CEBU CITY—Tourism Secretary Alberto Lim and Cebu Gov. Gwendolyn Garcia will lead the world’s industry leaders in opening the three-day Philippine Meetings, Incentives, Conventions and Exhibitions/Events (MICE) Conference 2011 at the Cebu International Convention Center at 9 a.m. today (Thursday).
Garcia will deliver the welcome remarks and Lim the opening message shortly after the opening rites with a powerhouse of MICE experts and guests from the United States, France, Ireland, Australia, Singapore, Malaysia, Taiwan, China, Vietnam and the Philippines.
There are 424 delegates to the conference organized by the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotions Board.
The foreign experts include Asia-Pacific regional director Noor Ahmad Hamid of the International Congress and Convention Association; productivity technology consultant and writer Corbin Ball of Corbin Ball Associates, USA; hospitality management and marketing leader Max Hitchins of Varanu Pty Ltd. and general manager John Peacock of Associations Forum Pty Ltd, Australia; chief executive officer Leslie Choudhury of Dreamz Image International and Sun Island Travel, Singapore; managing director Bill LaViolette of I&MI Media, France; and president Hitesh Mehta of HM Design, USA.
The other speakers are social entrepreneur and co-owner Pacita Juan of ECHOstore Sustainable Lifestyle; Tokyo-based sustainable tourism and hospitality and events management guru Susan Santos Cardenas; national steering committee chair Agnes de Jesus of Small Grants Programme for Biodiversity of the UN Development Program; certified trainer and energy manager Eric Raymundo of the Asean Center for Energy; president and founder Monette Iturralde-Hamlin of TeamAsia; cofounder Carlos M. Libosada Jr. of My Travel Philippines; CEO Hans Eric Chua of Blueblade Technologies; chief marketing officer Tai Parata of Travel Ensogo; president Marisa D. Nallana of Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibitions Organizers and Suppliers; international director Richard Holmes of Meetings and International League Against Epilepsy.