Pamela D. Pascual featured on the 2021 WTCA Day

July 15, 2021


In celebration of the World Trade Center Association (WTCA) Day last June 12, the WTCA Asia Pacific Regional Office (APRO) and APAC Trade Services MAC hosted the "2021 WTCA Day Celebration Special: Post-Pandemic Trend of WTC Business – An APAC Perspective.". The webinar featured our very own Ms. Pamela D. Pascual, WTCMM President and CEO, where she discussed how World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) is taking advantage of digitalization in the business of exhibitions during and post-pandemic.

Ms. Pascual shared that exhibitions, being a purely a face-to-face and physical experience, was deeply affected by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, despite this unprecedented challenge, WTCMM was able to pivot and migrate its programs by taking advantage of digital platforms to reach out to its members, clients and network. In the most difficult time of the pandemic, WTCMM found strength in strategic partnerships and alliances by working with like-minded institutions to carry all its programs forward.

Firstly, WTCMM’s Certificate in International Trade (CIT) program is now being delivered online and provides learning access to students asynchronously. Through the partnership with Nephila Technology Inc., the company that carries Moodle, a learning management system, all the courses of CIT are now accessed in the digital platform by students. Partnerships with the American Chamber of Commerce and the University of Santo Tomas, the oldest university in Asia, were also put in place to aggressively market the CIT program to their respective markets.

The Markets of the World (MOW), one of the flagship events of WTCMM, is also being staged now through Zoom with free audience participation. WTCMM collaborates with relevant companies for speaking privilege through sponsorship that allows them to feature their products and services wrapped around the topic of discussion of the webinar.

Business Club members now benefit from a new distribution channel called WTCMM e-Marketplace, which was established through a partnership with Resellee, a fast-rising social e-commerce and shared inventory platform. This allows member companies and individuals to launch and enlist their products in the Resellee digital platform and build their own online store with zero capital.

Lastly, while waiting for event restrictions to ease up and to complement the services offered by WTCMM as a world-class venue for exhibitions, it is also now offering a virtual exhibition platform to its clients. Through a strong partnership with WTC Mumbai, it is now able to offer the option for trade show organizers to stage virtual or hybrid exhibitions.

Embracing the current situation has allowed WTCMM to open up new markets, generate new opportunities, and fuel growth amidst the most challenging times of the Covid-19 pandemic.

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WTCMM earns ASEAN award for exhibition excellence

February 12, 2026 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) has once again made its mark on the ASEAN stage, taking home the ASEAN MICE Venue Award in the Exhibition Venue Category at the 2026 ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards. The honor was presented during the ASEAN Tourism Forum (ATF) 2026 held recently at the Nustar Resort, Cebu. The award recognizes venues that meet the highest international standards for MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions) operations. WTCMM was cited for its capacity for large-scale exhibitions, top-level safety and security measures, and eco-friendly design, including LED lighting and energy recovery ventilators. “We are deeply grateful for this recognition from the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards,” said Pamela D. Pascual, Chairman and CEO of WTCMM. “This award affirms the work we continue to do to maintain a venue that meets international benchmarks. It reflects our ability to support large-scale exhibitions while delivering a safe, high-quality experience for local and global events.” This latest honor marks an unprecedented achievement for WTCMM, having been recognized across three consecutive award periods—2022–2024, 2024–2026, and 2026–2028. This continued recognition underscores the venue’s sustained commitment to delivering high-quality, eco-friendly facilities for both local and international markets. The 2026 awards featured 27 tourism-related establishments and local government units, highlighting the Philippines’ growing profile as a hub for MICE and tourism in the ASEAN region. For WTCMM, the recognition reflects more than just facilities. It is a testament to its ongoing commitment to safe, sustainable, and high-quality event spaces that elevate the exhibition experience for organizers and attendees alike. Read More

Tech, innovation, F&B delivery highlited @ E3 2025

November 14, 2025 - Technology was front and center at the Event Experience Expo (E3) 2025, held at World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) – not as a backdrop, but as a catalyst for change. From artificial intelligence and immersive production tools to scalable platforms and intelligent matchmaking, the event showcased how innovation is actively reshaping the MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, Exhibitions) industry in the Philippines and beyond. With over 2,000 attendees and nearly 50 local and international exhibitors showcasing a full spectrum of event solutions, E3 2025 marked a strategic milestone in how events are conceived, delivered, and valued. The expo reflected a sector in transition, moving steadily towards more integrated, outcome-driven models. “It’s no longer about staging a show. It’s about creating an experience,” said Pamela D. Pascual, Chairman and CEO of WTCMM, in her opening remarks. “This event is about new tools, fresh ideas, and meaningful connections that help us design better, smarter, and more inspired moments. Even food and beverage providers and caterers play a crucial role in contributing to clients’ event experience, and they, too, scaled up their expertise in delivering best in class standards in terms of food quality, execution and service.” With expert-led learning sessions and strong networking opportunities, E3 generated an estimated ₱25 million in business, setting a new standard for the Philippine events industry. In photo during the opening ceremonies are (from left) Stage Riggers President Joel Inumerable, Video Sonic Manila Owner-Founder Mart Miranda, WTCMM Chairman & CEO Pamela Pascual, Tourism Promotions Board Project Officer III Joy Icasiano, Forscink Sound Engineer Justin Santos, Pasay City Representative Angie Roa, Stagecraft Vice President of Operations Frankie Leslie Zabala, and Earl Lee of Brand on Demand. One of those tools was Snapsight, part of the Sparks AI suite introduced by GEVME and presented by Jonathan Easton, VP of Product Design. The platform allows attendees to scan QR codes for real-time session summaries, giving organizers a way to extend content reach, personalize engagement, and gather actionable insights. “When attendees feel seen and supported, they stay longer, engage deeper, and come back,” Easton noted. “That’s not just good UX, it’s good business.” Kevin Ng, Commercial Head of Jublia, reinforced this with a data-driven approach to matchmaking. His team’s AI-powered platform enables curated meetings based on attendee profiles, turning passive foot traffic into measurable business outcomes. “We’re seeing organizers shift from hoping for connections to engineering them,” Ng said. “That’s the difference technology makes.” Beyond the tech itself, E3 2025 also celebrated the creative and technical talent behind the scenes: Filipino designers, engineers, and producers whose work powers the industry’s evolution. As Pascual noted, “Some of the best in the world, and they’re right here.” By bringing together trusted suppliers, emerging platforms, and forward-thinking organizers, E3 2025 offered a timely snapshot of where the industry is headed—and how Philippine-based talent and innovation are helping shape that future. “Today’s MICE events must deliver more than foot traffic. They must generate quality outcomes,” Pascual added. “We see events as platforms that foster strategic partnerships, drive sectoral growth, and connect SMEs to global value chains.” ### About World Trade Center Metro Manila With nearly three decades of professional experience in world-class service and unparalleled expertise in exhibitions, trade shows, and special events, WTCMM is the first in the Philippines to be recognized as such by Union des Foires Internationales (UFI), the global association of the exhibition industry; and the only exhibition center in the country to be managed by an ISO-certified company, the Manila Exposition Complex, Inc. It is an accredited MICE venue of the Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board (TPB), a member of the Tourism Congress of the Philippines (TCP), and the Philippine Association of Convention Exhibition Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS). Read More