News

WTCMM wins the ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards

January 26, 2022 - Rising above the pandemic challenges, World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) wins the “MICE Venue Award” in exhibition category during the recently concluded 2022 Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) Tourism Standards Awards held in Cambodia last January 19, 2022. The ASEAN Tourism Standards Awards is an initiative undertaken by all 10 ASEAN member states to encourage stakeholders in respective countries to further improve standards in terms of sustainable tourism services. This effort is done to sustain the ASEAN region’s objective to make it a globally-known "Quality Single Destination." WTC Metro Manila stood out within the region after garnering top ratings in major criteria that evaluated its exhibition halls and meeting room facilities to be compliant to international standards, pursued to achieve positive social and environmental impacts and help promote health and well-being of all stakeholders. This also includes environmental compliance related to improvements and upgrades in technologies such as shift to automated LED lights and motion sensors, and introduction of photocatalyst in Air Handling Units (AHU) and energy recovery ventilators to achieve quality air supply in its exhibition halls and function rooms. Also being implemented are proper waste management, including toxic and chemical substance disposal thru DENR-accredited TSD (treatment, storage, disposal) facility, and noise pollution control through management of noise levels, among others. In its behalf, the award was received by H.E Ms. Maria Amelita C. Aquino, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of the Philippines to the Kingdom of Cambodia, together with Attaché Ms. Reichelle V. Corpuz. WTC Metro Manila has espoused to provide an excellent venue facility in the country that serves large international and local exhibitions and events in the last 25 years. Established in 1996, World Trade Center Metro Manila is a pioneer in providing a world class exhibition venue in the Philippines. Read More

WTCMM first Virtual Exhibition via WTCONNECT

December 27, 2021 - WTC Metro Manila, in partnership with WTC Mumbai, organized and managed its pilot virtual exhibition, PHILPET Care Expo ’21, through the platform, WTCONNECT via www.wetrade.org. The 1st Philippine Virtual Pet and Animal Care Expo, launched last December 16-18, 2021 and available online until January 15, 2022, is organized by Claricon Marketing Inc., in partnership with Pet One Inc. It brings together key industry stakeholders, leading experts in the field of pet nutrition, veterinary medicine, breeding, grooming, and various animal welfare organizations. The virtual event offers a variety of choices from pet food treats, supplies and accessories, and pet and animal health care services. Animal group organizations and associations also showcased their advocacies and programs. Webinars on best tips and techniques on proper care were offered to participants who also enjoyed special deals from participating companies that made the event more enticing to online visitors. WTC Metro Manila’s WTCONNECT aims to provide trade show organizers a reliable platform in staging events in the safety of their comfort spaces while enabling them to reach markets never before tapped. PHILPET Care Expo ’21 webinars and exhibitors may be accessed through https://wetrade.org/philpetcareexpo . Visitors can still get the chance to interact with participating companies through their virtual booths until January 15, 2022. To know more about the PhilPet Care Expo ’21, you may visit https://philpetcareexpo.com or check its social media account at https://www.facebook.com/philpetcareexpo or https://www.instagram.com/philpetcareexpo . Read More

