Attention grabbing products are a joy to the eyes and to the soul of the consumers.

Filipinos are the undeclared undisputed King of the videoke even if it originated in Japan. There is a new product on display at FILNEGOSYO EXPO. The product is a videoke cum MTV machine that allows the singer to be recorded inside a scenic background. Ala MTV talaga.So attractive is the product that it is one of the most visited booth in the event.

You should try it. The joy of crooning your fave song and watching yourself installed in a video a naturally high that NEXTSTAR product can give you.

Two thumbs up!

The Network of Entreprising Women (NEW) and Developing Resources for Entrepreneurial Advancement and Mobilization (DREAM) are two entrepreneurial groups to watch.

Yesterday their talks are well attended and full of wisdom and tips that if one will be disciplined to follow the goal to be successful is achievable.

Kudos to the two groups and the inspiring talks you gave. I am hoping, just like what Mr. Carl Balita states that he will be very happy if three among the listeners become a successful entrepreneurs.

FILNEGOSYO EXPO has two days left and there are still learning sessions that are capable of giving you the ooommmmppphhh to start your business or make your business successful NOW!

Seth Godin said that marketing begins before the product and service is made. If I may add, being a professional marketer is synonymous to being a rockstar.

Yesterday at FILNEGOSYO was a blast indeed, sans the body slams and other tribal antics, the talk of Mr. Alex Flores, Phil. Marketing Association President, Mr. George Macasero, Entrepreneurs Society of the Philippines President, and Tim Bennet, If Feel Good, Inc. President.

Attendees where treated to an explosion of knowledge and great public speaking. Sort of like being experiencing Nirvana when your listening to music.

Yup! The seminar area is more than filled to the rafters and the attendees, most especially the students is asking for more.

Indeed, the year ushers for a new breed of rockstars - the Marketing Rockstars!

Google is the king!

Even in FILNEGOSYO EXPO Google packed the seminar area and many were forced to listen standing and around the seminar area just to listen to Ms. Aileen Apollo, Google Country Representative.

This indicates that Google is a company Filipinos most especially the young ones hold dear to their hearts.

Ms. Apollo discussed the many features,tools and values Google provides to its millions of users.

Ms. Apollo is set to have a repeat performance this June 28, Saturday at FILNEGOSYO EXPO. For those who missed the first session you still have a chance to listen and throw your questions to Google.

Happy googling!

I am amazed or furious to some people who just utter BRANDING and do not do the necessary things to protect or enhance the BRAND.

A BRAND is not a logo displayed and promoted and left lifeless in the dark corners of our organization. A BRAND is a breathing specie. Alive and ready to engage anyone, most especially those from which it was created.

Most of all, if we are in the service industry a BRAND is an experience. A CUSTOMER SERVICE that strives to achieve happy and good memories to the heart of the customer.

Jomari Yllana, endorser and franchisee of RAPIDE led other SME entrepreneurs in opening the 6th FILNEGOSYO EXPO, June 20-29,2008.

FILNEGOSYO EXPO is the only tradeshow and exhibition in the country that is being held for 10 days. For details call 640-1280 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

Just want to buzz you guys that FILNEGOSYO EXPO is ongoing and interesting business opportunities are there to be seen and grabbed if... and a big IF you want to enter into a business.

Just in case you forget, FILNEGOSYO EXPO start this Friday, June 20. It is a ten day event of enriching your Entrepreneurial knowledge and giving you a line-up of business opportunities that you can easily start with.

Over 50 seminars will be discussed, six associations to listen to, and 200 exhibitors to watch-out for.

I hope to see you there!

June is not the same June last year.

Last year there are few events taking place in June but now...

A LOT OF EVENTS are taking place in the archipelago. Sort of an EVENT MONTH.

The once sleepy June is a month where a lot of conferences, tradeshows and exhibitions are taking place.

I love this feeling. I love the atmosphere. The sense of being in the zone.

Grabe ang sarap ng ganito. Tired and toxic but happy.

Hope events keep on pouring and, importantly, fire-up the economy of our nation.

Watch out!

