After 10 years, the Philippine M.I.C.E.Conference (MICECON) returns to Davao City where it will showcase the region’s rich culture, stunning natural environments, vast culinary offerings, and vibrant hospitality to a global audience. The convention will be held at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier on 1-3 March 2023 with over 600 participants from the tourism and business events sector.


The MICECON 2023 is the biggest gathering of the Meetings, Incentive Travel and Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country bringing together a special mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about the different global trends in business meetings, witness the beautiful sceneries of the premier city of the south, and invite them for networking opportunities with both the local and international MICE experts. This is in collaboration with the City Government of Davao, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines.


One of the key developments in the business meetings industry is the rise of “bleisure” or combining business and leisure travel experiences. Davao stands as a shining example of the country’s bleisure destinations with its varied cultural and entertainment offerings for business travelers. Davao is home to 11 indigenous tribes and has a rising ex-pat population from varied religious and cultural backgrounds. Blessed with pristine beaches, amazing dive spots, an abundance of flora and fauna, the freshest and quality produce, and delicious cuisines which tourists crave for, Davao City is an ideal bleisure destination. It also continues to grow its capacity as a MICE destination with more venues and accommodations for conventions as well as professionals who show the Philippines’ best quality of hospitality, diversity, peace and stability.


Corporate social responsibility is always at the core of MICECON. This year will be at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Davao City. Flowing from the industry’s thrust to highlight sustainability in its tourism efforts, MICECON delegates will visit the sanctuary in the hopes of raising awareness of the preservation of critically endangered species housed in the Philippine Eagle Center. The center welcomes donations as it continues to expand its care for more animal species and breeding of Philippine Eagles.


"We, at TPB are dedicated to promoting sustainability while simultaneously marketing the Philippines as a top travel destination. We constantly make sure to practice sustainable tourism because we gain from both positive and negative impacts on our environment. Through our CSR at the Philippine Eagle Center, we hope to inspire individuals to travel responsibly”, said TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.



The event is made possible with the support of the following sponsors: Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Abbott Laboratories, Hotel 101, Eudoo Technologies, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., and the Engkanto Brewery. 


Delicious treats and some entertainment activities will also delight the guests at the conference courtesy of the following sponsors: Villa Margarita, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao and DOT Region XI on the first day; and Agriya and Pearl Farm, Royal Mandaya Hotel, Acacia Hotel, and Rogen Inn, Discovery Samal and the Mayor’s night by the City Government of Davao and SM Lanang Premier and Zegen Management Group on the second day. Davao Region Cacao Council & Annipie Bakery Cafe, Dusit D2 Hotel and Davao Region Coffee Council, Maan’s Bakeshop, and TPB for the Farewell Dinner will cap the last day of activities.


Through Davao’s hosting of MICECON 2023, it is expected to renew ties with its tourism stakeholders, make new connections, and position itself as a key MICE destination.


Check out www.micecon.ph for more information.

 The Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines and the Department of Tourism (DOT) expect to welcome more foreign visitors to the Philippines after successfully generating over 100M Philippine pesos in sales leads and showcasing the country’s best offerings at the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) held from 02 to 05 February 2023 in Yogyakarta, Indonesia.

 

The ATF is the biggest annual tourism event in the ASEAN region, attracting key tourism stakeholders including policymakers, industry leaders, and tourism-related service providers. This year, the Philippine delegation was represented by 16 local exhibitors from the airline industry, tour operators, and accommodations to network and engage with 115 international buyers at the ATF Travel Exchange (TRAVEX).

 

“Over and above our impressive turnout in the number of sales leads, I am in much awe of how the participation and performance of the Philippines depicted the excellence and heart of the Filipino brand which truly brought the best of the country to the ASEAN region,” said TPB Chief Operating Officer Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.



The Philippine pavilion showcased the country’s rich cultural heritage and award-winning destinations such as Boracay, Cebu, and Palawan, as well as Kaulayaw Coffee sampling and a dynamic cultural martial arts performance from the Lapu-Lapu Arnis de Abanico who displayed the vigor and energy so symbolic of the resurgence of the Philippine Tourism Industry.

