Davao’s big plans for MICE


Atty. Francis Layug, Chief of Staff - Office of the Vice Mayor receiving Davao MICE Strategic Management Plan from Assoc Prof. Atty. Gezzez Giezi Granado, Dean of UST's College of Tourism & Hospitality Management 


MICECon (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences & Exhibitions Convention (MICECon) is the biggest and highly anticipated gathering of professionals in the fields of travel, tourism and MICE practitioners in the Philippines. It’s an educational event with high-caliber speakers, interesting topics and themed events. For a city to win as host of a MICE convention, it’s a big deal. It can showcase the locale’s capacity to be a choice destination for MICE events. 

Davao won the bid to host the 2020 MICECon. The pandemic struck in the same year and put the event on hold. Perhaps it was a blessing. It gave Davao the chance to plan for something bigger for Davao MICE going beyond the hosted event— it will be institutionalized. 

Recently, the Davao City Tourism Operations Office (CTOO) led by GeneRose Tecson and the Davao MICE executive committee invited the city’s private stakeholders to be part an exciting milestone—the turnover ceremony of the Davao City MICE Strategic Management Plan to the city by the University of Santo Tomas College of Tourism & Hospitality Management. 



Davao MICE's dynamic leaders. CTOO OIC GeneRose Tecson & MICE Execom President Kennedy Kapulong



Consultants of the Davao MICE Strategic Management Plan. From the UST College of Tourism & Hospitality Management Jame Mercado; Jane Devanadera; Fr. Roland Mactal; Gezzez Gieze Granado; Camille Nagal; Ruby Anne Lucina; Arnulfo Butiong



“Dreams do come true and today, we will all witness the turnover of Davao City MICE Strategic Management Plan. Something that we have always talked about with the Davao MICE Execom since 2016 and a reality now. The pandemic may have caused havoc to our businesses and the economy but with the guidance of Mayor Sara Duterte, we chose to look for the opportunities that can be had from the experience. And together with the Davao MICE Execom, we determined that MICE is it,” said GeneRose Tecson. 



City Tourism Operations Office OIC GeneRose Tecson



Developed through constant interaction between the UST project team, the Davao City government’s CTOO, MICE Execom, private stakeholders, Department of Tourism XI, and the Tourism Promotions Board’s MICE division, the Davao MICE Strategic Master Plan aims to assess, develop and implement the different MICE programs of the city government and the private sectors. 

In her message, Mayor Sara Duterte congratulated everyone involved for the completion of the document that will set the direction of the future of MICE industry that and contribute to the city’s socio-economic growth, “This plan shall be a guide for both policymakers and the private sector in identifying the key roles each needs to take, as well as crucial areas of convergence for a brighter future for MICE in Davao City. With this plan, we look forward to seeing more public and private tourism players and investors take bigger roles in our city’s MICE industry. This is vital as we position Davao City as the preferred MICE destination in the Philippines, and will help us fulfill our vision to become a globally livable city and a center of excellence in the investment, hospitality and tourism industries.” 



GeneRose Tecson, OIC-CTOO & Kennedy Kapulong, President-MICE Execon, hands over certificate of appreciation to UST College of Tourism & Hospitality Management Team- Katherine Camille Nagal, Regent Fr. Roland Mactal, & Dean Gezzez Gieze Granado 




Extending an inspiring message of gratitude on behalf of the UST College of Tourism and Hospitality Management team was its Regent, Fr. Roland Mactal, “Davao Life is here. Indeed this slogan is true. For what is life, in Latin it is defined as Vita est sui motio ab intrinsico, Life is growth from within. There is growth when we meet. There is growth when we encounter. This is what Davao MICE strategic planning is all about. Thus, it is a notable endeavor between the Davao local government and the UST College of Tourism & Hospitality Management. We thank you for the opportunity to collaborate and synergize with you in promoting the culture of oneness through MICE.” 



Fr. Roland Mactal



Davao has achieved its target of 100% herd immunity. With health guidelines and protocols in place and full vaccination of 95% of the tourism frontliners, Davao is marching on to the new normal and ready to welcome visitors. 



Davao MICE government representatives - Susabel Reta, City Mayor Tourism Consultant, Tanya Tan, DOT-XI Regional Director & Ivan Cortez, OIC- City Planning Office


Davao MICE members from the private sector - Anna Magnaye, Zegen Group, Nicole Bian-Ledesma, JIB International Schools, Leda Jacinto, Concordance.


Members of the Davao MICE Execom - Anna Magnaye, DOT-XI RD Tanya Tan, Kennedy Kapulong, GeneRose Tecson & Jinggoy Salvador 




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Also published in the SunStar Davao newspaper.