Yes! This is how I feel during the general meeting yesterday, May 30 at PICC of the Philippine Association of Conventions,Exhibitions,Organizers and Suppliers (PACEOS) which EXLINK is part of.

The speaker from PICC is a great speaker with a deep emotion and belief that our country can regain the lost honor that we have when we started the MICE industry in Asia-Pacific.

Yes, we are, as most other industries, the pioneer of exhibitions in Asia-Pacific and then because of politics has gone to the wayside.

But globalization forces us to team-up as a nation, as one strong team of Philippine MICE.

For those who would like to know more, the Philippine MICE Forum is on August 14-15,2008, at Sofitel. International speakers of the events and exhibitions industries will be there.

See you there!

I am posting the Young Entrepreneur Congress (YEC) Seminar Sked. The event will take place this coming June 23-26, 2008.

The event aims to serve the graduating marketing, business management and entrepreneurship students of different schools in the Metro.

However, during the past schools from the provinces was able to send their students in the event.

The event has four general topics: Leadership, Sales and Marketing, Technology for Business and Finance.

At first glance, these topics might be boring but wait! The speakers are great and the knowledge they will share are a product of their success stories using their tricks of the trade, taking this into account, what you will get from the event is PRICELESS for you as a budding entrepreneur.

Hey for those who are reading this blog, I will be around and just tell the secretariat that you have read this blog and I have instructed them to give something for you, a token of appreciation for giving your time and attention.

So see you there!

My hats off to the Salt and Light and Inspire Consultancy for creating an event such as the John Maxwell Conference this coming June 10 at Edsa Shangrila.

The last time I heard the main venue already is overflowing so they have to get a new room to accomodate those last minute participants. And I am talking about the Edsa Shang venue.

Anyway, what I like to give focus is the simultaneous livecast in other 9 different venues all over the Philippines of this great event.

The power of technology to give a particular event an effect as big as this magnitude is radically awesome.

So what's next for an event to accomplish is mind boggling.

Technology and the Filipino Creativity...endless possibilities.

The Philippine Marketing Association President Mr. Alex Flores will speak in the upcoming FIL-NEGOSYO Expo, June 20-29, 2008, Megatrade, SM Megamall.

He will talk on "Micro Business Best Practices to Ensure Your Way to the Top", June 28,2008.

Together with Mr. Flores are other top and successful resource speakers that will give FREE BUSINESS SEMINARS to the public on how to make their business successful.

For a complete line-up of the program, email: info_exlink@yahoo.com or call 643-3887.

I was in a meeting yesterday, we met with one of the pillars of the tradeshow and exhibition industry. We are negotiating for the booth price. The meeting was held in his office.

When the meeting started it was clear that the price will be the dealmaker.

As we gave our reasons why the price should be lowered, our counterpart did one of the best and smooth way to handle our request. He concentrated on the value of their services versus the competition. He enumerated the benefits that we will be getting out of tapping their services.

He compared his company and services to a Honda car while the nearest competitor that is bidding our account a Kia car. He explained it in a very smooth and convincing way.

In the end, he won our account.

Most of the times, as sales and marketing professional who are pressured to convince our clients, we are stalled when they focus on the price. We encounter difficulties in persuading them not to focus on the price per se but on the totality of our services.

But as to what I experienced yesterday, we must never give-up but persevere to explain and show the values of our services, the more when what we say is true.

Because an excellent service or product really has a higher price compared to a mediocre one, which in the end can give bigger benefits to our clients.

So next time, remember the Honda and Kia story of value and price.

Recently, I encountered a marketing student applying as an OJT in our company. She came from a pedigree school. I asked her if she knows anything about tradeshows and exhibition, she answered me with a question mark look. After that she said, ano po yun.It was not discussed in our class.

Most of the time, the same experience happens whenever I asked a marketing student or any student about tradeshows and exhibition. It seems events is a promotion tool left for marketing and business enthusiast to discover.

Sayang naman!

