After a decade, the Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON) is returning to Davao City, showcasing the region’s rich culture, stunning natural environments, vast culinary offerings, and vibrant hospitality to a global audience. The three-day convention will take place from March 1-3, 2023, at the SMX Convention Center in SM Lanang Premier, with over 600 participants from the tourism and business events sector expected to attend.
MICECON 2023 is the biggest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions, and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country. It will bring together a special mix of local and foreign delegates in the MICE industry to learn about different global trends on business meetings, witness the beautiful sceneries of the premier city of the south, and provide networking opportunities with both local and international MICE experts. The City Government of Davao, the Department of Tourism (DOT), and its marketing arm, the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, are collaborating to make this event possible.
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. The city is home to 11 indigenous tribes and has a rising expat 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 that tourists crave for, Davao City is an ideal bleisure destination.
Davao City continues to grow its capacity as a MICE destination with more venues and accommodations for conventions, as well as professionals who exhibit the best quality of hospitality, diversity, peace, and stability that the Philippines has to offer. MICECON 2023 is a great opportunity to showcase Davao City’s potential as a MICE destination to the world and promote the city’s unique blend of business and leisure travel experiences.
A global panel joins MICECON 2023
MICECON 2023 is set to focus on sustainability, inclusivity, and legacy as the central themes of the conference. The Tourism Promotions Board Philippines has received the Sustainability Leader of the Year for 2022 award in the TripZilla Excellence Awards. Bago and Sagay cities in Negros Occidental have also been nominated for the Green Destinations Story Awards, while the City of Dreams Manila hotels bagged the ASEAN Green Hotel Award. These global recognitions showcase the country’s efforts towards becoming a sustainable leisure, MICE, and investment destination.
The conference’s panel of speakers includes Pacific Asia Travel Association President Liz Ortiguera, who will lead the first plenary on global travel industry trends for 2023. Filipina global advocate for sustainability and President/CEO of the Society for Sustainable Tourism and Development Susan Cardenas will follow, discussing how to integrate sustainability into conventions and exhibitions. Keynote speaker and Founder of Pathwayz Group, Amber Venderburg, will conduct a breakout lecture on the first day and later address the plenary on the second day to talk about legacy as the MICE industry moves forward.
A series of advertising and media executives will share communication and storytelling techniques to help participants cope with communication gaps for their events and promotions. Confirmed speakers include Peng Ee Ooi, the Publisher of the TTG Tourism Group, Ron Jabal, CEO of PAGEONE Group, and Alan Elliot Merschen, founder of The SIGMUND Project and a partner for International Insights under MMGY Global.
Margarita Montemayor Nograles, Chief Operating Officer of the Tourism Promotions Board Philippines, shares, “We are proud to have a strong panel of speakers for this year’s MICECON. This is our commitment to our MICE stakeholders to provide access to the best and most relevant information that will help upskill their teams and revisit our world-renowned Filipino standard of service as we cater to a new and better normal in the tourism sector.”
The conference program also includes a personal development segment to help tourism front-liners with power dressing, featuring Philippine weaves. This workshop will showcase modern ways of incorporating the country’s cultural heritage into apparel and how it can be showcased with fashion-forward designs and uses, while preserving the art of weaving. The workshop will be conducted by co-founder of STYLEdit Group and top fashion stylist, Kat Cruz-Villanueva.
Finally, the evaluation of bidding proposals for the hosting of MICECON 2024 will be integrated into the three-day conference. A panel from the Department of Tourism, Tourism Promotions Board Philippine, and the MICE Advisory Council, composed of private and public sector representatives, will evaluate the proposals’ criteria, including logistics support, engagement of local stakeholders, and infrastructure capacity to host the event.
Social responsibility integrating sustainability and legacy
MICECON’s commitment to corporate social responsibility remains at the forefront, with this year’s event taking place at the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos, Davao City. In line with the industry’s focus on sustainability in tourism, MICECON participants will visit the sanctuary to raise awareness about preserving endangered species, particularly the Philippine Eagle. The center welcomes donations to expand its care for more animals and to continue breeding the Philippine Eagle.
“Our corporate social responsibility initiative integrates sustainability and legacy by encouraging delegates to participate in the conservation of the Philippine Eagle through eco-travel elements such as community immersions, working on nature reserves or engaging in conservation work,” said Nograles.
MICECON 2023 is made possible with the support of various sponsors, including Canadian Tourism and Hospitality Institute, Cebu Pacific, Cvent, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., Duty Free Philippines, Engkanto Brewery, Eudoo Technologies, Hotel 101, MAC Cosmetics Philippines, Philippine Airlines, and TIEZA.
Delightful treats and entertainment activities will also be available to guests, courtesy of sponsors such as the Department of Tourism Region XI and Waterfront Insular Hotel for the Welcome Dinner; Villa Margarita for the first day; Agriya, Panorama Summit Hotel, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Discovery Samal, Acacia Hotel, Royal Mandaya Hotel, and Rogen Inn for the second day; and Annipie Bakery Cafe, Davao Region Cacao Development Council, Cacao City, Davao Bakers Club, Inc., Phil. Baking Institute, Maan’s Bakery, Davao Region Coffee Council, Coffee for Peace, and Dusit D2 Davao for the last day of activities.
Furthermore, venue-related and logistical sponsors are Al-ag Group of Companies, Habi at Kape, Holiday Group, Holiday Tours, Invex Philippines, JVA Group of Companies, M. Tanoy Concepts, MGCP Steelworks and Allied Services, Mr & Mrs B, Park Inn by Radisson, PLDT Enterprise, Seda Abreeza Hotel, SM Lanang Premier, SMX Convention Center, The Ritz Hotel at Garden Oases, and Zegen Management Group.
Finally, the event’s success is also due to the generous support and contributions of the 1st Congressional District of Davao City, Aboitiz, Alsons Development and Investment Corp., Anchor Land, Davao City Water District, Land Bank of the Philippines, Mr. & Mrs. Jose Claro H. Velez, PAGCOR, PBA Partylist, PHINMA Property Holdings Corporation, Sta. Lucia Land, Inc., Uratex, and Vista Land.
Check out www.tpb.gov.ph for more information.
