help brands better connect with younger consumers.
The event will also debut “e‑Commerce Connect,” feature nearly 30 exhibitors, run hands‑on workshops, and host networking and business matching sessions — plus live performances led by singer James Ng.