Tradeshows and exhibition offers the following benefits and advantages that a company can have:

1. Brand Recognition - no matter how small you are. Pwede kang mapansin sa tradeshows

2. Generate Quality Leads - tradeshows and exhibition speeds up the selling process by providing quality leads.

3. Thought Leadership - I remember Mr. Josiah Go's statement in one of his seminar which I attended, if you want to be considered an expert in your industry offer your services for free. In a tradeshow you can do that, speak in front of a group of visitors and watch most of them become an instant fan or follower, provided you have substance in you topics.

These are the major advantages and benefits of exhibition as promotion tool. If you want to make the most out of each event, consider measuring your participtation in these three salient points.

Hi to all good-looking people out there!

I would like to ask a favor. You see FIL-NEGOSYO EXPO's main highlight is a FREE CONFERENCE that presents different speakers in the Industry.

We have a New Media for Marketing Series and it's almost complete but one. We want to have a representative from Friendster Philippines to speak on Social Networking (my apologies to Multiply people).

So now, I am asking any kind hearted being reading this. Guys, may I have the Friendster Philippine address and contact numbers. Even their email address will do.

Thank you people! I promise to reserve the front row seats to you during the event.

Guys! This Saturday, February 23, 2008,8am -5pm . There is an event about Marketing Strategies in UP Diliman Bahay ng Alumni.

The speakers are great. One of them is Ms. Emily Abrera of McCann Ericson.

One of the organizers is Junior Marketing Association.

The good thing about this event is it will only cost you P850.00 per pax. By the way, there are four speakers. I suggest you don't miss this event.

Happy Marketing!

It is sad when your country is hit by a controversy that can stall its bright future. As to the controversy, I think it should be resolved and the guilty party punished.

But for the entrepreneurs and the organizations that run this country, I say we must buckle-up and move-on. We cannot be paralyzed by this turmoil. We cannot be discouraged. We have a bigger responsibility that is to ensure that our country reach its progressive destination.

We need leaders with conscience and integrity. We do not need leaders that we must moderate the greed.We need leaders that care and love this country by action. I believe these leaders can be found in the business industry and entrepreneurs who do business to service and bless others.

Onward and let's make this country ASIA and the rest of the world will look for and emulate very soon.

Time to buy discounted air fare ticket for your planned vacation sortee!

The Phil. Travel Tour Expo is on-going until tomorrow at SMX Mall of Asia. Travel Tour packages only available in this tradeshow are great buys!

So hurry and visit this great event!

February is about to end. How's your promotion strategies? I hope it is working or 90% of it is working. If not, then it's time for revisions. As you make your revisions, it is time to consider the budget allocation and the tools you are using. Stike-off those that are ineffective.

Still to early to revise? How about tweaking it a bit. As they say, a drop of pebble can cause a major wave. While you are tweaking consider the following tradeshows and exhibition schedules
that you might want to join. You should join! Try one of the events and if it produces the desired results then its time to make all systems go.

Here are the must join tradeshows and exhibitions:

a. FILNEGOSYO EXPO - June 20-29, 2008, Megatrade, SM Megamall
b. FILNEGOSYO EXPO - October 14-19, 2008, Megatrade, SM Megamall
c. Asian Business Expo - November 28-30, SMX, Mall of Asia
d. Megabalikbayan Expo - December 10-14, Megatrade, SM Megamall

Tradeshows are becoming a precious tool. Never forget to include it in your promotion plan.
For this year is the year of ENGAGEMENT. ENGAGE your clients and target market. Tradeshow is one ofthe best tool to help you realize this objective.

Last night, the Philippine Marketing Association (PMA) held their induction of new officers at the Manila Polo Club.

The event featured Mr. Sammie Lim, President, Philippine Chamber of Commerce and Industry (PCCI), as one of the keynote speakers.

His talk moved me as it ended by emphasizing that every business in the country must have a Philippine Agenda. An agenda that must be alongside the business objectives all businessmen wanted to achieve.

This statement coming from one of business icons in our country only meant that any business must contribute for the betterment of our society. As businessmen, we cannot neglect or turn our back to the pressing matter of pushing this country to a level of development where all of us Filipinos are living a life of comfort and respect - a life where our country will be worthy to be called first world.

Today's globalization forces us to deal and make business with other countries. Indeed, It is a small world now. It is only fitting that whenever we make business with other countries we must always keep on the top of our minds our PHILIPPINE AGENDA.

