PHLBEX expects 40% increase in attendees

CEBU, Philippines - In this year’s Philippine Building and Construction Exposition set at the Cebu International Convention Center from May 24 – 27, companies in the related industry showcased their products as they perceive trade shows as a venue to cater the growing market.

Stone Pro Enterprises sales manager Marifel Mahinay said that trade expos play an essential role in a certain company as they provide greater exposure of their products particularly the new trends, thus resulting to higher sales.

However, she revealed that unlike last year, there is a lesser number of attendees based on the first two days for PHILBEX 2012.

Expecting for a lot more, she noted that event organizers should promote more awareness of the show through announcements, advertisements and commercials.

Stone Pro is a company of home and building cleaning solutions manufacturing cleaners, sealers, refinishers, and specialty products and offering cleaning, sealing and marble re-polishing services. — Grace Melanie I. Lacamiento

On the contrary, Wilcon Builder’s Supply Executive Marketing Manager Evelyn Sajonia assured their participation in PHILBEX next year as the trade show satisfied their expectations in marketing their products and services to the Cebu market.

“We’ve been in the business for 34 year and exhibits in the trade shows like this are one of the best ways to market your new product or service. It’s a destination for your customers and malaki ang impact. Hindi ka pumunta at sumali para mag-display lang, may intention ka to sell your items or introduce the company,” she said.

As a manufacturer of finishing materials for the building industry, she added that the company foresees a very good opportunity in Cebu as major players come in to invest in the city, boosting up the construction industry.

Receiving positive responses from the attendees, she further said that Wilcon will be opening a store in Talisay City on July 2012 and another Mandaue branch before the year ends.

Meanwhile, WORLDBEX Services International Managing Director Jill Aithnie Ang said that it has been the commitment of WORLDBEX as an organizer of expositions in the country to do better and aim higher every year.

Compared to 2011, she added that this year’s trade show poses higher number of attendees and companies with 30 – 40% increase of attendees recorded as of May 24,2012.

She also said that with approximately 250 companies joining PHILBEX, the event had attracted local and foreign manufacturers from Singapore, Turkey, Korea, and New Zealand.

Ang noted such companies expressed optimism on the expo as they have closed dealerships with prospective clients and negotiated with interested franchisees.

Attendees, on the other hand, found the show bigger since they are able to see the new trends and learn technologies from the seminars and exhibitors, she continued.

“Everybody can see their product in one place. In expos, it’s the people who are going to them (the companies), expressing their intent to buy,” she stated.