Friday, November 23, 2007 RP rejoins Asian ‘Mice’ group after l0 years
AFTER more than 10 years of absence, the Philippine’s meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) industry has revived its participation and membership to the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Association (Afeca).
Afeca is an organization of Mice industry leaders in Asia. It was organized to give Asia a voice in the Mice global industry.
“They (Afeca members) looked for us because the Philippines is a founding member and we were gone. Just this year, we are back,” said Marissa Nallana, chairperson of the Philippine Association for Conventions, Exhibit Organizers and Suppliers (Paceo).
Nallana attended the recent Afeca annual general meeting and the 2007 Asian Mice leaders forum held last Sept. 25 to 27 in Taipei, Taiwan.
She said the country’s revival to Afeca, through Paceo, is a joint effort of the organization and the Department of Tourism.
The annual activities gathered Mice industry leaders to build upon the increasing popularity and improving infrastructure in the Asian region toward becoming the world’s leading Mice destination via knowledge sharing and networking.
Nallana said it is important for the country to join Asia’s Mice industry loop, saying the “money is in Mice.”
“It is a very big global industry in itself. Mice can contribute so much to the economy because it has a multiplier effect. It is not just about tourism. It benefits all the other industries, from food to attracting investors,” she said.
Asia is now gaining popularity as a Mice destination, which has been enjoyed by Europe and the United States.
Nallana said the Philippines is ahead of other countries in Asia in terms of technology and know-how. “But we are behind in terms of infrastructure,” she added.
For Cebu, she said the Cebu International Convention Center is already “good enough” to attract international conventions and exhibitions.
She said Afeca is studying the possibility of holding one of its meetings in Cebu. (PR)
