Cebu Hosts the 26th Visayas Area Business Conference (VABC)

Business Chambers from all over the Visayas converge in Cebu this September for the 26^th Visayas Area business Conference (VABC) 2017. The key conference in the region, VABC is organized by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI). It is an annual project that brings together business leaders and influencers from all over the Visayas to tackle pertinent trends, issues and ideas.

The theme, “Connecting Ideas. Connecting economies.” was chosen by this year’s Working Committee to emphasize the need for connectivity in both the virtual (idea) space and thy physical space (infrastructure and technology). It is also about the importance of business networks, synchronicity and connections in order to bring inclusive growth to the region.
Connection equals opportunity. The Visayas is an emergent region and powerhouse of innovation. Greater unity and a shared vision translates into greater influence and leverage. The different provinces, with so much to offer and room to grow, benefit from connection. Isolated from each other, we travel on a slow path; together and connected, we run on a superhighway. As a various infrastructure and development, projects are being eyed in the region, change and opportunity is just around the corner. The new sense of connection that will arise from the new infrastructure plans and the leaps in technology bolsters the potential for the region to achieve a quantum leap in growth.

Hosted by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry in partnership with PCCI, the event promises to be the one of the most exciting regional conferences to date with top-tier speakers such as Amb. Gregory Slayton, Managing Director, Slayton Capital, Member of the Board of Advisors at Google, Salesforce.com and Bloom Energy; Mr. Chester C. Cokaliong, CEO, COO and Founder of Cokaliong Shipping Lines; Mr. Cecilio K. Pedro, CEO and President of Lamoiyan Corporation; Mr. Jose “Joey” Ma. Concepcion III, President and CEO of RFM Corp. and Presidential Adviser for Entrepreneurship; Senator Juan Miguel “Migz” F. Zubiri, Senate Committee chair on Trade, commerce and Entrepreneurship and the Committee on Cooperatives in the current 17^th Congress and Mr. Leandro H. Gazmin, Assistant Secretary for Agribusiness, Department of Agriculture. There will be more resource speakers, talks and activities during the two-day conference from September 28-29, 2017, happening at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel & Casino plus other venue, Golden Prince Hotel & Suites for the Chamber Management Workshop.

The Visayas Area Business Conference Committees are led by Overall Chairman Dr. Edward S. Gaisano. For the Program & Program Management Committee is to be chaired by CCCI vice President for Finance and Admin Services Division Consul Antonio Chiu; Michelle G. Varron, Publicity & promotions Committee Chair; CCCI Vice President for Membership Development Division Christian Paroan chairs Registration & Documentation Committee, CCCI Past President Tess Chan & Trustee Benny Que as Venue Management Committee chairs; Ways & Means committee Chair is to be chaired by CCCI Past President Prudgie Gesta & Board Treasurer Ronald Po; Ms. Meanne Solomon & CCCI Vice President for External Affairs and Relations Division Teodoro B. Locson Jr. will chair Logistics, Transportation and Hotel Accomodation Committee and for the Chamber Management Workshop will be handled by the Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry.
By connecting ideas and economies, this year’s VABC held in Cebu hopes to bring together the different business chambers in a united front to work towards a vibrant and cohesive business ecosystem.