THE Philippine Association of Convention/Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) is amending membership guidelines on its charter, relaxing rules for admission in order to reach more companies and suppliers interested in developing MICE business.
“The requirement for admission up to this point was very high – you (must) have had two international conferences under your belt,” said Monette Hamlin, PACEOS president. “If you’re new, it would be impossible.”
Now, a track record of only one national conference is required.
PACEOS currently has 38 members.
“Many event organisers are in Manila, while others are mostly wedding and party planners,” said Hamlin.
Awareness about the business potential of MICE, particularly those sourced from abroad, is weak too, so the association – the only one in the Philippines to date – also intends to start up new charters in Cebu and Davao, where MICE venues are gaining traction, revealed Marisa Nallana, PACEOS chair.
Although membership guidelines will become more relaxed, PACEOS will ask aspiring members to provide proper documentation validating their experience and event credentials, including references.
“We have a Code of Ethics we hope members will follow,” said Dinah Gonzalez, PACEOS membership head. “Too often we hear of events of the same concept or theme, like a wedding expo, and sometimes they are held simultaneously. We would like to space these events.”
Allied membership may also be offered to companies that host “special” events, as opposed to “business” events, said Gonzalez.
Hamlin noted that professors who taught tourism and event management had voiced interest in being a member of PACEOS, so relaxing membership rules would help accommodate them too.
Meanwhile, PACEOS plans to establish a MICE Academy, with internal and hired experts on the roster to provide training.
