Business
Bolder, Bigger Cebu Business Month Set for 2014
A more razor-sharp, goal-driven Cebu Business Month (CBM) will take place next year as it will focus primarily on key essentials that will aid gear Cebu back to its feet after two crisis hit the province late this year, and at the same time prepare itself towards the ASEAN Economic Integration in 2015.
“We are encouraged to work even harder in CBM 2014, due to the crisis that hit the country and the coming ASEAN Economic Integration in 2015,” said CBM 2014 Overall Chairman Felix Tiukinhoy, Jr.
“We want to attract more businesses for Cebu, tourism prospects to maintain the momentum, and to add such as fostering business relations to know on how Cebu Chamber can help the earthquake and typhoon victims,” enthused Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI) President Lito Maderazo.
Among the events to look forward to in the CBM ‘14 are a two-day Tourism and Investment Promotions workshop and summit–a first in the CBM celebration and an adjunction to the previous years’ Tourism Congress–and a probable gathering of foreign businessmen and investors. The latter is a developing initiative by the committee assigned as of press time.
With the aim to concretize CCCI’s vision as the engine of Cebu’s economic growth towards global competitiveness, the Tourism and Foreign Investment Workshop and Summit will bring in resource speakers to participate in the discussion on the promotion of tourism in Cebu. The tourism and investment promotions committee is working on inviting foreign businessmen and investors to Cebu to be part of the activity. This initiative is a way and means to put developmental structures that will sustain the Tourism and Investment Promotions Committee towards growing tourism and foreign investments into Cebu well beyond 2015. As an output of the workshop and summit, the endeavor likewise targets to engage the local and national governments in the move. The committee also aspires to establish a non-profit entity after the event that will sustain and handle promotions for Cebu tourism, and that will serve as a Cebu tourism information hub, that will help amplify Cebu’s tourism promotions.
CBM 2014 Power Team with CCCI President Lito Maderazo ( 4th from left front row)
During the promotional kick off of the Cebu Business Month 2014, Maderazo also mentioned that they will be promoting CBM ’14 to Manila, other key cities and are considering the ASEAN nations.
“We want to make Cebu as the center for tourism. CBM ’14 will be brought to Manila and other key cities to promote,” said Maderazo.
A first and new to the CBM celebration next year also is the theme song competition under Creative Industries with Debbie Palao as chairman and one of Cebu’s creative movers Gil “Butch” Carungay as vice chair. The creative industries committee will be working with Artisko President and one of Vispop initiators Ian Zafra. The theme song contest is open to anyone who wishes to join including Filipino citizens, foreigners, and individuals with Filipino parentage. The competition is a CBM Song campaign that aims to creatively express the brand values of CBM 2014 through the arts, and to generate excitement by effectively promoting and increasing public awareness of the said business celebration.
“This is business through the Chamber and arts in the form of music joined together,” said Zafra. A cash prize of P30,000 awaits the winner of the theme song contest. Interested contestants can fill up the entry forms available online at www.cebubizmonth.org
Other events lined up for CBM ’14 are the Grand Opening Salvo, ICT & BPO Conference and Expo, Start Up Weekend, Cebu In The Bag, Cebu Run For The Rivers, 3rd Cebu Creative Industries Summit and the Grand Chamber Awards & Fellowship Night.
Among the highlights in the Cebu In The Bag are the Bodega Sale where Cebu export-brands will be promoted in Manila and ASEAN tourist markets, Retail Sale participated by mall wide sales by major commercial centers in Cebu and online stores, and Airline/Seat Sale. A forum on the ASEAN Economic Integration 2015 and Blue Ocean Strategy will also be held.
For more information on the CBM 2014, check www.cebubizmonth.org, www.cebuchamber.org or visit Facebook page CEBU BUSINESS MONTH.
CBM 2014’s theme is “Cebu Business Month ASEAN 2015 And Beyond”. The vision statement is to become a platform for Cebu Business to strengthen its rank in order to take advantage of the opportunities to be opened up by ASEAN Economic Integration in 2015.
CBM 2014’s logo features a sun, which symbolizes the boldness of the Chamber’s thrust towards the said coming ASEAN Integration and that of a sustained economic growth and development for Cebu. Like the sun, the Chamber continues to shine and radiate vitality for Cebu.
Photo above: CBM 2014 Overall Chair Felix Tiukinhoy, Jr.
