Bacolod revs up for greater MICE action

BACOLOD is chasing big MICE dreams as it sets up a convention bureau and brings more infrastructure to the market.

A city ordinance signed in June this year will see the creation of the Bacolod Meetings and Conventions Promotions Board, to develop incentives, and the Bacolod Conventions Bureau, to promote and implement strategies and support for MICE.

Furthermore, November saw the opening of SMX Convention Center Bacolod, the largest convention center in Visayas with a capacity of 4,000 pax for concerts and 2,800 pax in banquet style.

Dennis O Salvador, SMX Convention Center’s assistant vice president and director of sales, said: “The opening creates demand for the international market to explore Bacolod. We’re already getting leads for events two years from now.”

Ryan T Uy, SMX Convention Center vice president, strategic sales and income management, said event organisers no longer have to look elsewhere because Bacolod can now host MICE events.

Plans are also afoot to build a 200-key hotel, likely a Park Inn By Radisson, and a 150-key Seda Hotel in the city over the next couple of years.

These developments have led to the choice of Bacolod as the host of MICE Conference, the Philippines’ biggest meetings event, in 2016.

Sponsored Post