CBM takes off

Cebu business leaders reached out their hands to touch a lighted globe mounted on a stage in the opening salvo of the celebration of Cebu Business Month on Wednesday evening.

The gesture showed the commitment of the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) in line with this year’s theme “Cebu Beyond Boundaries.”
A photo display “My Cebu Gallery” with the chamber’s achievements was opened at Ayala Center Cebu in the morning.

The kick-off rites in the mall were led by this year’s CBM overall chairman Virgilio G. Espeleta and other officers, with a performance by Cebu-born singer Vina Morales.

Cebuanos can expect a full month of forums about entrepreneurship, Espeleta said in his opening speech.

The highlight is the Cebu ICT and BPO Conference on June 8 at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

A forum on “Emerging Industries: How We See the Future” will be held on June 16 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino.

The First Cebu Creative Industries Summit on June 21 to 22 is spearheaded by the Department of Trade and Industry led by Provincial Director Nelia Navarro.
A June 24-25 Tourism Congress and the Cebu Regional Retail Conference on June 29 will be held at the Radisson Blu Hotel.

Other events include a Business-in-Golf session on June 17, Entrepinoys on June 23 to 26 at SM City Cebu, a Go Negosyo Seminar, Job Fair, Financial Literacy seminar, and forum on multiplying businesses through franchising as well as a seminar on how to build an entrepreneurial organization on June 25.
Maria Teresa Chan, tourism head for this year’s event, said the Tourism Congress will acquaint local stakeholders with new directions like the Open Skies policy recently approved by Aquino administration.

The ICT and BPO committee is headed by Jerry Rapes with Jun Saa and Anthony Noel as co-chairmen.