THE Philippine Building and Construction Expo (Philbex) and Travel and Leisure Expo (Tlex), which are set to open this week, will highlight the latest trends in the construction and tourism sectors.
With Philbex on its 4th-year run and Tlex on its 2nd year, the simultaneous events will be happening from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. on May 10 to 13 at the SMX Convention Center, SM Lanang Premier.
Carmen Grace Pagaras, marketing assistant of Worldbex Services International, said during the Kapehan sa Davao press conference at SM City Davao Monday, May 7, that Philbex aims to encourage construction design professionals, enthusiasts, and other visitors to think outside the box and create innovative products.
The expo, which carries the theme "'Shaping Innovation towards sustainability", will feature interior design and architecture students from universities and colleges in Davao City through its Projeto Davao Furniture Design Competition 2018.
The competition will focus on the “Architecture on Movement" where students will showcase their talents through presentations and exhibitions aiming to create a sustainable design and structure. This aims to address the needs and current concerns of construction industry.
Abaigeal Quiohilag, associate director of Corporate Planning and Special Projects of Worldbex International, said this event only focuses on the finishing products and the beautification side alone of construction including the designs for tiles, walls, ceilings, and of the furniture and fixture.
To date, Philbex Davao has already 200 registered exhibitors from the different cities in the country and is still open for international exhibitors. China and Indonesia have already registered and are going to occupy 10 booths. Most of the products they will showcase are construction finishing products.
Meanwhile, Tlex is eyeing 20,000 attendees this year. As of now, there are already 95 exhibitors for the travel show exluding the exhibitors from the tourism sector of Thailand.
"We only launched the Tlex in Davao because we think that this is a very good venue and Davao International Airport is already catering to the international market, a hub for flights boosting the toursim of the region," Quiohilag said.
Cathay Pacific and Philippine Airlines will also be at Tlex offering discounted airfares. Participating hotels and resorts like Apo View Hotel, Bay View Hotel, Red Planet, and Bohol Beach Club will also be offering great deals to the attendees of Tlex. Enchanted Kingdom and 7 Seas Waterpark will also be exhibiting at the expo.
Quiohilag also said organizing the two events simultaneously in one venue has since helped with more foot traffic since the events have their respective target market. Philbex is targeted towards architects, interior designers, and students while Tlex are more geared towards family, friends, and millennial travelers. (Kent Warren H. Fugoso, FSUU Intern)