I hope we see each other soon where our Philippines is considered a first world country - that will be cloud 9!

This year big and small companies will be gunning to give the best brand experience and engagement to their consumers. Many marketing tools will be summoned to accomplish the mission of creating a lasting relationship with their target market.

Having said this, tradeshows and exhibitions will play a major role in achieving these bonding target with the consumers.

Therefore, it is better to prepare now your tradeshow and exhibition requirements and objectives. For being early and prepared is half the battle won.

We at EXLINK Corp. have four major events in store for you this year, We have FILNEGOSYO EXPO June, FILNEGOSYO October, MEGA BALIKBAYAN AND CHRISTMAS EXPO December,all in SM Megamall, and lastly, ASIAN BUSINESS EXPO November, an International event to be held at SMX Mall of Asia.

These events are all business events. If you are an SME or a business start-up be sure to join or visit these events. It is a must if you are passionate in growing your business.

But of course, the best seat are reserved for those who will join the events. Visiting gives you the feel, while Participating gives you the benefits the Tradeshows and Exhibitions offer.

The International Christmas Festival (ICF) is on-going, it started last December 18 and is to end December 23, 2007, at Megatrade, SM Megamall.

For those looking for one of the best entertainment shows, ICF is the place to visit.

There are cosplays, PILYOZ Dancing Statues, Cultural presentations by Center for Arts and a lot more.

Besides the shows, there are exhibits that features business opportunites and gift ideas you will surely like.

For details, call 640-1280 or email: info_exlink@yahoo.com.

December is the most cluttered month in marketing. Promotions, ads and events can be seen, heard in every corner. Our mind is totally exhausted. Our pockets empty - zilch!

Viewing this positively, for a marketer it is the ultimate challenge. The season of buying provokes the mind of the marketer to search vigourously to the gap or window of opportunity a buyers mind have. The thing is be on top of the mind of the buyer. The questions is how to be remarkble this December so that the buyers buy and flock in numbers in your events.

Tradeshows and events ultimate weapon is one-to-one engagement.

The power of engagement will answer the challenge of convincing the buyers to buy. Since people sell not products or services.

After realizing this, the next big thing is to make the event THE EVENT that the target market wants to visit. This is the bigger puzzle that we need to solve. What are the ingredients that are needed to attract thousands to flock to the venue of your event. Unmindful of the traffic and other discomforts.

There are a lot of factors that will make this happen but my recommendation is look for two EDGES that will drive the visitors crazy not to be in your event.

But once the visitors are in the event or tradeshows, the people manning the booths must be prepared to ENGAGE and provide a wonderful BRAND Experience.

Free Entrance with a chance to win fabulous raffle prizes while being educated, entertained and offered a variety of business ideas you can start with.

All these in the upcoming Balikbayan Business Expo / Mega Christmas Expo, Dec. 14-16, 2007.

To fellow entrepreneurs grab the opportunity to promote in the only business tradeshow event in December!

For inquiries call tel # 643-3887 / 640-1280.

Time flies very very fast!

It's 10 days to go for Balikbayan Business Expo / Mega Christmas Expo, December 14-16, Megatrade, SM Megamall.

The event will feature the following educational and entertaining activities: Christmas Ham Making (yummy!) by Ms. Lourdes Rivera, Philippine Meat Guru of the famed Ultima Entrepinoy Forum; Center for Pop Music Concert, Business Opportunity Presentations on Perfume Making, Financial Investment, Apparrel Business, Soap and Dishwashing Business, Pitbull Show and Competition (arrff,arrfff) , Free Jam Youth Band Concert, Pilyoz Dancing Golden Statues (cool!)

Plus giveaways, raffle prizes and a lot more giving and sharing to lucky visitors and exhibitors.

For promotional and selling opportunity call tel # 643-3887 or visit : www.exlinkevents.com.

Balikbayan Business Expo/Mega Christmas Expo the best December tradeshow event for OFW and OFW families seeking to invest wisely their hard earned money is only 22 days away before it hits the Metro Manila.

