Comddap expo targets 50k tech-savvy guests

The biggest Information Technology exhibition show organized by Computer Manufacturers, Distributors and Dealers Association in the Philippines (Comddap) opened yesterday in Cebu, providing latest products in the technology pegged at lower prices.

Held at the SM City Trade Hall, the 9th Comddap exposition hopes to attract at least 50,000 visitors to the show in the next two days, said Comddap-Cebu chairman Bing Lastrilla.

This time, he said exhibitors have high hopes of attracting interested technology-savvy consumers, as interest in technology has grown significantly, especially within the corporate sector.

Despite price increases in almost all commodities, Lastrilla said cost of technology is now on a downtrend, due to competition and fast turnover of products.

For new interactive whiteboard for instance, which is good for education entities, it used to cost about P500 thousand during the first entry of the technology few years back, now the same technology is sold at about P60 thousand.

The interactive whiteboard, which will replace the traditional "blackboard" used in the classrooms, is one of the highlights of this year's exhibition.

In fact, according to Lastrilla, the Department of Education (DepEd) has allocated a budget this year for the purchase of around 1,500 units of interactive whiteboards for the public schools across the country.

In the last nine years, Lastrilla said most of the shows visitors were students, and young professionals, today, he said there is a significant number of corporate buyers, or businessmen who have shown interest in the technology update, may it be software, hardware, and other technology gadgets.

The businessmen's interest in embracing technology has improved significantly over the years. Lastrilla said companies have now recognized the very important role of technology in fighting competitiveness and thrive.

The show will run from July 3 to 5 (2008), Lastrilla hopes that it will generate at least 50,000 visitors, banking on the improved interest of the Cebuano consumers on technology.

He also mentioned that as part of the corporate social responsibility (CSR) of Comddap, it vowed to give P1 for every visitor that comes to the show in next two days and donate the total amount to the typhoon victims in Panay.

This year’s Comddap has 32 exhibitors offering over a hundred technology products that are the latest in the market.

Comddap is an association of top ICT manufacturers, dealers, distributors in the Philippines. It's events in the last nine years have become the benchmark for ICT and other related industries.

It upholds the vision in promoting and elevating the standards of information technology in the Philippines with its yearly exhibits and selling shows held in key cities all over the country.