The image consulting industry is on a roll. The future of the global image consulting market currently valued at $4.5 million is projected to grow at a 7.2% annual rate and will reach $7.32 billion in 2032, according to The Image Educator on Threads.
The power of image consultants to change or shape the public perception of individuals and brands is being acknowledged as a game changer for acceptance in the corporate, marketing, political or entertainment worlds.
Holistic personal branding, consisting of communication skills, self-projection and digital presence have been proven to give image-coached clients or brands an edge in their competitive environment.
This was the optimistic picture painted at the global conference of the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) held at the Makati Shangri-La Manila from April 24-27. The event was attended by about 240 professional image consultants from 38 countries from USA, Canada, Italy, Spain, Portugal, France, Italy, Argentina, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Japan, Thailand, Malaysia, India, China, Mexico, Colombia and the Philippines.
Olen Juarez-Lim, founder and president of the OJL Consulting Group and a recognized image management professional and industry icon in the Philippines welcomed the delegates to the colorful event punctuated by side events that showcased Filipino culture, fashion, food, music, and the festival spirit.
Lim is the 22nd president of the prestigious group, the first Asian and Filipina to ever be elected to the position.
Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations,” it was the first time the global conference was held in Asia. The last site of the biennial conference was Punta Cana, Dominican Republic in 2023.
Besides learning new trends and honing their business expertise at the conference, participants delved into the details of their profession which besides fashion and style also includes communication skills, body language, etiquette and social skills, corporate image, digital branding, executive coaching, digital presence, online reputation and technological advancements.
Local and foreign speakers like global entrepreneur and motivational speaker Paulo Tibig, digital entrepreneur and TV star Amber Renae, relational skills expert Kara Finney and Vogue editor Bea Valdes shared their expertise on the latest trends in business, fashion, online entrepreneurship, the finer points of image consultancy and related professions.
Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations,” the conference sought to weave the future of image consulting with an intensive 40-plus sessions on the intricacies of the profession that is now in demand all over the world.
The growth of image consulting is being driven by an increasing awareness of personal branding and the need to project a strong, positive image to be noticed and preferred across various fields and sectors.
“The conference was a great exchange of knowledge, networking and good vibes across cultures. It let our local image consultants gain international recognition, promote their work and get experience for continued professional development. There were meaningful exchanges about trends, technology, and new practices in the most diverse representation of AICI chapters in our organization’s history ever. Most of all, we are proud and happy to have welcomed everyone to Manila and let everyone experience our rich culture,” said Ms. Lim, an image consultancy pioneer in the country and a globally recognized professional.
AICI was established in 1990 with members in 38 chapters and a presence in over 60 countries across the world. It is the leading professional association for image consultants worldwide.
