04.6-9-13
#micecon2013
This was a trending hashtag for the Philippine tourism industry last March 2013. I know this post is long overdue but I really want to blog about this and share my MICECON experience. :)
M.I.C.E. stands for Meetings, Incentive Travel, Conventions/ Conferences, and Exhibitions/ Events. MICECON is an annual convention organized the Department of Tourism and Tourism Promotions Board that convenes all local and private organizations to learn from local and international speakers, discuss issues about the industry, network with co-delegates, and of course, experience FUN and world-class hospitality in the Philippines.
This year, the host is DAVAO CITY.
So, selected members of our team flew down south to witness and experience this spectacular event!
DAY 1
By the moment we set foot in Davao International Airport, we were transported to the MICECON "world."
Here's some of MICECON's gimmicks to promote the event to incoming guests and delegates.
Touchdown Davao!!!
Some perks and hero’s welcome treatment we had : Photo booth! Free Pomelo Welcome Drinks! Free Shaaades! :))
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| Outside the Davao Airport, we had service buses to transport us to and fro the Convention venue. (This is what you call event branding!) |
We checked in at Crown Regency Hotel.
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| This sign was funny :) |
We had some time to rest and to prepare for dinner.
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| We stayed in a Villa! Jovy, Lyza and I had this whole room for ourselves :)) |
Come evening, we attended The Black Circuit Lounge Welcome Dinner at Waterfront Insular Hotel.
Attire : Black and White
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| Yummy cocktails for the night! |
DAY 2
MICE Conference at SMX Convention and Hotel hopping for lunch and dinner
Conference Theme : Galactic Explosion; Gold, Silver and Bronze
As we fisrst stepped inside SM Lanang Premiere, we were welcomed by Galactic people in their silvery costumes :)
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| Welcome to SMX Lanang Premiere, Davao! We're in the exhibit area |
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| Servers were also from outer space! Even the breakfast itself were in Gold and Silver! WOW. |
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| The Exlink Team in Gold, Silver and Bronze |
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| This is the welcoming number. Truly, the conference venue was converted into a galaxy! |
President Aquino is our Guest of Honor for this year's MICECon
We had our East meets West themed Lunch at Marco Polo Hotel
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| We were welcomed by these acrobats? |
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| Welcome to Marco Polo Davao! |
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| The Dessert Table. The Cake is made out of Durian! :) |
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| Going back to the bus that will transport us back to SMX |
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| Our White Chocolate Tablea Souvenir treat from the Marco Polo Davao |
After lunch, we had a continuation of MICE Conference at SMX
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| We have a Free M.I.C.E. Book! :) |
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| Even snacks have branding and sponsors - that's marketing! :) |
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| One of the remarkable practice I saw in this conference is that they have a downloading station where delegates can get the soft copy of the speakers presentation. Very convenient, and wise! |
Our dinner was hosted by the City Gov't of Davao held at the Grand Ballroom, D'Leonor Inland Resort. Dinner Theme : MADAYAW DABAW! Life is Here.
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| We had Pomelo welcome drinks and Suman served by these Davaoenos in their ethnic costumes :) |
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| The Governor's Night was one of the most amazing banquet I've ever been to! Aside from the good food, they also showcased a LOT of cultural presentations which can prove that IT'S REALLY MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES! |
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| We have the BEST SMILES in the world :) |
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| Tribes eat nga-nga, and this is how they look like. Creepy but very unique and distinct. |
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| Our Souvenir for the night : Notepad and Wallet wrapped in Tinalak weaved by the T'boli Tribe :) |
DAY 3
MICE Conference at SMX Convention and Hotel hopping for lunch and dinner
Conference Theme : Convergence; Mosaic of Colors
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| This is our attire for the day! Very colorful and vibrant :) |
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| Hallway to SMX. This time, we were welcomed and greeted by people with colored cloths |
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| The Stage is now colorful and in line with the theme |
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| Breakfast were also fun and colorful. We even have candy jars and colored drinks |
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| Our snacks were distributed the these cool servers inside these colorful tables :) |
For today's themed lunch, it was Brazilian Mardi Gras at Royal Mandaya Hotel
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| Welcome drinks anyone? :) |
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| We all got masks :) |
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By lunch, we have entertainers on stage, serenading us as we eat
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| Yummy!!! |
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| Buffet every meal time! I will really get fat with these! |
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| Goofing around :) |
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| Our Durian Souvenir Keychain from Royal Mandaya Hotel |
Then finally for our last themed dinner, it was The Clark American Dream hosted by Clark Development Corporation at the Waterfront Insular Hotel
Attire : Red and blue cocktail attire
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| with DOT III Regional Director Ronnie Tiotuico |
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| A not-so-wholesome Fashion Show |
We had a great cocktail dinner served by Davao Chefs. :)
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| I just love desserts! |
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| Our souvenir from Clark Development Corporation |
After dinner and since it was the last day of the conference, we went to Ms. Rhaine Lim Crisostomo's place : World Palace.
We drank, party and sang the whole night till the next morning! :)
DAY 4
MICE Mart
*This is for a special registration, additional P2,500 per delegate. But it’s a good opportunity to talk one on one with target buyers and sellers. Theme was White Corporate Attire.
As for the most of us, we had a free day in Davao City.
We had breakfast at the Fifties Café inside Crown Regency Hotel.
Ms. Rhaine was kind enough to offer us ride, toured us around the city.
We bought pasalubong at SM Davao and in the pasalubongg center, then went back to the airport.
Indeed, this is one avenue where you can say that IT’S MORE FUN IN THE PHILIPPINES!!!
Next year, the host for MICECON 2014 is Clark,Pampanga. I hope I can attend. I hope YOU can attend.
See you in Clark!
Shainey
