The Kerala Management Association (KMA) will hold its annual management convention on January 16-17 at the Grand Hyatt in Kochi. The theme of the convention is `Innovate to Elevate.'
The former Union minister of state, Rajeev Chandrasekhar, will open the event on January 16 evening. The inaugural session will also feature a keynote address by Angelo George, chief executive officer of Bisleri International. Ibrahim Al Blushi, executive director of Dubai Ports Authority, will be the guest of honour.
K. Harikumar, KMA's senior vice president and convention chairman, said the convention would focus on the need for continuous innovation in today’s competitive environment. The event will explore how sectors like FMCG, retail, manufacturing, finance, fashion, and digital fields can innovate and adapt. Harikumar emphasised the importance of innovation for Kerala’s industries to withstand global and domestic competition.
Keynote speakers on the second day include prominent figures such as Big Basket co-founder Hari Menon, Bata president (APAC) Rajeev Gopalakrishnan, ITC Limited divisional chief executive (Foods) Hemant Malik, Nayara Energy Limited executive chairman Prasad K Panicker, and ONDC MD & CEO T. Koshy.
KMA President Bibu Ponnuran highlighted the event’s focus on engaging the youth, aiming to showcase Kerala's business and corporate potential. Young achievers with international recognition will also be honoured during the convention. Around 1,000 participants are expected to attend the event.
Two panel discussions, under the auspices of KMA Young Minds, are scheduled for January 16 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. KSIDC chairman C. Balagopal will deliver the keynote address during these sessions. These discussions will include themes like `Innovation in infrastructure' and `Success stories.'
Separate registration will be required for the KMA Young Minds sessions.
A session on "Innovation in fashion" will feature notable personalities such as former NID Ahmedabad Director Dr. Darlie Koshy, fashion designer and The Luxury League founder Ritu Beri, and internationally acclaimed fashion consultant Vinod Nair. Additionally, a discussion titled "The fintech catalyst" will include Raju Vegsana, CMD of Sify Technologies Limited, Anish Achuthan, co-founder and CEO of Open Financial Technologies, and Mohan Krishnan, co-founder of Byzan Systems.
Another highlight of the event will be a debate featuring former MLA K.S. Sabarinathan and former IAS officer Thomas Mathew, who authored a biography of Ratan Tata.
Interested participants are encouraged to look out for further announcements regarding the programme schedule and registration details.
For more details: https://www.kma.qmarkdesk.com/registration