This year, SLIM will conduct "Brand Excellence" for the 10th consecutive year. "SLIM BE" has gained recognition as the premier annual event in the corporate calendar of the marketing fraternity in Sri Lanka. The event has grown and has proved that it is the ideal platform for a marketer to shine for all the effort put in and the strategies thought through. With this growing acceptance of SLIM BE, Sri Lankan corporates will gradually move into a brand driven culture, the result being that Sri Lankan brands will be well geared to stand tall, both locally and globally.

The business community is beginning to see the silver lining in the emerging brand landscape today. Industry giants have seen their shares challenged, and in some cases overrun, by relatively newer entrants who dared to be different. The one element that is currently the concern of all brand custodians, from the Chief Executive downwards, is brand share; be it of market, voice, or basket. Brands have a scientific process coupled with business sense to create strong brand value. This is the time for marketers to think like a business manager and have strategic insight into business while wearing the creative genius' cap, thus equipping them to seize every opportunity that presents itself.

SLIM Brand Excellence 2011 could be one such tool that brand custodians can use to keep their brand's flame rising so high and to ensure that the brand does not go unnoticed by any potential customers.

Whilst thanking all who support this prestigious event- financially, physically and morally, I would like to humbly invite all marketers to make use of this unique opportunity to let your brand "BE" the brand that every brand aspires to BE.