Camella, the leading and preferred real estate developer in the country, participated in the recently concluded MICE CON 2023 in Davao City. M.I.C.E CON 2023, entitled MICEConverge: BLAZE NEW TRAILS, marked the return of MICECON to Davao City after a decade. The event showcased the region’s rich culture, natural environment, culinary offerings, and hospitality to a global audience.
With the support of the Davao City Government, the Department of Tourism, and its marketing arm, the Tourist Promotions Board (TPB) Philippines, the conference was held last March 1-3, and was hosted at the SMX Convention Center at SM Lanang Premier. Close to 600 delegates from the tourist and business events industry attended the much-anticipated event.
MICECON 2023 is the largest gathering of Meetings, Incentive Travel and Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE) professionals in the country, bringing together local and international delegates to learn about the different global trends in business meetings, experience the beautiful scenery of the premier city of the south, and network with both the local and international MICE experts. Moreover, Corporate social responsibility has always been MICECON’s guiding principle.
The Philippine M.I.C.E. Conference (MICECON) returned to Davao City after ten years to promote the region’s rich culture, breathtaking natural settings, broad culinary offers, and warm hospitality to a global audience.
Among the plethora of vital and relevant topics discussed during the conference is the emergence of “bleisure,” or as the name implies, a combination of business and leisure travel, a fast-growing trend in the business meetings industry.
Davao exemplifies the country’s bleisure hotspots due to its diverse cultural and entertainment options for work travelers. There are eleven indigenous tribes in Davao and a growing ex-pat population of diverse backgrounds, expertise and business propositions.
Davao City is blessed with magnificent beaches, incredible dive sites, abundant flora and fauna, the freshest and highest-quality produce, and delectable cuisines that travelers look for in a destination.
It also continues to expand its capability as a MICE destination by adding new venues and hotels for conventions, as well as professionals who demonstrate the Philippines’ warm hospitality, cultural diversity, peace, and stability.
MICECON DELEGATES FETED TO DAVAO’S BEST
As a result of the industry’s push to emphasize sustainability in its tourism operations, MICECON delegates were invited to the Philippine Eagle Center in Barangay Malagos in an effort to raise awareness about the preservation of its critically endangered species.
The facility encourages donations as it continues to extend its care for additional animal species and Philippine Eagle breeding. They emphasized their commitment to promoting sustainability while simultaneously presenting the Philippines as a top vacation destination.
TPB COO Maria Margarita Montemayor Nograles stated, “With our CSR initiatives at the Philippine Eagle Center, we wish to motivate citizens to travel wisely.” The event was also supported by Cebu Pacific, Philippine Airlines, Abbott Laboratories, Hotel 101, Eudoo Technologies, Destileria Limtuaco & Co., Inc., and the Engkanto Brewery.
Villa Margarita, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, DOT Region XI, Agriya and Pearl Farm, Royal Mandaya Hotel, Acacia Hotel and Rogen Inn, Discovery Samal, and the Mayor’s Night sponsored by the City Government of Davao, SM Lanang Premier, and Zegen Management Group provided a sampling of Davaoeños delightful cuisine on the first and second day of the convention.
At the conclusion of the conference, Vice President Sara Duterte, along with Department of Tourism Secretary Christina Garcia Frasco, graced the event. The festivity was capped with a farewell dinner hosted by the Davao Area Cacao Council and Annipie Bakery Cafe, Dusit D2 Hotel and Davao Region Coffee Council, Maan’s Bakeshop and TPB.
By hosting MICECON 2023, Davao rekindled links with its tourism stakeholders, forged new connections, and established itself as a leading MICE destination.
Next year’s MICE Conference is slated in Clark, Pampanga.
