AICI Global Meet in Manila Spotlights Image Consulting Boom

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The global image consulting profession took center stage at the Association of Image Consultants International (AICI) Global Conference held from April 24 to 27 at the Makati Shangri-La, highlighting the industry’s rapid growth, rising global demand, and increasing influence in business, politics, and entertainment.

The four-day event gathered 240 professional image consultants from 38 countries including the United States, Canada, Italy, Spain, Brazil, India, and the Philippines, marking the first time the biennial global conference was hosted in Asia.

AICI President Olen Juarez-Lim, a trailblazer in the Philippine image consulting scene and the organization’s first Asian and Filipina president, welcomed the delegates to what she described as “a great exchange of knowledge, networking and good vibes across cultures.”

“The conference was a valuable platform for our local image consultants to gain international recognition, promote their work, and get experience for continued professional development,” Lim said.

Themed “Weaving the Future: Global Collaborations for Breakthrough Innovations,” the conference focused on the evolving demands of image management and personal branding in the digital age.

The industry, currently valued at USD 4.5 billion, is projected to grow at a 7.2% annual rate and reach USD 7.32 billion by 2032, according to figures shared by The Image Educator on Threads.

The profession’s growing importance lies in its ability to shape how individuals and organizations are perceived—an edge in today’s hypercompetitive corporate, political, and entertainment landscapes.

Attendees immersed themselves in over 40 sessions spanning fashion and styling, communication skills, body language, etiquette, digital presence, executive coaching, and online reputation management.

Speakers included global entrepreneur Paulo Tibig, digital branding expert and TV personality Amber Renae, Vogue editor Bea Valdes, and relational skills specialist Kara Finney.

Beyond professional development, the event showcased Filipino culture through fashion, cuisine, and music, fostering camaraderie and appreciation for the country’s creative heritage.

Lim, also the founder and president of OJL Consulting Group, emphasized that the integration of Filipino values and hospitality gave the global gathering a uniquely local character.

“There were meaningful exchanges about trends, technology, and new practices in the most diverse representation of AICI chapters in our organization’s history ever,” she said.

The conference reflected a broader trend: growing global interest in personal branding, with businesses and individuals seeking tailored, strategic image coaching to increase influence and marketability.

Holistic personal branding—spanning appearance, communication, and online presence—has become critical for leaders, entrepreneurs, and public figures seeking to stand out and earn trust.

Image consultants are now working across industries, helping clients manage their public personas in media, corporate boardrooms, digital platforms, and even political campaigns.

The demand has surged further with the rise of digital platforms where reputation can be built—or broken—overnight.

AICI, founded in 1990, now has chapters in 38 countries and members in more than 60 nations, making it the largest and most influential professional association for image consultants worldwide.

The global conference is held every two years and last convened in Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, in 2023.

The Manila event marked a strategic milestone as AICI expanded its footprint in Asia, a region where demand for image consulting services is steadily increasing.

“The power of image consultants to shape perception is now recognized as a game changer in today’s branding-driven world,” Lim added.

Citing the Philippines’ potential to lead in Asia’s creative industries, she called for stronger support and recognition for image consulting as both a business and a profession.

Local practitioners view the conference as a launchpad for regional collaboration, mentorship, and raising awareness of the profession’s value among businesses, government agencies, and educational institutions.

With industry forecasts signaling robust growth, AICI’s global gathering in Manila reaffirmed the Philippines’ position as an emerging hub for image consultancy and personal branding innovation.

Organizers said the next step is to expand the visibility of image consulting services at the grassroots level, empower more Filipino professionals, and integrate the discipline into leadership development, HR training, and entrepreneurship programs.

“We’re proud to have hosted this milestone event,” Lim said.

“And we hope this becomes the catalyst for more Filipinos to see image consulting as a viable, impactful, and respected profession.”