He is not Cebuano but he knows Cebu like the back of his hand. He has a lot of friends here too because he is in town every month. But Patrick Tan of Global-Link MP comes to Cebu not to relax but to do business and bring business to Cebu.
The past-40-but-not-yet-50 Patrick Tan is part owner of Global-Link MP, a company engaged in the business of organizing, managing and holding of exhibits, special events, conferences and international trade and consumer shows.
Global-Link MP, which is co-owned by a Singapore group and is a part of the World Events Organization (WEO), a network of global event businesses that comprises organizers of exhibitions, conferences and special events, as well as venue managers, is recognized to be the leading trade and consumer show organizer in the country.
Among the trade shows and exhibitions that the company has organized here in Cebu are the Vis-Min Travel and Lifestyle Show last March and the upcoming Cebu Goes Culinary, Cebu Food Expo and the Manufacturing Technology Cebu shows this July.
“I love organizing events in Cebu because the people here are very friendly and very professional. I love working with Cebuanos,” said Patrick, who started organizing events in Cebu in 1994. He shared that the Manufacturing Technology show that he is organizing in July is his 15th since he started the show in 1994 at the former PHILCITE Cebu along Osmeña Boulevard.
Patrick, meanwhile, said that the Cebu Goes Culinary and Cebu Food Expo this year, which are projects of the Hotel, Resort & Restaurant Association of Cebu (HRRAC), will be the biggest, in terms of participation.
“I really like working with the HRACC people. They are very professional and I want to help them promote Cebu,” he shared. This is the second year that HRRAC partnered with Global-Link MP for the two events.
Patrick disclosed that this year’s show and exhibit will not only feature who is best in Cebu but also the best in the country. This year’s exhibit, he added, will show that Cebu is world class when it comes to the hospitality business.
A proud father of three boys, Patrick explained that although his job takes him away from home most of the time, he makes it a point to let his children see some of the shows he organizes.
“I encourage my sons to come to the shows I organize. I want them to be involved in what I do. In fact, my eldest, who is 15, is interested to become a chef and will be coming to see Cebu Goes Culinary and the Cebu Food Expo,” he proudly announced.
Patrick’s love for Cebu has also influenced his family. He said his family comes to Cebu for a vacation twice a year. “They are the ones who get to explore the different resorts and beaches. Although I have been to most of the resorts and hotels here, I have not really stayed in any of them because I usually do my meetings and other transactions here at the Waterfront (Cebu City Hotel in Lahug),” he said.
Global-Link MP does tradeshows and exhibits in different key cities in the country but Patrick Tan makes it a point to be involved in events related to the hospitality industry here in Cebu. He may not be Cebuano but he truly believes in what the Cebuano can do.