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.

KUALA Lumpur Convention Centre has appointed Alan Pryor general manager designate, replacing Peter Brokenshire who will retire at the end of March.

Brokenshire had spearheaded the establishment and opening of the venue in 2005, and has been leading it for the past 11 years.

The deputy general manager position, vacated by Pryor, will be filled by Simon Lomas, who will oversee the day-to-day operation of the centre as well as international, regional and local promotional activities.

Prior to joining the centre in 2011, Pryor was the director of operations at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). During his 11-year tenure at Durban ICC, he also oversaw the opening of the Arena extension. Shortly before moving to Malaysia, Pryor was lead consultant of the Architectural Department of the Municipality of Durban City on its Priority Zone development, which included the Durban ICC and Arena, and was consulted on several conference facility projects.

KENES Asia has made its foray into the Philippine market with the help of Global-Link MP Events International Inc, a company owned by both Global-Link and MP International.

Together, they have so far staged the International Rice Genetics Symposium at the Dusit Thani Manila last November, and are organising the 10th Asia Pacific Congress of Hypertension (APCH) in February and Asia Pacific Rheumatology Congress (APLAR 2014) in April, both at the Radisson Blu Hotel Cebu.

Jing Lagandaon, COO at Global-Link MP, told TTGmice e-Weekly that Kenes took charge of trade show programming, while her company handled logistical matters.

Staff from Global-Link MP was sent for training at Kenes in preparation for the collaboration.

“The relationship with Kenes started two years ago. Now that Kenes is organising shows in the Philippines, we are effectively representing them. Kenes is a relatively new player (here). Without us, it might be harder for them do their events here,” said Lagandaon.

“Our basic strength is that we know the Philippine market very well. We have a good network of connections; we are able to get volume discounts; and we are able to work with people who are expert in different fields,” she added.

Besides co-owning Global Link MP Events, Global-Link also has an exhibition division, Global-Link Exhibitions.

“We’re more known for organising exhibitions, like Philconstruct, held every November,” said Lagandaon, who added that about 70 per cent of Global-Link’s revenue comes from exhibitions, 15 per cent from official representation for Hong Kong Trade Development Council, Messe Frankfurt and Messe Dusseldorf, and the rest from conferences ¬– a segment the company wishes to grow.

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.

KUALA Lumpur Convention Centre has appointed Alan Pryor general manager designate, replacing Peter Brokenshire who will retire at the end of March.

Brokenshire had spearheaded the establishment and opening of the venue in 2005, and has been leading it for the past 11 years.

The deputy general manager position, vacated by Pryor, will be filled by Simon Lomas, who will oversee the day-to-day operation of the centre as well as international, regional and local promotional activities.

Prior to joining the centre in 2011, Pryor was the director of operations at the Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC). During his 11-year tenure at Durban ICC, he also oversaw the opening of the Arena extension. Shortly before moving to Malaysia, Pryor was lead consultant of the Architectural Department of the Municipality of Durban City on its Priority Zone development, which included the Durban ICC and Arena, and was consulted on several conference facility projects.