Cebu deemed as global convention center of RP

With its geographic and strategic location being at the center of the Philippine archipelago, Cebu is mulled theoretically as the international convention center of the country as it once again played host to an international showcase, this time the 8th Motorshow.

During its opening last Tuesday at the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC), Philippine Exhibition and Trade Corporation (PETCO) Chairman Jose Luis Yulo, Jr. expressed his optimism that the coming back of the Motorshow to Cebu this year will mark a good start for Cebu to play host to big events with certain themes for the whole world to participate.

Yulo added that with the newly-constructed CICC, Cebu now has its own venue where the city can hold international activities and position itself in the center of showcase for both local and international products in the market.

He also underscored that for the longest time, the absence of a huge venue for big shows was a big setback for Cebu as before they used to hold the Motorshow in limited mall parking areas.

This lack of facility to hold large scale indoor and outdoor events has left many show organizers no other option but to mount big projects in Manila despite Cebu’s tremendous potential as an investment and tourism destination. 

The Motorshow has originally been started in Cebu way back 1989 but it gradually left town and moved out to Manila due to the lack of ample exhibit space.

But now with about 2, 600 square meters of exhibition space at the CICC, the cycle and automotive industry composed of assemblers, car dealers, and accessories manufacturers from across the country were able to showcase their latest products, designs and the newest trend in the market.

Yulo also pointed out the significance of the comeback of the Motorshow to Cebu and the multiplier effect that it creates.

“It showcases different concepts and brings in new car trends and highlights artistic capability and skills of Cebuanos. It also provides infrastructure support, trade promotion, and technology exchange. It is also the best medium for education as it upgrades the skills of people relating to the car industry. The benefit to everybody else is actually tremendous,” stressed Yulo.

Governor Gwendolyn Garcia who graced the occasion even said in an interview that every Cebuanos should be proud that the biggest car show found its home in CICC. “We once again fulfilled the need, as always, for proper venue for a big event such as the Motorshow. Cebu leads once again and has showed the world what it can do.”

Garcia also added that among her second term’s major goals is to “prove that this time Cebu gets its proper stage in the international arena. Cebu united is Cebu unlimited,” she said.

However Yulo pointed out that if Cebu would want to take hold of the challenge and become an international center, we must therefore hold themed events with international exhibitors and international buyers as it is the only way we could become a real international venue.