THE 2023 MICECON aims to highlight how strong collaboration between the public and private sector can lead to great things.
From the bidding process down to the nitty gritty of the preparations for the upcoming event, the local government unit and the private tourism sector have been working closely to bring Davao City to host meetings, incentive travel, conferences or conventions, events or exhibits (Mice) to the city.
Cherry Faye Al-ag, Davao Tourism Association president, said the city had bid in 2019 to host MiceCon in 2020. The city won the bid but had to postpone it in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Following the delays due to the pandemic, MiceCon is set on March 1 to 3.
Al-ag said the collaborative efforts of the local government unit and the private sector did not stop in the bidding process to host the convention. This partnership continued within the core organizing committee as both sectors came together to ensure everything would be in place on the event day.
Under the core organizing committee are sub-committees assigned to cater to the specific needs of delegates – from the time they arrive in Davao City until they depart to their respective hometowns.
Al-ag said that each sub-committee has a private sector representative to help lead the committee.
However, the collaboration between the public and private sectors goes beyond MiceCon 2023.
Historically, Davao City’s public and private sectors have been known to work closely together. This has led to the city’s development, allowing it to become an economic powerhouse in the country.
“The private sector [in Davao City] is very engaged and highly participative. They support and help in ways they can because not only are we looking at the business but things for the long term,” Al-ag said.
She said they want the city’s progress to be sustainable, allowing it to preserve the essence of “Life is Here.”
“‘Life is here’ does not only mean doing business but enjoying the quality of life,” Al-ag said.
On the side of the government, Al-ag said they appreciate how it pays attention to and supports the private sector’s initiatives.
She said the MiceCon 2023 is one example of how the government supports the local business community.
“The government made this to provide businesses in the tourism sector an avenue to showcase the [products and] facilities of Davao City,” Al-ag said.
During the duration of MiceCon 2023, delegates are expected to explore the city and its neighboring provinces. They will visit key tourism destinations, eat at local favorites, and buy souvenirs from homegrown brands.
Davao MICECON 2023 would like to extend its gratitude to the following government offices and stakeholders: City Government of Davao, DOT Region XI, Tourism Promotions Board, Waterfront Insular Hotel Davao, Dusit D2 Hotel, SM Lanang Premier, Royal Mandaya Hotel, Acacia Hotel, Rogen Inn, Seda Abreeza Hotel, The Ritz at Garden Oases, Pearl Farm Beach Resort, Discovery Samal, Agriya, Villa Margarita, Davao Region Cacao Council, Mr & Mrs B, Habi at Kape, Davao Region Coffee Council, Annipie Bakery Cafe, Maan’s Bakeshop, and the Zegen Management Group.
