Tuesday, June 17, 2008
Espina: Converge in Cebu
By Mila C. Espina
In my diary
WHY converge? For the past 17 years, the Cebu Business Month (CBM), evolving from a mere weeklong event, has sustained its goal of gathering stakeholders to promote Cebu as the Tourism hub for entrepreneurship and investment, education, arts and culture; trade and technology.
This year CBM sees action again with the slogan, Converge In Cebu! What are the activities in store for all of us? After the colorful opening salvo on June 6 (and sponsored by Ayala), the following events will showcase the best of Cebu: June 12-13, Suroy Suroy in Midwest Cebu; the Grand Expo on June 21-24; Go, Negosyo on June 20; SME clinic on June 21-24; the information and communication technology events on June 23-24; Shop and Dine Cebu, Business in Golf on June 24; and the Grand Chamber Awards on June 30.
Tourism has always been the permeating channel in highlighting all the events. On June 25-26, the Tourism Congress 2008, after so many years of looking out to the world to market, Cebu goes back to the basics and looks into the human infrastructures to sustain better delivery of services. Sometimes we hear tourists saying “Cebu has wonderful beaches and landmarks, but we wish we had better tour guides; or, honest drivers; or world-class services and personnel!” We took the cue and coined the slogan Excel, Cebu! Interactive discussions will focus on capability building in various industries: airline, resort/hotels, tour agencies; academe; local government units; event management, call centers, among others.
How ready is Cebu to tackle medical tourism, sports/wellness/spa, shopping tourism, film/entertainment; outsourcing and English proficiency, adventure tourism; architectural/real estate tourism and souvenir packaging? The participation of the youth in promoting the culture of tourism will be realized in the Search For The Ambassador/Ambassadress of Business and Industry slated on June 26 at 2:30-6 p.m., where 12 finalists face a panel of media and businessmen interviewers. To make the Tourism Congress accessible to many, seminar fee is only P500, inclusive of lunch and snacks and chance to win raffle prizes, like, round trip tickets to Asian destination courtesy of Philippine Airlines, Cebu Pacific and tokens from Northwest Airlines, Korean Air, Continental Airlines, gift certificates from Shangri-La, Plantation Bay, Marco Polo Hotel, Hilton, Parklane, Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino, Eddie’s Hotel and Cebu City Marriott Hotel which will also be the hosts for the speakers of Tourism Congress and Go, Negosyo. The Tourism Congress all these years has been in partnership with the Province and City Of Cebu and the Department of Tourism in tandem with Commission on Higher Education (Ched 7), Cebu Visitors and Convention Bureau and Hotel, Restaurant and Resort Association. Invited to deliver the keynote speech are Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia for the June 25 opening and Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph Ace Durano for the June 25 Welcome lunch hosted by DOT.
Special messages will be given by Ambassador Francisco Benedicto and DOT 7 Director Patria Aurora Roa.
The resource speakers who already confirmed their participation are: Jaime Bautista, COO, Philippine Airlines (PAL); Manny Gonzalez, president, Plantation Bay; Consul Bobby Joseph; Jose Yulo, COO, PETCO; Raymond Bragg, Shangri-La’s Mactan Island Resort & Spa; Matt Lubetich, Bigfoot; OSCAR TUASON, Cebu Doctors’ University; Joey Reyes, PowerSpeak; Board Member Agnes Magpale, Dr. Delia Mediano, PowerDevelopment; Andrew King, country director, IDP-Philds.; Dr.enrique Grecia, Ched 7; Angel Bognot; Joy Dompor, Serenity Spa; Johnny Lim, Body and Soul; Consul Armi Garcia; Thelma San Juan, lifestyle editor, Philippine Daily Inquirer.
The panel of judges for the Search for Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) Envoys: For the Ambassadress: Nelia G. Neri, (Sunstar.Cebu), Chris Lebumfacil, (PAL), Roy Abraham (Marriott), Francis Monera (CCCI) and Harley Ruedas (Clothes for Life). For the Ambassador: Isah Red (Manila Standard Today), Candice Iyog (Cebu Pacific), Honey Loop (Phil. Star), Jerry Intig (Globe), Lydia Castillo (Phil. Starweek), and Hans Hauri (Marco Polo).
Moderators and hosts are Ricky Poca, Marissa Nallana, Melanie Ng, Aissa de la Cruz, Marget Villarica, Cecille Saa, Bruce Bollozos, Rachel del Mar, Jenny Franco, Ricky Tio, and Fr. Dan de los Angeles. The Tourism Team also includes Lita Urbina, Dr. Carlyn de la Pena and Prof. Efren Bucalito of Ched 7, Alice Fernandez, Marisol Barria, Cherrypie Callelero, Marilou Pintor, Ma-an Solomon, Stella Bernabe, Aida Uy and Nonie Uy.
For Bisaya stories from Cebu. Click here. (June 17, 2008 issue)
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