First International Conference of Asian Marketing Associations

As the president of the Korean Marketing Association (KMA), it is my great pleasure to make an announcement of the First International Conference of Asian Marketing Associations, which will be held at Sogang University in Seoul, Korea, from March 13 to March 15 in 2014. It will be a joint international conference of the Marketing Associations in Korea, China, and Japan, comprising 5 sessions on marketing issues and research in Asia. The conference will reflect various interests of the members of the three Marketing Associations, including the issues of consumers and cultures in Asia, and marketing related case studies. The First International Conference of Asian Associations is the fruitful result of hard work of dedicated members of the KMA, Japan Society of Marketing and Distribution, and Council of Chinese Academy of Marketing Science. Since the presidents of the three marketing associations agreed on joint conferences in March, 2012, a number of members in the three associations have provided continued supports for the conference, led by the conference preparation chairs in each association. Our first joint international conference would not be possible without their efforts and contributions, which I deeply appreciate. The First International Conference of Asian Associations will be our first small step towards much greater achievements in the future. International conferences in marketing used to be centered around the U.S. and European academic associations in marketing. In the past ten years, however, Asia has made remarkable progresses in its economic, social, and professional development, repositioning itself as the center of the world. Our joint international conferences in the future will contribute to creating new research trends and developing methodology for research topics unique to Asia. In addition, they are expected to serve as a bridge connecting Asian countries to the U.S. and European countries, leading effective networking, international collaborations, and academic exchanges. The KMA will continue doing its best to make our first joint international conference very successful. It is my hope that many of the members attend the conference for academic discussions and exchanges as well as for strong ties among the members. I courteously invite all of you to the First International Conference of Asian Association in Seoul, next year.