THE Mandaue Business Month (MBM) 2023 was launched on Thursday, July 20, 2023, and business leaders aim to use the event as a platform for digital adoption, as enterprises must stay on top of their game amid changes in the market brought by the internet.
Kelie Ko, president of the Mandaue Chamber of Commerce and Industry (MCCI), said businesses must adopt technology or else everyone will perish.
“This is the new era. If you don’t digitalize, then you die,” said Ko, quoting Ana Maria Aboitiz-Delgado, senior executive vice president and chief customer experience officer, as well as chief digital channels officer of UnionBank of the Philippines.
“Some people think digitalization is expensive. Some think digitalization is difficult. But what we are trying to do is tell them that it might not be and resources are available,” he added.
Ko led the launching of the start of MBM 2023 activities on Thursday, July 20, 2023, at the City Sports Club Cebu in Cebu City. This year’s MBM carries the theme, “Empowering Business for the New Era.”
Mandaue’s potential
For his part, MBM 2023 chairman Mark Anthony Ynoc invited the business community to join them in various events starting from August to October 2023, as these will showcase Mandaue’s potential as business haven and world-class industries that continue to contribute to the city’s economic development.
“We are indeed entering into a new era. Technology has ushered these changes and there is a need to equip business to cope up with the challenges. New business models, artificial intelligence, changing geopolitical landscape and borderless economies are becoming a norm and we have to face them head-on,” Ynoc said in his speech.
MBM 2023 will again feature its flagship programs—the Business Summit on August 23, at Marco Polo Plaza Cebu in Nivel Hills, Cebu City and the Business Seminar on August 24 at the City Sports Club Cebu. The summit will include relevant and crucial presentations from key industry players, highlighting successful business ventures and innovative strategies that will propel further Mandaue City’s
economy.
This year’s presentations will focus on the “digital takeover” and how businesses must adopt the online shift in the travel industry in a post-pandemic world.
Other events
MBM 2023 will also feature the Sugbo Negosyo Exhibit on August 16-20 at SM Seaside City Cebu at the South Road Properties. It will be held in collaboration with the Cebu Provincial Government and the Department of Trade and Industry.
The other events include Tree Brew Life, Lord of the Pins (a bowling tournament) on August 17-19; MCCI Talent Fest, Property and Investment Expo, and MCCI Chamber Night in later dates.
There is also the return of Bakery World Cebu, the biggest bakery and food service exhibit in the Visayas this year. MCCI last hosted the event in 2018, and it is expecting 187 exhibitors and around 800-1,000 delegates to join this year’s event that will be held at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino on September 14, 15 and 16.
“There will be seminars on food safety and how to use new processes and technologies. We will have a photographer to the stars and a food photographer to teach us about food photography,” Ko said.
MCCI has invited a seasoned keynote speaker and travel trend spotter, Sarah Mathews of Trip Advisor for the Asia Pacific region, and she will present the latest data on most of Asia’s tourist spots and their conversation, according to Ko. One of Matthews’ published suggestions for the Philippines was that the country must always stay authentic to its own culture to attract tourists and keep them coming back.
Unlike some countries that use artificial schemes to elevate their rankings, Ko said tourist spots must be improved and fully equipped to help small and micro entrepreneurs. (EHP WITH CNU INTERN HAZEL FAITH SAYMO AND NWSSU INTERN JURALYN BESO BALDOMARO)