Bacolod: This highly urbanized city is banking on a stronger collaboration with the private sector to promote Bacolod as a leading unified destination for meetings, conventions, exhibitions, sports, leisure, and other large-scale events.
According to Philippines News Agency, the role of the private sector was underscored during the Bacolod Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) Summit 2026, which gathered almost 300 industry stakeholders at Roy's Hotel and Convention Center on Tuesday. "We want the private sector here to function well. The direct recipients are the stakeholders of MICE, which are from the private sector. For example, hotels, transport, restaurants," the city's chief tourism operations officer Ma. Teresa Manalili told the agency on Wednesday.
Themed 'Building Connections, Creating Opportunities: Strengthening Bacolod's MICE Future,' the summit highlighted Bacolod's readiness to host bigger national and international events. It emphasized the importance of solidarity, collaboration, and strong public-private partnerships in building a robust tourism and MICE industry. A truly competitive destination requires the entire city to work in unison, involving accommodations, restaurants, airlines, transportation providers, travel and tour operators, event organizers, and other stakeholders.
As part of the summit's highlights, the Bacolod Sports, Meetings, Incentives, Leisure, Conventions, and Exhibitions (Bacolod SMILCE) was introduced, bringing together private sector stakeholders under a shared vision. The officers, led by president John Go of Roy's Hotel and Convention Center, took their oath before Mayor Greg Gasataya.
The Bacolod MICE Summit featured respected industry leaders who shared experiences, strategies, and perspectives on strengthening Bacolod's competitiveness in the evolving MICE landscape. Natalie Lim, chairperson of the Iloilo MICE Alliance, presented insights on the importance of collaboration and coordinated destination development. Louella Caridad, head of Conventions and Exhibitions of Megaworld, discussed the need for destinations to strengthen their facilities, services, and partnerships.
Department of Tourism - Western Visayas and Negros Island Region Director Crisanta Marlene Rodriguez talked about positioning Bacolod as a competitive MICE destination, highlighting opportunities for growth and the importance of strategic destination development and collaboration.
During a fireside chat titled 'What Event Organizers Need from a Destination,' representatives from various sectors shared insights on what organizers look for in a host city. The discussions reinforced the importance of presenting Bacolod as a complete, coordinated, and competitive destination capable of providing an end-to-end experience for organizers, delegates, and visitors.
