Events professionals, business leaders, suppliers, clients and students came together for the Events Asia 2010 Conference and Trade Show on April 28-30, 2010 at the Boracay Eco-village Resort & Convention Center.
Despite the difficulties and challenges encountered by the organizers, The Next Step Events Inc. was able to execute the conference successfully. Ms. Annaliza Bacani Laxamana, President and CEO, The Next Step Events Inc., said, “This is not about me or my company. This is about the booming future of events industry in the Philippines.”
“Events Asia is our way of upgrading the Events Industry in the country, providing event professionals the latest trends, innovations and fresh ideas that will help them keep up with the fast-pacing world of exhibition and events. It was also our way of promoting the Philippines, especially the beautiful island of Boracay, as one of the best alternative venue for hosting an international event in Asia. ”
Participants listened and interacted with best of the best practitioners and experts in Events Industry wordlwide including Mr. Steven Hacker, Mr. Mark Cochrane, Ms. Lara McCulloch Mr. Robert Rogers, Mr. Eduardo Braniff, Mr. Brian Slawin, Mr. Mark Sonders, Mr. Jeffrey Soh, Mr. Steve Tait, Ms. Susan de Cardenas and Mr. Jojo Ajero.
These top-notch speakers talked about strategic topics with focus on pioneering treatments and emerging event trends in the 21st century. The hottest trade secrets in experiential marketing and engagement through events were shared to the delegates. Case studies on brand activation, social media, event safety and security and retailtainment were presented and from these, delegates were able to pick up inspirations for their next events and find solutions to the difficulties encountered by an organizer.
While it is important to satisfy the clients and give the customers the best event experience, event organizers must not also forget to incorporate their social responsibility in their activities. One of the delegates pointed out that it was very timely to talk about Sustainable Events Management and Green your Event during the conference as more people now is trying to conserve and save the Mother Earth.
According to Mr. Steven Hacker, President of International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE) and conference’s Keynote speaker, “The presenters and content that were offered in Events Asia were outstanding.” From his view, the conference was indeed successful. He is even open for collaboration for future events.
Another interesting part of the conference was the Webinar, a hybrid of conducting a seminar with the use of internet. Mr. Mark Sonders wasn’t able to make it to Boracay but thanks to the power of technology, he was able to deliver his talk on Event Staging and Techniques with a WOW Factor.
Who would have said that physical presence is needed in order to deliver your message to the world? With Webinar, it opened the mind of many event organizers, let them think out of the box and utilize the presence of technology to deliver what is best and what is needed.
Foreign delegates were amazed by the richness of Philippine culture showcased through the different dance and cultural presentations. Mr. Jeffrey Soh, CEO, Conceptual Events Co., among others, said that his speaking engagement in Events Asia 2010 was a memorable experience for him and it opened many possibilities for event organizers. “Philippines is very beautiful and rich. The government should support the private sectors in promoting it to other countries. There is a potential for the Philippines to make it big in events industry.” he said.
“What Events Asia 2010 did for the delegates was to bring International ideas and concepts to the Philippines. And what it did for the speakers was to give us a taste of this beautiful, intelligent and warm-hearted country.” shared by Ms. Lara McCulloch, Presiden of Ready2Spark Canada.
“I look forward to sharing all that the Philippines and its people have to offer when I get home.”
Speakers commended the courage Ms. Laxamana to organize an event of this kind for the very people who plan events for it has placed every details of Events Asia under intense scrutiny. Amidst all these, it opened many doors for networking and collaboration among event professionals.
Events Asia didn’t not only focus on the talks and speeches. Fun activities were also included in the program.The 1st Events Asia Golf Tournament was held last April 28, 2010 at Fairways and Bluewater.
It was indeed a perfect mix of business and pleasure for most of the delegates. It’s perfect timing for networking with fellow professionals while on a quick island vacation at the same time.
Events Asia 2010 would not have been possible without the support of International Association of Exhibition and Events (IAEE), International Special Events Society (ISES-HK) Advertising Suppliers of the Philippines (ASAP), Boracay Ecovillage Convention Center, Philippine Daily Inquirer, Business World, Adobo Magazine, 7107 Island Travel Publishing, Universal Fortune Magazine, Radio Partners, Studio 23,Negros Navigation, Omnisoure, Jack & Jenn, Unilab, Pureplay, Freedom Post, Videosonic and Modern Ads and Promo Inc.
Seeing all the events experts sharing the same stage in a room filled with delegates listening intently to them is a clear manifestation that there is a bright future ahead for every event professionals. This is not the last time that industry experts, business leaders and fellow events professionals will converge to share and discuss valuable information and knowledge. Events Asia will continue its dream of professionalizing the events industry in the Philippines by providing continuous education to all.
