THE Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo is poised to host the largest business convention in the Visayas, the 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC), on July 25 to 26, 2024, at the Iloilo Convention Center. This annual convention, organized by the PCCI Visayas area, gathers business and sectoral leaders to discuss pressing economic issues and innovative solutions.
This year’s conference, themed “Empowering Business Innovations for an Enriched One Visayas,” will not only continue its tradition as a key business event but also introduce new elements to enhance participant engagement. PCCI Iloilo is collaborating with government and institutional partners to incorporate pocket events alongside the main conference.
The 33rd VABC aims to stimulate discussions on critical topics such as digital transformation, sustainable development, and intersectoral collaborations. These discussions are intended to align with the mandates of various agencies to empower businesses and foster positive community impact.
The conference plenaries will showcase prominent speakers, including Ayala Corp. Senior Manager and 2024 Management Association of the Philippines president Jose Rene Almendras, CEO of Adviser, Inc., and “Mother of the BPO Industry” Karen Batungbacal, and Cebu Pacific Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Candice Iyog. The main plenary will be moderated by Bunny Pages, chairman and CEO of Pages Holdings, Inc., recognized for brands like Thirsty and Fruitfull.
Breakout sessions will feature industry leaders such as Paolo Campos (Strategic Growth), Lee Carlo Abadia (Digital Transformation), Dr. Lance Tan (Innovation), and Neil Arnold Montesclaros (Family Enterprise), offering participants the opportunity to delve deeper into specialized topics.
Adding to the excitement, the convention will include several pocket events. On July 24, a golf tournament will take place at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club, drawing business leaders and golf enthusiasts from various local chambers in the Visayas. From July 25 to 28, the Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) will feature brand activations, the Taste Iloilo festival by IRRA, and the Iloilo Coffee Festival by the Iloilo Coffee Board.
“PCCI Iloilo is humbled to host this premier conference in the Visayas. We aim to offer our guests a holistic experience of Iloilo, encompassing business, entertainment, and food, all staged at ICON. All for Iloilo and One Visayas,” expressed PCCI Iloilo president Fulbert Woo regarding the chamber’s hosting of the conference.
The 33rd VABC promises to be a landmark event, fostering innovation and collaboration across the Visayas business community./PN
