PCCI Iloilo is set to host the largest business convention in the Visayas this coming July 25-26, 2024, at the Iloilo Convention Center. The Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC), now in its 33rd year, is an annual convention of business and sectoral leaders in the Visayas, organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry Visayas area.
Traditionally held solely as a business conference, PCCI Iloilo is enhancing this year’s event by incorporation pocket events and partnering with government and institutional partners.
Under the theme “Empowering Business Innovations for an Enriched One Visayas,” the 33rd VABC aims to foster discussions on digital transformation and innovation, sustainable development, and meaningful intersectoral collaborations. These discussions will support the aforementioned agencies’ mandate of empowering businesses to effect positive change in communities.
The conference plenaries will feature notable guests such as Ayala Corp Senior Manager and 2024 MAP President Jose Rene Almendras, CEO of Adviser, Inc. and the acclaimed “Mother of the BPO Industry” in the country 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., who is known for national brands like Thirsty and Fruitfull.
The breakout sessions will be led by Paolo Campos (Strategic Growth), Lee Carlo Abadia (Digital Transformation), Dr. Lance Tan (Innovation), and Neil Arnold Montesclaros (Family Enterprise).
As part of the pocket events, a Golf Tournament will be held on July 24 at the Iloilo Golf and Country Club, attracting enthusiasts and business leaders from various local chambers in the Visayas. Additionally, from July 25-28, the Iloilo Business Expo (ILOBEX) will feature brand activations, Taste Iloilo – a gastronomy festival by IHRRA, 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.