ICT conference aims to realize sector's direction

CEBU, Philippines – The upcoming Cebu ICT (Information Communication Technology) conference aims to create a blueprint and scoreboard on how Cebu could move on as an emerged ICT destination in the Philippines.

The three-day conference slated on June 25 to 27, which is one of the highlights of this year’s Cebu Business Month, will see to it that after the conference Cebu will have a clearer direction on how to maximize its potential being named as number one emerging BPO (Business Process Outsourcing) destination in the world.

"At the end of this conference, we want to be able to make an assessment of where Cebu is and what we need to do to move forward. We will help build a plan of record, keep a scorecard on the progress we have made and share this with all the stakeholders. It is only through the proactive participation of all stakeholders that we can achieve the dream of Cebu becoming an 'emerged' ICT hub soon,” said this year’s Cebu ICT 2009 chairman Jerry Rapes.

The event, which is organized in close coordination with the Cebu Educational Development Foundation for Information Technology (Cedfit) will carry the theme “Cebu:e-merging Island Innovation.”

“We aim to celebrate with every ICT stakeholders in the country the achievement of Cebu being recognized by Tholons Global Services—a leading full-service Strategic Advisory firm for Global Outsourcing and Investments, as number one among fifty top emerging outsourcing cities in the world,” Rapes said.

According to Rapes the event also aims to gather the stakeholders of the Cebu ICT industry to advance the agenda of pursuing the next level goal of being acknowledged as an “emerged” rather than an “emerging” ICT investment destination, offshoring and outsourcing service provider. 

The conference will have a plenary session that would tackle issues such as, What is needed to accomplish Cebu's vision of becoming an ICT hub? What is the roadmap to the infrastructure of the future? How can we build the business environment needed for ICT innovation? and How can we find new markets and new ways of providing ICT services?

"We have invited internationally recognized speakers like Avinash Vashista (CEO and Founder, Tholons Global Services), Winston Damarillo (Chairman, Global Gateway Investment Group), Jon Kaplan (President, Teledevelopment) and Lope Doromal (Chief Technologist, IBM) who can share their experiences that are aimed at fast tracking the growth of the ICT industry in Cebu" said Rapes.

Furthermore, there will also be breakout sessions that would highlight focused areas such as “Technopreneurship”, Human Resource Development and Technology Accelerators; as well as an Exhibition. 

Other event highlights will also be organized by conference sponsors and implementing partners. IBM will be conducting the V on Blades Roadshow and the Agility @ Scale at the CICC. —Ehda M. Dagooc