Visayas’ largest business summit set for July

By Mariela Angella Oladive

The Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI) Iloilo will host the 33rd Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC), the largest business convention on the island, on July 25-26 at the Iloilo Convention Center.

Convened by 23 local PCCI chambers in the Visayas, the event will gather business and sectoral leaders to discuss digital transformation, innovation, and sustainable development under the theme “Empowering Business Innovations for an Enriched One Visayas.”

In a press conference, PCCI Iloilo announced that the event would go beyond traditional business discussions by incorporating various pocket events and partnering with government and institutional partners to ensure a holistic experience for all attendees.

One highlight is a Golf Tournament at the historic Iloilo Golf and Country Club in Sta. Barbara, the oldest golf course in the Philippines, scheduled for July 24. The tournament is expected to attract over 150 golfers nationwide.

Herminio Maravilla, VABC Chamber Cup Chair, shared that invitations had been sent nationwide to attract interested players.

Some golf clubs have signed up, though many tend to register at the last minute.

The tournament will be divided into ladies’ and men’s divisions.

Additionally, the Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) will run from July 25-28, featuring various brands and products.

Other events include Taste Iloilo, a gastronomy festival by IHRRA, and the Iloilo Coffee Festival by the Iloilo Coffee Board.

According to Atty. Jobert Peñaflorida, Regional Governor of PCCI Region 6, the event will also welcome the Negros Island Region (NIR) into the larger Visayas Region.

The conference will feature keynote speakers such as Ayala Corp Senior Manager and 2024 MAP President Jose Rene Almendras, CEO of Adviser, Inc., and industry leaders like Karen Batungbacal and Cebu Pacific Chief Marketing and Customer Experience Officer Candice Iyog.

The main plenary session will be moderated by Bunny Pages, Chairman and CEO of Pages Holdings, Inc.

Breakout sessions will cover strategic growth, digital transformation, innovation, and family enterprise, led by experts like Paolo Campos, Lee Carlo Abadía, Dr. Lance Tan, and Neil Arnold Montesclaros.

“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.

With a comprehensive agenda and a diverse array of activities, the 33rd VABC is poised to make a significant impact on the business landscape in the Visayas, fostering positive change and collaboration within the community.