MOW XIII: PHILIPPINES BUSINESS OUTLOOK 2022

November 30, 2021 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) successfully concluded its year-end edition of the Markets of the World XIII Online with the theme, “Business Outlook for 2022: Recovery and Resiliency towards a New Normal and a Better Philippines”. Now that the vaccination program in the country has started to ramp up and borders have now slowly reopened, business outlook for 2022 inevitably looks promising, barring further virus outbreaks. The Philippine government has been continuously instituting economic programs that will help businesses recover through this pandemic. The recent edition of WTCMM’S Markets of the World (MOW) XIII brought together relevant personalities from the government and the private sectors that discussed the business outlook, specific recovery programs and updates that will help boost business confidence amidst the challenges. Representing government was Undersecretary Rosemarie Edillon of National Economic Development Authority (NEDA) who presented positive updates on the pandemic situation and recovery programs of the country and efforts to facilitate social and economic activities and recovery plans to mitigate the long-term adverse impact of COVID-19. On the other hand, Bangko Sentral ng Pilipinas’ (BSP) Director Sittie Butocan of the Department of Economic Research discussed the economic developments as well as BSP’s policy measures to support economic recovery and important factors that support the country’s sound economic standing such as vaccination, financial digitalization and sustainable finance that will pave the way for a resilient and inclusive post Covid-19 economy. In the private sector’s side, Mr. Gerry Austria of Union Bank of the Philippines, one of the leading universal banks known for accelerating digital transformation in the country, presented a new technology for payment solution available for businesses. The “UPAY” for Micro and Small Merchants, offers a fully integrated and single platform payment collection. MOW is a regular trade education seminar series conducted by the WTCMM Business Club which serves as a platform to provide its audience with the latest industry trends helping members expand businesses and gain local and international network for trade and investment promotions. It also offers various business opportunities and best practices in the global arena that strengthen export and import interests. Read More

Congratulations to Ms. Pamela D. Pascual of WTCMM

September 29, 2021 - World Trade Center Management Inc. (WTCMI) and Manila Exposition Complex, Inc. (MEC), general manager and operator of the World Trade Center Metro Manila, respectively, congratulate their President and CEO, Ms. Pamela D. Pascual, for securing a seat in the recently concluded WTCA Board Elections. Pamela’s leadership of WTC Metro Manila for over a decade has resulted in active engagements with different WTCs through trade reciprocity, exhibitions and conventions. She is concurrently a member of the WTCA Accreditations Oversight Committee (AOC). Just last year, she received the inaugural Champions Award for Member of the Year in 2020, an attestation of her personal and professional contribution to the mission/vision of the WTCA. She also chaired the Members Advisory Council, Conference and Exhibitions Committee (Asia Pac), on its inaugural year in 2017 until 2020. Read More

Forging Partnership Through World Trade CONNECT

August 27, 2021 - Amidst the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic, the future of trade shows, exhibitions and conventions, is expected to evolve and thrive in the digital space, either as virtual or hybrid, for safer business and social environments, borderless markets, new and better opportunities, environmental consciousness, and in the end, result in a sustainable business model. World Trade Center Metro Manila’s (WTCMM) President and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Pamela D. Pascual, representing World Trade Center Management, Inc. (WTCMI) formalizes the partnership with World Trade Center Mumbai and M Visvesvaraya Industrial Research and Development Center (MVIRDC), represented by its Vice President, Captain Somesh Batra and Executive Director, Ms. Rupa Naik, for the use of the virtual exhibition platform to be hosted in the online trade exhibition website, www.wetrade.org. The virtual contract signing was held last August 3, 2021. WTC Metro Manila and WTC Mumbai are both active members of the World Trade Centers Association, a premier global network headquartered in New York, USA. The virtual exhibition platform, under the brand name, World Trade CONNECT, will be exclusively marketed in the Philippines by WTCMM with the aim to provide trade show organizers a reliable platform in staging virtual shows and hybrid events, to enable expansion of markets, never before tapped, but now made possible through the WTCONNECT. Read More