 



Philippine sellers and foreign delegates also had a taste of Philippine cuisine and culture through a hosted luncheon prepared by the Grand Rohan Jogja hotel which also featured a Filipino Martial Arts (FMA) cultural performance along with a musical medley by Filipino world-class talents.


Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco welcomed the guests to the event with an invitation to explore the country’s various tourism products, “We aim to give you the best of the Filipino to remind you that while the Philippines continues to be a top-of-mind destination all over the world, there is also so much more to our beaches, our dive sites, our mountain ranges, and our underground rivers. There's our food, our living cultural traditions, and many many components that give you a window into the soul of the Filipino,” said Tourism Secretary Frasco.


Meanwhile, the Philippines garnered prestige during the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards, which recognized outstanding tourism businesses and destinations in the region that have complied with the international association’s tourism standards.



The recipients were Inandako's Bed and Breakfast, Gina’s Homes, Sid Homestay, Hide Away House, and Maryhilz Homestay for ASEAN Homestay Awardees; Cordillera Convention Hall, William Tan Enterprises Inc. (Caltex Irawan), DEU 818 Corporation (High Ridge Restaurant), and Shell OGI at Northwalk 2, City Environment and Management Office (Botanical Garden and Wright Public Toilets) bagged the ASEAN Public Toilet Award; Palaui Environmental Protectors Association (PEPA) received the ASEAN community-based tourism citation; while the Clinic at the Hilton Clark and Quan Spa at the Clark Marriott Hilton were recognized as winners of the ASEAN Spa Services.

 

TPB is keen to participate in the ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 to be hosted by Laos.



 Located in the southern part of the Philippines and the center for development in Mindanao, Davao City is hosting this year’s MICECON once again after 10 years. The conference is deemed an effective way to restart and boost economic and tourism activities, not only in the Davao region but also in the rest of the Philippines and the world.


The Department of Tourism (DOT) through the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB) and the City Government of Davao spearhead the M.I.C.E Conference (MICECON), the largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country to be held on March 1 to 3 at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier. 


“Davao’s hosting of the MICECON will provide a tremendous boost to the city’s tourism industry and a huge step towards its own vision of making Davao a preferred MICE destination not only in the Philippines but in Asia”, said TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles.


With the theme, “MICEConverge: Blaze New Trails,” the three-day conference will serve as a gateway to provide more business opportunities and strengthen ties with domestic and international stakeholders. It is a hybrid event expected to bring in 500 in-person delegates and up to 2,000 online participants from here and abroad. 


Highlights of the event include the MICE Youth Challenge, Power Dressing and Glam Makeup Sessions and Workshops where Davao’s finest tourism and product services will be on full display with the sub-themes, “Celebrating Nature”, “Celebrating Diversity” and “Celebrating Travel and Technology.”


First MICE Youth Challenge in Davao


The first and much-awaited Philippine MICE Youth Challenge will take place on March 1 during MICECON 2023. It is a national contest for students who are enrolled or have recently completed the MICE Management or Business Events Class in a Philippine-based university. This activity gives contestants the opportunity to conceptualize and present an event business plan that will be reviewed by a select panel of MICE experts to deepen their knowledge about industry practices. 


This initiative aims to foster a culture of creativity and excellence among the participants and serve as a learning platform to better equip them to become MICE professionals. It was conceptualized by the Philippine MICE powerhouses who are members of the Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers, Inc. (PACEOS) and the Philippine MICE Academy.


The participants of this challenge will be judged by esteemed representatives from the Center for International Trade Expositions and Missions (CITEM), the Hotel Sales and Marketing Association (HSMA), and the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI).


The winners of the challenge will win up to PhP 15,000 plus tokens and the chance to compete at the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Asia MICE Youth Challenge.


For more information about the event, visit www.micecon.ph.




Located in the scenic city of Tagaytay, Taal Vista Hotel is a destination that offers a peaceful escape from the hustle and bustle of city life, providing its guests with breathtaking views of Taal Volcano. The hotel is perfect for couples, families, and travelers seeking a relaxing holiday surrounded by nature.