Last April 28-30, 2010, the beautiful island of Boracay in the Philippines played host and set the stage for Events Asia 2010 Conference and Trade Show, with its theme “The Future is NOW! The Future is WOW!”. Participants converged at the Boracay Eco Village Resort & Convention Center at the Meetings which presented an array of vastly interesting subjects by international event industry experts. Delegates learned the latest trends, as well as innovations to the craft in the highly creative world of exhibitions and events.


CONFERENCE. Participants were privileged to listen and network with experts in events industry worldwide to include Mr. Steven Hacker, as keynote speaker with his topic, Global Exhibition and Events Trends in the 21st century; Mr. Mark Cochrane from Hong Kong who talked about Asian Perspectives, the Power of Exhibits and Events; Mr. Eduardo Braniff, expert on Brand Activation from Los Angeles, U.S.A.; Ms. Lara McCulloch-Carter from Canada who did a cool workshop and talk on Social Media Strategies; Mr. Robert Rogers, who awed the audience with 10 Cool New Things to WOW Events; Mr. Brian Slawin, from Missouri, U.S. did his spiel on Events Latest Tool –getting the best Lead in Events; Mr. Jeffrey Soh, of Thailand shared his tips in Organizing Events with a shoestring budget; Mr. Steve Tait, emphatically advised delegates on Event Safety and Security; and Mr. Jojo Ajero, CEO of High Traffic Ads.

SUSTAINABLE EVENTS MANAGEMENT. I had the pride and pleasure to talk on a topic very close to my heart, Sustainable Events Management with Corporate Social Responsibility, a very timely and significant issue for the conference as more events professionals are now conscientious in conservation and in trying to help protect the environment. With my experience with Inkaterra, Peru’s eco pioneer and Conservation Leader, I hope I was able to share the knowledge and concern for the need to be more responsible and sustainable in events organization: the call to Rethink, Reuse, Reduce, Recycle and Report, in order to meet the needs of the present while preserving and enduring the provisions for future generations.





FUTURE WORKSHOPS. The talk in fact, is just a tip of the iceberg, so to speak. I am looking forward to sharing this topic substantially and ideally in comprehensive workshops or seminars where participants can fully understand, assimilate and implement their own best practices to sustainable events, according to the business they are engaged in, whether they are event planners or suppliers, in hospitality, entertainment, sports, publication, media, technical production, corporation, government agency, venue, and other related endeavor in the Events and Exhibition industry. So the next time you are planning to organize conferences, you might like to include a Sustainable Events Management workshop in your agenda. Ms. Annaliza Laxamana, CEO of Next Step Events, the beauty and brains behind Events Asia 2010, is also the recently appointed Marketing Director of Boracay Eco Village and Convention Center. Her highly professional and efficient production team was able to execute the event successfully with outstanding and authentic production, lavish entertainment, live music and dance ensemble, albeit with minor technical and logistical glitches which can be easily remedied in the next productions, however, kudos to the team for their dedication to their craft, undivided attention and usual remarkable Filipino brand of sincere hospitality, warmth and friendship, which can never be equaled anywhere in the world.


Alta Vista was the official resort host for the event and it was a great surprise to know that former Islander Group and HSMA colleague Bobby Laygo is the General Manager of this literally and figuratively speaking lofty property. Its location is up on the hillsides at the northern part of the island, as Bobby would often say, they are on “the better side of Paradise”.

My own take in Events Asia 2010: the future is wow, but we have to protect in now! Less conversation, it's time for action! Please use comment/contact form if you wish to add a Sustainable Events Management Workshop in your next conference.