PATTAYA, THAILAND — ADFEST 2023, with the theme “RISE,” showcased the best creative works and inspiring content from Asia Pacific last March 23 to 25. To formally close the three-day festival, Kem Suraphongchai, ADFEST 2023 Festival Director and Managing Director of Plannova, delivered a moving wrap-up speech that paid tribute to the founder and president of ADFEST, Jimmy Lam, who passed away in 2020.
As someone who worked closely with Jimmy over the years, Kem spoke about his legacy and the impact he had on the advertising industry. “There is a hole where Jimmy left and to this day, we miss him so much. However, I believe his legacy lives on and we will keep rising,” Kem stated.
Kem expressed her gratitude to all the attendees for making ADFEST 2023 a success, from the juries to the speakers and delegates. She acknowledged that without the support of the advertising community, the festival’s first live event since the pandemic would not have been possible.
However, the highlight of Kem’s speech was an uplifting video that she played at the very end, which thanked the unsung heroes of ADFEST. She spoke about the long hours the team put in and the sacrifices they made to ensure that the festival ran smoothly. Kem also thanked them for their kindness and for going above and beyond to make sure that everyone felt welcome and comfortable.
The video was a beautiful tribute to the people who often go unnoticed but play a critical role in the success of ADFEST. According to Kem, the festival is not just about celebrating the best and brightest in the advertising industry, but also about recognizing the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Before playing the video, Kem said, “From the bottom of my heart, I would like to thank the team behind it all for their dedication, their passion, their commitment, and the sleepless nights. These are the unsung heroes who do their part day in and day out, night in and night out. With their ADFEST jackets on, we see you, we appreciate you, and we thank you. Here’s to all of you.”
Warmly received by the attendees, Kem’s words were a reminder that success is not just about individual achievements, but about the collective effort of a team. ADFEST remains a testament to the power of collaboration and the importance of recognizing the contributions of everyone involved.
adobo Magazine is an official media partner of ADFEST 2023.
Adfest concludes with a special tribute to Jimmy Lam, Lotus Legend 2023