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. Read More

MOW XII: Better Health for Fast Business Recovery

May 28, 2021 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) concluded another successful edition of the Markets of the World XII Online with the theme, “Gearing Towards Better Health for Fast Business Recovery”. For over a year now, COVID-19 has resulted in a major economic slowdown globally. For the Philippines, business recovery is seen when the vaccine supply and the vaccination roll-out reaches a stable and efficient level to achieve herd immunity. MOW XII Online brought together exciting personalities from the government and private sectors to share their insights and expound on business recovery initiatives and health programs to help MSMEs navigate the challenges of this health pandemic. Representing the government were DTI Undersecretary Gani Macatoman and CITEM Executive Director Pauline Juan who discussed the department’s programs such as Digital Stores, online consultations, B2B portal, and virtual international trade fairs and exhibitions. Director Aleli Sudiacal of Department of Health (DOH) presented the private sector’s vaccine procurement guidelines and process. On the other hand, private sector’s Intellicare Group’s Aventus Medical, a pioneer in the HMO and Healthcare Service Providers industry in the Philippines, represented by VP/COO Raquel Cagurangan, discussed its critical role during this pandemic and how HMOs are placed to an acid test during these critical times. Ms. Cagurungan also discussed how this time has affected the medical utilization of members. Now, more than ever, people have started to re-think their medical coverage and benefits, as well as mental health issues that have quickly been on the rise during this time. Lastly, FedEx Express being the leading logistics company in the Philippines, Senior Sales Manager, Garrick Thompson discussed its role in the business cycle by providing timely distribution of products, its adaptation to technological transformation being the key to promoting business recovery and how it helps MSMEs transition businesses from local to global. MOW XII Online, generously sponsored by Intellicare Group, FedEx Express, Nephila and Resellee, was viewed by over 90 participants representing varied industries including corporate clients, suppliers, partners and WTCMM Business Club members. MOW is a regular trade education seminar series conducted by the WTCMM Business Club which serves as a platform to provide its audience with the latest industry trends helping members expand businesses and gain local and international network for trade and investment promotions. It also offers various business opportunities and best practices in the global arena that strengthen export and import interests Read More

WTCMM SUPPORTS THE FIRST VIRTUAL WTCA GA

April 30, 2021 - In support of the World Trade Centers Association (WTCA) General Assembly (GA) held on April 26-30, 2021, World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) led the Philippine delegation comprising of over 30 WTCMM Member Delegates who took part in the Association's premier global annual event with its theme, “The Power of Our Community”. A record-number of over 1,000 people attended, including more than 450 B2B Delegates from all over the world represented by over 160 WTCs tuned in from different time zones to take part in the first virtual General Assembly. Through the power of the WTC global network, the Philippine business delegation gained valuable global connections through B2B networking opportunities with WTC members and their member companies who are leaders of various business sectors, members of international organizations and academe, and government representatives. Precious learnings were also gained from various webinar topics led by high-profile experts from all over the world. The opportunity to participate in the virtual 2021 WTCA GA affirms the value of the WTC global network in the businesses of WTCMM member companies, and hopefully be a key to help them rethink and reboot their businesses aligned with their learnings during the week-long event. WTCMM is a Premier Certified Member of the WTCA, and the premier world-class exhibition venue in the Philippines. Read More

WTCMM PARTNERS WITH HIGH-POWERED INSTITUTIONS

March 25, 2021 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) has partnered with two distinguished institutions in the Philippines in the execution of its WTCMM Certificate in International Trade (CIT) Online Program. In the business sector, the American Chamber of Chamber of the Philippines (AmCham) is the oldest chamber abroad and is a member of a strong global network of American Chambers in more than 100 countries worldwide. AmCham Philippines strives to contribute to the growth of Philippine economy and for its socio-economic development. In the Academe, the University of Santo Tomas (UST) is the oldest existing university in Asia and its age sustains pre-eminence in Philippine education. UST is one of the top four universities in the Philippines and is consistently ranked amongst the top 1000 universities in the world. These institutions will adapt and promote the WTCMM CIT Online Program, with UST along with its current academic business program, and the AmCham to its extensive network of professional business organizations. Together with these high-powered institutions, WTCMM continues to strengthen the skills of individuals through the WTCMM CIT Online Program which will allow students and trade practitioners to gain knowledge and professionalize skills to navigate the field of international trade. WTCMM CIT is the core operational qualification for international trade professionals that gives a comprehensive fundamental knowledge on all operational and technical aspects in the exchange of goods and services between countries. Read More

