Ad Congress propels Baguio as RP convention capital

The recently concluded Advertising Congress at the CAP-John Hay Convention Center once again put the city of Baguio on the radar screen of professional convention, seminar, incentive and events planners.

With the cool, inviting weather that lowlanders can only dream of, the city’s distinct offerings attract organizers always in search of the perfect venue for that special event. The city proved that it can host big groups such as the nearly 5,000 delegates, trade exhibitors and practitioners of advertising and other related industries who descended en masse on the mountain retreat for the much awaited biennial Ad Congress.

The newly built CAP-John Hay Convention Center delivered everything it promised. State-of-the-art facilities supported all the Ad Congress’ meticulous hi-tech requirements. The main hall was the site of many sessions, culminating in the highly anticipated Araw Awards night, the Oscars of the Philippine advertising industry.

With a dazzling and glitzy "Hollywood goes to Baguio" theme, the Ad Congress of 2003 surpassed everybody’s expectations.

"It was a daunting task setting up all the heavy duty light and sound systems, video walls, rappeling system, generators including perimeter and security lighting systems among others," said Afif Khodr, chairman of the congress subcommittee for venues, president of the Advertising Suppliers Association of the Philippines and CEO of Son et Lumierer/Sellco International. "The CAP-John Hay Convention Center’s technical and engineering staff were very efficient and generous with the full support they accorded the organizers considering the extent of our needs."

The meal preparations for the daily breakfast, lunch and dinner of the delegates would have been a logistics nightmare for the uninitiated but Billy King and his crew came prepared to face the challenge. With his staff of 500 cooks, waiters and stewards, King churned out the goodies from his ultra-modern kitchen in the convention center.

"We served an average of 2,000 persons per meal and it was heatwarming to receive letters and personal gestures of appreciation from the delegates who appreciated the food," said King. The fish soup, the lamb with satay sauce, pasta with prawns and three cheeses, the prawns tempura and the lamb kofta, a dish of ground lamb with tamarind sauce and yogurt, emerged as favorites. Those with the sweet tooth relished the chocolate mousse gateau and the fresh strawberries in Grand Marnier.

"We were very impressed with the hands-on approach of the Camp John Hay staff from the top executives down to the service staff," said Andre Kahn, chairman of the congress programs committee and president of advertising company, J Romero Associates.

As an intense networking and social event, delegates spent the days bonding with clients, colleagues and business prospects on Camp John Hay’s world-class Jack Nicklaus-designed 18-hole golf course. Camp John Hay Manor, home for some delegates during the four-day congress, was the place to see and to be seen at. The Piano Bar was the scene of much business and social interaction. To keep up with the need for first-class accommodations, The Manor Suites will open later this year with an additional 280 rooms.

According to Dodie Lucas, chairman of the congress administration committee and managing director RTV Division of post-production company, Roadrunner Network Inc., the organizing committee received tremendous assistance from the Baguio Tourism Council headed by Bong Tabora, who mobilized all their resources to ensure the success of the event. They even provided the organizers with a 20-year meteorological study of Baguio weather that enabled them to select the dates that will assure perfect weather for the Congress. And perfect weather they had. Conventioneers reveled in the cool, comfortable weather, clear skies and brisk nights, BTC also assisted in coordinating the student volunteers from various Baguio schools who helped different committees and astounded the organizers with their diligence and tenacity when faced with such adverse conditions. "The Baguio student volunteers were heroes as far as I’m concerned," said Lucas.

The Baguio city government, led by Mayor Bernardo Vergara, went all out to welcome back the delegates to the city that last hosted the Ad Congress in 1995. As they rolled out the welcome mat, the Baguio police and the Camp John Hay security team worked overtime to ensure the safety of the delegates and the guest of honor, President Gloria Macapagal-Arroyo, who graced the opening ceremonies with a large entourage led by Tourism Secretary Richard Gordon.

Baguio City’s economy saw a boom in the sale of the special Baguio pasalubongs from fresh vegetables, peanut brittle, ube and strawberry jam, to the "walis", silver jewelry, hand crocheted shawls and bonnets and wood carvings. One does not leave Baguio without experiencing a unique shopping trip to the Ukay-ukay for the rare vintage finds. The creative bunch filled the different restaurants and bars that have produces some of the country’s best folk singers and bands.

Baguio is on a roll and the Ad Congress proved that the city is back on its feet and raring to go.