DOT Opens MICECon 2010 to all Business, Industry Sector

Department of Tourism (DOT) Secretary Joseph ‘Ace’ Durano has virtually opened the forthcoming conference on meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) to the entire business community as he invites all members of the corporate and entrepreneurial sectors to join the Philippine MICE Conference (MICECon) 2010 slated at the Subic Bay Exhibition and Convention Center on Feb. 4 - 7, 2010.

Sec. Durano said MICECON 2010 would orient corporate executives and entrepreneurs on the latest trends in this field, provide them with a lineup of competent foreign and local service providers, present to them the best practices worldwide, and acquaint them with the global network of MICE experts whom they could tap, thus enabling them to optimize the benefits they could derive from staging their own MICE-related activities anywhere in the world.

“MICECON is not just for the MICE sector of the tourism industry, but for the entire business community since it revolves around a marketing tool that is now being used extensively worldwide in pursuit of corporate and entrepreneurial objectives,” Sec. Durano explained.

This is the first time that a MICE event will be held north of Manila. Previous MICE events were staged in Cebu, Boracay, Davao, Bacolod and Batangas. The staging of this event in Subic is intended to develop and market the North as another MICE destination outside Manila. This is also the first time that the country’s two major MICE-related events – the Philippine Incentive Marketing Conference (Phil-Incentive) and the Philippine Asia MICE Forum – are brought together to form MICECON 2010.

Organized by the DOT and its marketing arm, the Philippine Convention and Visitors Corp. (PCVC), MICECON 2010 includes an Amazing MICE Race, MICE Leaders Forum, Educational Tracks for MICE Mates, MICE market seminars, business networking, and bid presentations of future MICECON hosts.

Aside from the seminars, workshops and business networking activities, MICECON 2010 also includes special events in three key northern destinations – Balanga for bird watching, Subic for the main conference, and Clark for the post-tour.

MICECON 2010 is supported by the Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority, Philippine Airlines, Philippine Tourism Authority, Provincial Government of Cebu, City Government of Balanga, Bataan, Provincial Government of Bohol, Victory Liner, Islands Philippines, Primer Group of Companies, Recreational Outdoor Exchange (ROX), WOW Jeepney Tours, Clark Development Corp., Clark International Airport Corp., Coltrans, Marriott Hotel, Travellers International Hotel Group, Annset Holidays, Inc., INTAS Destinations, Yellowbird Tours, Abacus International, Smart Communications, Inc., TTG Asia, Manila North Tollways Corp., Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS), Movement of Incentive Travel Executives (MITE), Hotel Sales & Marketing Association (HSMA), National Association of Independent Travel Agencies Inc. (NAITAS), and Travel Café Philippines.

For more information on MICECON 2010, contact the MICECON Secretariat at (632) 525-9318 local 233 or 525-6110, email phil.MICEconference@gmail.com, cit@dotpcvc.gov.ph, or visit www.dotpcvc.gov.ph.

Taters celebrates its 15th anniversary with Saludo XV

Taters has not wavered from its goal to innovate a wide variety of snacks to satisfy its customers’ discriminating tastes, and at the same time, raise the standards of movie snacks.

In celebration of their 15th anniversary, Taters Enterprises Inc. held an all-out celebration for its most loyal patrons last August 5, 2009. The night was painted camouflage as almost all 600 guests suited up for the military-themed event aptly called “Saludo XV.”

The event opened with a showcase of arms and rifle tricks, followed shortly by Taters’ 15-gun salute to 15 of its faithful allies in the industry over the years. Included in this esteemed group are: GCH International Mercantile Inc., Multi-M Food Corp., Ferna Corp., UKC Commercial Press, Metropolitan Foods, Philippine TQM Foundation, Goldilocks Bakeshop, LL & Lance Enterprises, Pepsi-Cola Products Inc., Vassar Industries Inc., 3 Saints Garments Manufacturing, Conceptoprint, Arce Foods Corp., Kitchen Link Enterprises, and Nestlé Philippines. Special Medals of Honor were given away by Taters Enterprises Inc. Chairman Isagani de Castro and founder Ms. Ana Marie Tanchanco to recognize them for their continuous support and contribution to Taters’ success.

Celebrity sightings during the event included Polo Ravales, racer Matteo Guidicelli, Maureen Larrazabal, Raine Larrazabal, Bangs Garcia, Michelle Murenec, rocker Gab Chee Kee of Parokya ni Edgar. Also gracing the event was Quezon City Vice Mayor Herbert Bautista, who gave his sincerest congratulations to Taters for a job well done. Guests enjoyed free-flowing cocktails, canapés and other Taters’ treats.

To top off the event, guests were treated to a free screening of G.I. Joe: The Rise of the Cobra. They were also given bags of freshly popped special anniversary-edition new popcorn flavor: the Saludo Pollo, which is a garlic chicken flavor.

Taters also launched the Saludo XV Promo which ran for two months from August to September 2009.

With every Php 200 purchase, Taters enthusiasts got the chance to win prizes such as free upsize of drinks, gift certificates, movie tickets, assorted Taters products, and other premium gift items.

A portion of the proceeds of the promotion went to the Assisi Development Foundation’s Peacepaths Program. The program encourages peace and helps support certain areas in Luzon and Mindanao which have been ravaged by war.

Taters branches are located at Glorietta 4, Market! Market!, Trinoma Mall, Alabang Town Center, Ayala Center Cebu, Robinsons Place Cebu, Robinsons Place Ermita, Robinsons Galleria, Robinsons Place Bacolod, Waltermart Makati, and Cash and Carry Mall.

For more information, please visit http://www.tatersgroup.com.