Toycon begins this week.

It is now running in its 10th year at SMX. Convention Center.

There are so many moving parts in this massive event. As an event manager in the Philippines, you cannot relax. You have to prepare physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Having a deep experience in handling and running events counts, but if you want to bring an event to the next level, passion is the key.

You have to be passionate. Repetition leads to boredom and boredom leads to mediocrity, and mediocrity leads to failure.  

Passion is the fire in your eyes and heart to make this coming event burn in the hearts of the raving fans.

Keep the passion and seize the victory meant for any event you are handling.  

More than 160 political leaders, campaign professionals, communication strategists, media practitioners, researchers, and technology innovators gathered at Shangri-La The Fort, Bonifacio Global City, for Campaign Playbook Live 2026, last May 29, 2026, the country's premier conference on political campaigning and voter engagement.

Organized by Vantage Influence, the one-day exclusive conference provided a unique platform for discussing the latest trends, tools, and strategies shaping election campaigns in the Philippines and across the region.

With the theme of preparing campaigns for the future, Campaign Playbook Live 2026 featured an impressive lineup of speakers and panellists from media, research firms, digital platforms, creative production, political consulting groups, and technology companies.

The conference opened with a deep dive into the foundation of any winning campaign: understanding your voter. Panellists challenged the conventional reliance on horse race polling, making the case that the most valuable research identifies the underlying factors that drive voter behavior and have the power to shift the outcome of an election. The discussion explored how campaigns can move from guesswork to precision, using rigorous public opinion research to uncover what voters actually feel, where resources should be directed, and how to speak to the people who will ultimately decide the outcome.

Another highlight of the event was the session on the growing role of Artificial Intelligence in election campaigns. Industry experts explored how AI is transforming voter engagement, content creation, sentiment analysis, crisis management, and campaign operations while emphasizing the importance of ethical and responsible use of emerging technologies.

Media practitioners and communication specialists also led a highly engaging discussion on managing media relations and maintaining disciplined messaging during election campaigns. Attendees gained practical insights on handling interviews, responding to controversies, and building trust with voters through effective communication.

The conference concluded with a timely panel discussion on the roadmap to the 2028 Philippines national elections, moderated by award winning broadcast journalist Rico Hizon. Leading political strategists and public affairs experts examined current events, emerging political trends and evolving voter priorities, and offered sophisticated analysis and predictions going into the 2028 national elections. 

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Participants praised the conference for bringing together diverse perspectives and providing actionable insights that can help campaigns navigate sophisticated political dynamics.

“After two decades and over 100 campaigns, the fundamentals have not changed: the key to winning your voters lies in gaining a deep understanding of their wants and needs," said Aron Shaviv, Founder and CEO of Vantage Influence. "That is what Campaign Playbook Live was about. Exploring the practical reality of what it takes to win."

As preparations gradually begin for the 2028 national elections, Campaign Playbook Live aims to continue serving as a platform for learning, collaboration, and innovation in political communications and campaign management.