CBM 2017’s slew of activities set to spur business in the region
Celebrated every month of June and spearheaded by the Cebu Chamber of Commerce and Industry (CCCI), the month-long Cebu Business Month (CBM) was organized to celebrate the significant achievements and leadership role that Cebu businessmen play in enterprise development, socio-economic prosperity and nation-building.
CBM 2017 shall banner the theme “STEP Up Cebu” which stands for “Stepping Up Technology, Entrepreneurship, and Productivity for the Upliftment of Cebu.” Through the CBM 2017 programs, CCCI intends to contribute to the competitive advantage of Cebu in the global economy, thereby propelling Cebu businesses to catalyze inclusive growth in the region.
CBM aims to inspire, promote, and grow Cebu business by gathering industry stakeholders to activities and events in the areas of Tourism, Information and Communications Technology and Business Process Management (ICT-BPM), Entrepreneurship, and Creative Industries.
CBM calendar of events
The CBM Grand Launch and Press Conference took place last Apr. 27 at the Marco Polo Plaza Hotel with the presentation of the CBM 2017 working committees, lined up events, sponsors’ Memorandum of Agreement signing, and media interviews.
The Grand Opening Salvo will take place on June 1 at The Terraces, Ayala Center Cebu with lots of fanfare, fellowship, and speeches to welcome the event takeoff.
Among the many highlights for the next few days is the Exhibit for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises featuring Kapatid Mentor Me Mentees, headed by the Department of Trade and Industry. Participants are the graduates of the two-month long training program of aspiring entrepreneurs who will showcase their products and services at the Ayala Activity Center.
The Cebu Digital Innovation Summit takes place on June 2 to 3 at the Summit Galleria Hotel. This event shall provide a knowledge sharing platform on how digital innovation will continue to be critical to your success, how to prepare your company, how to adapt to new technologies that may disrupt your business, and disruptive innovation.
For tourism, the Lumba’g Laag sa Sugbo “Race to Cebu’s Hidden Attractions” takes place on June 10 to 12 in the south of Cebu, as the interactive event ala Suroy Suroy Sugbo, and AXN’s Amazing Race, shall promote and showcase Cebu’s tourism, food, people, culture and heritage through technology and adventure.
The Cebu Travel and Tourism Summit is set for June 16 at the Cebu City Marriot Hotel. Among the scheduled topics are knowledge sharing platform and promotion on the latest travel technologies, talks on online reputation management and marketing skills, importance of tour guiding learning program, eco-tourism and heritage, Cebu as a MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conventions, Exhibitions) destination, health and wellness, retirement haven, and tourism opportunities.
The STEP UP Cebu Entrepreneurship Conference and Expo takes place on June 20 to 22 at the Waterfront Cebu City Hotel and Casino with the theme “Enabling Business Growth through Technology and Innovation.”
This knowledge-sharing platform brings together policy makers, industry business sectors, academe, inventors/innovators, innovation centers, and other business support institutions, essential to generating greater impact in creating a supportive ecosystem. This includes an up-close encounter with business icons sharing their inspirational stories, best practices, experiences, and strategies.
Also featured here is the 2017 Department of Science and Technology (DOST) Regional Invention Contest and Exhibit (RICE) and Technology Transfer; the one-stop shop of Business Support and Solutions for MSMEs; and the CEO Night with a coffee table discussion with the invited business icon and networking dinner. The latter is geared for CEOs and COOs from the Cebu’s business community as well as government agencies in a night of networking, knowledge sharing, and learning opportunities.
The Business-in-Golf Tournament takes place at the Alta Vista Golf Club on June 16, while the Digital Marketing Competition Awarding Ceremonies takes place on June 27 at the Atrium of Robinson’s Galleria.
This event encourages students to capture first-hand information of the LGUs/municipalities to develop a promotional campaign and present it in the most creative digital way to provide a two-way learning experience for the students and the LGU.
The Grand Chamber Awards and Fellowship Night is scheduled on June 30. This culminating activity will recognize the Outstanding Cebuano Entrepreneurs who have demonstrated exemplary performance in their fields of business and applied ethical practices that reflect the ideas of corporate social responsibility.
 
By RICHARD RAMOS