THRIVE 2026 was my first international conference, and I couldn’t have asked for a better introduction to the global public relations community. I am deeply grateful for the opportunity that my team at the Promise Foundation offered me. Attending this immersion as a delegate was truly enriching. From the moment I arrived in Colombo, I knew this would be an experience that will stay with me for years to come.
Colombo surprised me in the best possible way—vibrant, welcoming, and full of character. The conference venue, Cinnamon Life, made the experience even more special. The sessions were held in the Celestine Ballroom, a stunning, glass-enclosed space with landscape views overlooking the Lake, the city skyline, and the Indian Ocean in the background. Spending two days fully immersed in sessions—taking notes, absorbing insights, and adding depth to my understanding of the profession—was made even more fulfilling thanks to a great cohort of fellow learners Learning in a space where ideas unfolded against such an expansive backdrop quietly elevated the entire experience.
The conference officially began on the evening of March 12 with welcome dinner at ITC Ratnadipa Hotel, specifically at the Avartana restaurant. The seven-course meal was truly one of a kind, but what stood out even more was the time it gave me—unhurried hours to interact, exchange ideas, and observe how communication leaders engage when seated across a table rather than facing a screen. Those conversations helped me connect on a more human level and set the tone for stronger engagement and bond over the next two days. The launch of Aspire the book was the highlight of the evening. Look out for my review of the book.
The immersion opened with an insightful session by Sandra Stahl on Future-proofing Public Relations Strategies. Her session was sharp, structured, and forward-looking, offering a practical point of view that felt very relevant in today’s evolving communications scenario.
The Asia Outlook panel, featuring Arun Sudhaman, Vineet Handa (India), Ana Pista (Philippines), and Rezani Aziz (Sri Lanka), highlighted the diversity of PR practices across the region. This was followed by How the World Looks at South Asia, a candid discussion between Arun Sudhaman, Preeti Gupta, and Neha Mehrotra, exploring global perceptions with honesty and clarity.
Amit Narayan delivered a highly practical masterclass on risk and crisis management, grounded firmly in real-world experience. Initially this session felt heavy to me but as the talk progressed it became easier to absorb and understand. The felicitation of the 30 TCCT members that followed was a moving reminder that strong professional communities are built by people.
The evening was truly the cherry on the cake. Dinner at Bistro was relaxed, fun, and exactly what we needed after a packed day of sessions. It was one of those easy evenings filled with great music, free-flowing conversations, and some incredibly talented people from the conference. It was where we laughed, sang and grooved a little. Live singing from some of the participants was stunning.
The final day featured an insightful session by Rohan Samarajiva. This was followed by, what was, for me, the most memorable session of the conference—Sree Sreenivasan’s AI Masterclass. Interactive and immediately actionable, it reframed AI as a present-day tool reshaping public relations.
As THRIVE 2026 came to a close, it felt less like an ending and more like a beginning. As my first international conference, it has set a benchmark—not just in content, but in reaffirming the value of being present, listening closely, and learning together.
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