AFTER the height of the global Covid-19 pandemic, the return of the Philippine MiceCon 2023 sets the standard for future meetings, incentive travel, conventions, exhibitions (Mice) events in Davao Region and the country.
Originally slated in 2020, Davao City was finally able to host the long-awaited MiceConat the SMX Convention Center -Davao on March 1 to 3, 2023 where professionals and global speakers convened to discuss the future of the Mice industry.
Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines Chief Operating Officer (COO) Marga Nograles said this year’s event introduced new activities that weren’t done in the previous editions, such as the Kadayawan Adventure city tour; the Power Glam Makeup Workshop; and the Philippine Mice Youth Challenge where participating students conceptualized their own Mice event.
This year’s MiceCon is also done through a hybrid setup wherein delegates attended on-site sessions and activities while long-distance participants attended online.
At the same time, MiceCon has chosen a beneficiary this year - the Davao Philippine Eagle Foundation.
One of MiceCon’s advocacy is to take steps toward sustainability and minimize environmental impacts. This is achieved through raising awareness of the indigenous communities of Davao City and supporting the Philippine Eagle Center.
"Sustainability is a constant conversion. We also have a lot of global speakers with us here today to teach us more about what sustainability really is and how to trend our path towards that,” Nograles said in a press conference on Thursday, March 2.
Moving forward, local city officials are positive MiceCon 2023 will bring Davao City one step closer to its goal of becoming the preferred Mice destination in the country.
Davao City Vice Mayor J. Melchor Quitain Jr. said the conference sets a productive mood for the rest of the year for Davao City.
“The city is very glad and happy that for the first quarter, we have activities lined up already and one of these is the MiceCon. It would really jumpstart the economy of Davao City for 2023,” he said.
With its abundance of hotels, restaurants, and events’ place, Nograles described Davao City as a business and leisure destination or “bleisure” - a rising global trend in the travel industry.
“In Davao, we present this opportunity because our business district is close to all leisure activities... A typical Mice traveler now is looking for a destination that is meaningful, experiential, and purposeful,” the COO said.
In addition, Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) head Jenifer Romero said Mice events are one of the city's long-term goals for the tourism industry.
The strong partnership between the local government unit and the private sector in Davao City makes for a well-run collaboration that paves the way for such events to be possible and successful.
"Davao City is a prime city to host Mice events. We are trying to strengthen our capacity so that we will be the premier destination for Mice, and we are really MiceCon ready,” Romero said. ICM