WTCMM: READY TO BE BACK IN BUSINESS

February 26, 2021 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM), the pioneer in the exhibitions industry in the Philippines, is ready to accommodate exhibitions, conferences and special events, after more than ten months of temporary closure due to the Covid-19 pandemic. As part of its preparations, WTCMM has launched B.E. (Business Events) SAFE, a safety program designed to communicate implementations to achieve a safe environment for business events in its exhibition halls and function rooms. This safety program hopes to restore confidence in clients and guests in attending physical events at WTCMM. The B.E. SAFE Program, which outlines the provision of acceptable air quality through air purification and air exchange in the exhibition halls and function rooms, also provides guidance on safety protocols such as following the prescribed capacities in all areas of the building to ensure proper physical distancing, contactless registration, and use of contact tracing apps, among others. WTCMM stands by its commitment to deliver unparalleled world-class service to its clients and guests. The health and safety of everyone remain its top priority while providing a clean and secure environment and ensuring continued efficient and smooth delivery of services. Read More

WTCMM ADVOCATES TO #REOPENSTANDALONEVENUES

January 25, 2021 - World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) advocates for the reopening of stand-alone venues in the midst of a joint memorandum order recently released by the Department of Tourism and the Department of Trade and Industry where it states that essential meetings, colloquia, symposium, business meetings and events are only allowed in venues attached to hotels, restaurants and malls. WTCMM believes that exhibitions and events held in stand-alone venues provide a safer and more secured environment, alongside permitted venues such as hotels, malls and restaurants. Safety protocols and guidelines have been established that will strictly ensure that health risks are mitigated during the conduct of exhibitions and events when crowd control is more manageable with specific capacities. With its vast indoor and outdoor spaces, the halls and meetings rooms can be flexibly subdivided and used for smaller meetings, thereby allowing more space for distancing. Generous spaces are available to comply with the required distance for booth setup, seating capacities and people movement. WTCMM hosts business events where participants provide complete and correct information as part of their event registration. Business events held in WTCMM are not dependent on crowd size but on the quality of targeted exhibitors and participants. Lastly, participants attend for a specific purpose which makes handling & managing foot traffic more efficient and easier to control. WTCMM believes that one of the keys to economic recovery lies in robust trade activities such as trade shows. The exhibition industry is essential in creating the connections that will help rebuild economies. Physical trade shows and exhibitions held in stand-alone, world-class venues, like the WTCMM, will never replace creative executions using digital platforms. Live events in such venues need to be allowed soon. #reopenstandalonevenues Read More

MARKETS OF THE WORLD XI FEAT. DIGITAL TECHNOLOGY

December 29, 2020 - The World Trade Center Metro Manila (WTCMM) organized its very first virtual Markets of the World XI (MOW) last December 11, 2020 entitled “Empowering Business through Digital Technology”. COVID-19 has made a significant impact on everyone allowing us to re-invent and pivot to adapt to challenges. Most businesses have sought ways on how to continue to operate despite the restrictions. The use of digital technologies surged throughout the world paving the way to faster business transactions. Leaning to navigate these various digital industry offerings can be overwhelming but with programs such as the Markets of the World, it can help to adapt easily while coping with the government mandated safety protocols during this pandemic. The MOW XI online webinar discussed the overview of the financial technology industry in the Philippines and the government’s goal towards an inclusive financial digitalization for all Filipinos by 2023. Search engine optimization (SEO) was also featured which gives the key to keeping companies on top of search engines and the advantages of a full-content website and the relevance of social media presence. Also covered was the use of online payments and digital payment gateways that can help facilitate the turn-around of products and services. MOW is a regular trade education seminar series conducted by the WTCMM which serves as a platform to provide its audience with the latest industry trends that will help expand businesses and gain local and international network for trade and investment promotions. It also offers various business opportunities and best practices in the global arena that strengthen export and import interests. Read More