Organisers of the Asia Pacific Advertising Festival (ADFEST) have announced that next year’s festival will take place March 18-20 in Pattaya, Thailand.

The theme of ADFEST 2010 will be ‘Refresh’, celebrating its niche offering as the festival where creative professionals can exchange ideas and admire award-winning campaigns in a tropical location, perfectly suited to networking, gathering ideas and recharging.

Jimmy Lam, president of ADFEST, said: “Every year, people arrive at ADFEST looking for inspiration and they leave feeling refreshed, re-energised and full of ideas. This is vital to the health of our industry: creative professionals must receive regular doses of creative stimulation or they risk losing their edge. ADFEST is the world’s only festival where delegates can relax by the pool and enjoy Thailand’s famous hospitality while networking with the industry’s most respected creative professionals.

“With the rise of new technologies, challenges and trends, creative professionals are working incredibly long hours to ensure they continually deliver original ideas. But rejuvenating, recharging and refreshing are an invaluable part of the ideas-generation process.”

Vinit Suraphongchai, chairman of ADFEST, added: “2009 was a tough year for many companies, but the global financial recession is old news. Instead of complaining or worrying, the industry must come together to celebrate the agencies, brands, production companies and creative executives who continue to speak to consumers in fresh and exciting ways. That will inspire us to raise the bar again the following year.”

‘Refresh’ complements ADFEST’s permanent tagline – ‘MADE IN ASIA’ – which was introduced at ADFEST 2009. Next year’s event will include seminars, Young Lotus, ADFEST ACADEMY, Fabulous Four, Lotus Award Presentations and the ADFEST 2010 Gala Dinner. Suraphongchai added: “We invite you to attend, meet new friends, admire the Asia Pacific’s best works and leave refreshed and inspired for another year.”