After 10 years, the Philippine M.I.C.E.Conference (MICECON) returns to Davao City where it will showcase the region’s rich culture, stunning natural environments, vast culinary offerings, and vibrant hospitality to a global audience. The convention will be held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier on 1-3 March 2023 with over 600 participants from the tourism and business events sector.
The MICECON 2023 is the biggest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country bringing together a special mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about the different global trends in business meetings, witness the beautiful sceneries of the premier city of the south, and invite them for networking opportunities with both the local and international MICE experts. This is in collaboration with the City Government of Davao, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.
One of the key developments in the business meetings industry is the rise of “bleisure” or combining business and leisure travel experiences. Davao stands as a shining example of the country’s bleisure destinations with its varied cultural and entertainment offerings for business travelers. Davao is home to 11 indigenous tribes and has a rising expat population from varied religious and cultural backgrounds. Blessed with pristine beaches, amazing dive spots, an abundance of flora and fauna, the freshest and quality products, and delicious cuisines which tourists crave, Davao City is an ideal bleisure destination. It also continues to grow its capacity as a MICE destination with more venues and accommodations for conventions as well as professionals who show the Philippines’ best quality of hospitality, diversity, peace, and stability.
A global panel joins MICECON 2023
MICECON 2023 will highlight sustainability, inclusivity and legacy as key themes to discuss in the conference. Global travel guide, TripZilla, awarded the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines as Sustainability Leader of the Year for 2022 in its TripZilla Excellence Awards. The cities of Bago and Sagay in Negros Occidental have been nominated for the Green Destinations Story Awards. In 2022, the City of Dreams Manila hotels bagged the ASEAN Green Hotel Award at the ASEAN Tourism Forum in Cambodia. These global recognitions showcase the country’s efforts towards becoming a key sustainable leisure, MICE and investment destination.
The roster of speakers include Pacific Asia Travel Association President, Liz Ortiguera, who will lead the first plenary and discuss the global trends in the travel industry for 2023. She will be followed by Filipina global advocate for sustainability and President/CEO of the Society for Sustainable Tourism and Development, Susan Cardenas, to delve into how to integrate sustainability in conventions and exhibitions. World-renowned keynote speaker and Founder of Pathwayz Group, Amber Venderburg, will be conducting a breakout lecture on the first day but will later address the plenary on the second day to talk about Legacy as the MICE industry moves forward.
A series of advertising and media executives will share communication and storytelling techniques to help participants cope with the communication gaps for their events and promotions. Among the confirmed speakers are Peng Ee Ooi who is the Publisher of the TTG Tourism Group, Ron Jabal who sits as the CEO of PAGEONE Group, and Alan Elliot Merschen who founded The SIGMUND Project and concurrently serves as a partner for International Insights under MMGY Global.
“We are proud to have a strong panel of speakers for this year’s MICECON. This is our commitment to our MICE stakeholders to provide access to the best and most relevant information that will help upskill their teams and revisit our world-renowned Filipino standard of service as we cater to a new and better normal in the tourism sector,” shares Tourism Promotions Board Philippines Chief Operating Officer, Margarita Montemayor Nograles.
Another innovation in the program is a personal development segment to help tourism frontliners with power dressing featuring Philippine weaves. This puts on the spotlight modern ways of incorporating the country’s cultural heritage in apparel and how it can be showcased with fashion-forward designs and uses, while keeping the spirit of the tradition and preserving the art of weaving. The workshop will be done by the co-founder of STYLEdit Group and top fashion stylist, Kat Cruz – Villanueva.
Integrated in the 3-day conference is the evaluation of the bidding proposals received for the hosting of MICECON 2024. A panel from the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Philippine and the MICE Advisory Council composed of private and public sector representatives will evaluate the proposal if it meets the criteria from logistics support, engagement of local stakeholders, and infrastructure capacity to host the event.
Social responsibility integrating sustainability and legacy
Corporate social responsibility is always at the core of MICECON. This year will be at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Davao City. Flowing from the industry’s thrust to highlight sustainability in its tourism efforts, MICECON delegates will visit the sanctuary in the hopes of raising awareness in the preservation of critically endangered species housed in the Philippine Eagle Center. The center welcomes donations as it continues to expand its care for more animal species and breeding of Philippine Eagles.
“Eco-travel elements such as community immersions, working on nature reserve, protection areas or engaging in conservation work have risen in recent years. In a corporate social responsibility initiative we integrate sustainability and legacy by enjoining our delegates to take part in the conservation of the Philippine Eagle”, said Nograles.
The MICECON event is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, Cebu Pacific, Cvent, Destileria Limtuaco & Co.,Inc., Duty Free Philippines, Engkanto Brewery, Eudoo Technologies, Hotel 101, MAC Cosmetics Philippines, Philippine Airlines, and TIEZA.
Delicious treats and some entertainment activities will also delight the guests at the conference courtesy of the following sponsors: Department of Tourism Region XI and Waterfront Insular Hotel for the Welcome Dinner; Villa Margarita for the first day; Agriya, Panorama Summit Hotel, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Discovery Samal, Acacia Hotel, Royal Mandaya Hotel, and Rogen Inn for the second day; Annipie Bakery Cafe, Davao Region Cacao Development Council, Cacao City, Davao Bakers Club, Inc., Phil. Baking Institute, Maan’s Bakery, Davao Region Coffee Council, Coffee for Peace, and Dusit D2 Davao for the last day of activities.
While venue-related and logistical sponsors are as follows: Al-ag Group of Companies, Habi at Kape, Holiday Group, Holiday Tours, Invex Philippines, JVA Group of Companies, M. Tanoy Concepts, MGCP Steelworks and Allied Services, Mr & Mrs B, Park Inn by Radisson, PLDT Enterprise, Seda Abreeza Hotel, SM Lanang Premier, SMX Convention Center, The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, and Zegen Management Group.
The success of the event is also with the generous support and contributions of 1st Congressional District of Davao City, Aboitiz, Alsons Development and Investment Corp., Anchor Land, Davao City Water District, Land Bank of the Philippines, Mr. & Mrs. Jose Claro H. Velez, PAGCOR, PBA Partylist, PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation, Sta. Lucia Land, Inc., Uratex, and Vista Land.