Module 2: Industry Stakeholders, Suppliers and Regulators

Activity 3: The Role of Government in MICE Industry

Name: Bael, Monica S. Student Number: ______________

Direction. Read the case study below and answer the guide questions that follow

Executive Events (EE), a Manila-based professional event organizers, is contracted by the

Philippine Association of EENT Doctors (PAED) , which is hosting next year’s International Congress.
it is going to be a big event, with about 700 foreign delegates and about 300 local members
expected to attend. Delegates from several Southeast Asian countries as well as India, Japan, China,
Australia, US, Canada and the UK have signified their intention of participating. Association has also
been receiving positive response on its preliminary spouse program.
It has been decided that the event will be held in Metro Manila. For the congress venue, the
organizers have considered the World Trade Center (WTC), the Philippine Trade Training Center
(PTTC) and the Philippine International Convention Center (PICC). However, they have decided that a
hotel venue would be a better choice because of the additional facilities it offer. They are
nonetheless expected to provide target participants with more choices for accommodation other
than the main congress venue. They have chosen a hotel in the Manila Bay Area, which is just a few
minutes from the International airport. The airport is linked to the hotel via the main highway, Roxas
Boulevard, and through an alternate route, the Macapagal Boulevard. Shopping centers are also
within reach.
A few months before the event, EE has asked the assistance of the Tourism Promotions
Board, the marketing arm of the Department of Tourism (DOT), to provide them with brochures and
maps to be included in their congress kits and to get assistance for the coordination of a government
inter-agency meeting, composed of representatives from the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA),
Manila International Airport Authority, Bureau of Immigration, Bureau of Quarantine, Bureau of
Customs, and the Philippine National Police. In an inter-agency meeting like this, concerned
government offices are informed of the details of an International event.
The DFA is provided with specific information on delegates who would need to secure visa to
enter the country and to help promote attendance overseas. The airport authority is asked to extend
courtesies of the port and for permission to display info materials, such as desktop signage and
banners at the airport. The airport authority also grants passes for the welcome party to enter up to
the carousel area and for the use of the VIP lounge on certain occasions.
 The DOT office at the airport must be provided with the delegates or at least the speakers
exact flight details to arrange a welcome reception, which may include a r ondalla performance and
Sampaguita leis upon request.
The Bureau of Quarantine is particularly invited when alerts on diseases, such as SARS, Avian
Flu and EBOLA are up.
The Bureau of Customs provides important information on duties and taxes levied on goods
entering the country.The timely entry of goods for the exhibit is important as well as the application
of corresponding duties and taxes for exhibit goods that will be brought out of the country after the
event.
Finally, the security matters must be discussed with the police. The police must be informed
of the specific tour itinerary to include the spouse program, and whether rider escorts and panelling
would be required.
When all is set, the organizers hope for the best and make sure nothing goes wrong on the
red-letter day.

Guide Questions:
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of holding an international congress in a hotel compared
to a convention center?
2. What infrastructure must be present in a destination to host international events?
3. What is the government’s role in the conduct of such international affairs?
4. Who among the government agencies takes the lead and works directly with EE?
5. What specific government services are mentioned in the case study?
Answer:
1. What are the strengths and weaknesses of holding an international congress in a hotel
compared to a convention center?
STRENGTHS
 Hotel offers facilities that a convention center doesn’t have
 The convenience of residing at the hotel where the International Congress is held is available
to participants.
 Many popular tourist attractions and places, as well as prominent economic, historic, and
cultural districts, would be within walking distance of the hotel. Parks and museums may be
nearby, and it may have a view of them.
 It is only a few minutes from the airport, which is helpful for international delegates because
they will not get trapped in Manila traffic because it is so near.
WEAKNESS
 People are everywhere at the hotel, so there's a potential that solitude and silence won't
always be observed.
 Some facilities may have access restrictions because they need you to check in before using
them.
 Because of their hotel accommodations, attendees will pay a greater cost.
 Hotel amenities are prioritized over exhibition and convention features in the design and
construction services.

2. What infrastructure must be present in a destination to host international events?