MORE than 600 on-site delegates and 100 online participants attended the three-day Philippine MiceCon 2023 (Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, Exhibitions Conference) hosted by Davao City at the SMX Convention Center Davao from March 1 to 3, 2023.

The roster of participants includes business professionals in the Mice industry and foreign participants and speakers. Davao City Tourism Operations (CTOO) Jennifer Romero said they have prepared hosted tours around the city for the delegates.

"This MiceCon is a very great opportunity for us to really push our bid that Davao City can host big events from here on," Romero said in an interview with the media on March 2.

The city has been preparing for the MiceCon since 2019 when it won the bidding. Romero said the city wanted to host the event since it will generate revenue that local establishments in the city can benefit from.

“For the turnout of the attendees, this can help stimulate the economic growth of the city and with the speakers and delegates coming from within and outside the Philippines, this can create awareness for Davao City,” the CTOO head said.

Davao City Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. said that Davao City’s culture of security and more than 100 percent anti-Covid-19 vaccination coverage ensures safety and security while holding the MiceCon.

He added that these reasons are also what makes Davao City a strong option for organizers to hold their Mice events in the future.

"It is crucial that we make sure everybody is fully vaccinated and booster shots are already given. That is the only time we can declare and open the doors of the city for all visitors coming from outside,” Quitain said.

With the goal to become the preferred MICE hub in the country and in Asia, Romero mentioned that public and private partnership is needed to make future events a success, similar to the success of the MiceCon 2023. (ICM)