A lot of activities are lined-up to educate and entertain visitors, especially the OFW families. There are also raffles and giveaways for lucky visitors and buyers.

For interested parties looking for promotion and sponsorship opportunities call tel # 643-3887 or visit: www.exlinkevents.com.

Grab the biggest opportunity of promoting and selling in December in SM Megamall. Join Balikbayan Business Expo / Mega Christmas Expo, December 14-16, Megatrade, SM Megamall.

Its a tradeshow that will gather OFW families, SMEs and SM December Buyers in during paydays. Wow! What more can you ask for.

To cash-in in this event contact tel # 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com.

The recent FIL-NEGOSYO EXPO October 23-26, 2007, at Megatrade, SM Megamall was a success.

The heavy turn-out of exhibitors and visitors accounted for the success of the event. Around 140 exhibitors and 20,000 visitors took the opportunity to maximize the benefits FIL-NEGOSYO offers.

The event is managed by EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corporation. For booking inquiries for December Tradeshows contact 643-3887 or visit: www.exlinkevents.com.

Yesterday was a blast! We were presenting to one of our big clients. As we are making a pitch and the values that they can get from one of our upcoming events, the clients did something that stunned us.

She wants and is asking for something different, an out of the box or no box situation or communication campaign ( a booming voice goes with it).

I am melting from my seat while I listen to her. It is like being inside Dantes' Inferno (I mean it). However, the upside of it is that I am enjoying the melting process.

In front of me are signs of changes that is sweeping the promotion and communication industry. Yup, it is a change that the upcoming AD Congress will talk about. It is what the companies are after right now!

It is to allow their brands' personalities to be experienced by the consumers - the best way to penetrate and occupy a space in the consumers mind.

Having said this, it is now an imperative for companies to increase EXPERIENCE MARKETING (EM) in their marketing strategies.

EXPERIENCE Marketing is allowing the consumers to engage, feel and experience the brand. Thus, translating to an increased brand equity and desired bottom line results.

This is where TRADE SHOW and EXHIBITIONS come in - one of the potent EM tool that you can have (To expound on this area is another blog).

Going back to the client that is ranting for something new for her brand. Great to say that we have reached an agreement. We know her need and we are willing to move heaven and earth to satisfy her.

Thank God!

Learn to earn and run your business successfully for FREE !

Young Entrepreneurs Society (YES), Entrepreneurs Society of the Philippines (ESP) and Association of Marketing Educators (AME) joined hands to give FREE SEMINARS at the YOUNG ENTREPRENEURS CONGRESS - FIL-NEGOSYO EXPO, October 23-28, 2007, Megatrade, SM Megamall.

Free seminars will range from the following topics: Leadership, Entrepreneurship, Finance, Technology, Sales and Marketing.

The FREE SEMINARS is in line with FIL-NEGOSYO's objective of promoting Entrepreneurship and SMEs in the country.

For details and promotion opportunities call tel # 643-3887 or email : info_exlink@yahoo.com.

The recent issue of Entrepreneur Magazine Philippines cited Tradeshow as an effective tool in the following Promotion Strategy: Personal Selling, Sales Promotions and Public Relations.

This shows how versatile and effective Tradeshow Marketing.

But other than this information, Tradeshow Marketing is proving to be the emerging tool of choice for : experiential marketing - a term coined for allowing your products and services be experienced by your consumers. This is in line with the " branding" issue that our products and services face.

The increased budgets of the bigger companies in "below-the-line" promotion, which includes tradeshows, is a clear indication of the appreciation of how effective the tool is.

Now that you know this, I strongly suggest that you include tradeshow in your marketing plan and make it as an integral part of your marketing strategy.

For tradeshow promotion opportunities and sponsorship call tel # 643-3887 or email : info_exlink@yahoo.com.

'til next time.

Orly

The National Youth Commission, the leading government arm for developing our youth endorses FIL-NEGOSYO Expo, October 23-28, 2007.

The endorsement signifies the importance of FIL-NEGOSYO as one of the events where the youth's interest on entrepreneurship can grow.

FIL-NEGOSYO EXPO is on its fifth run. The event is organized by Megatrade, SM Megamall and managed by EX-LINK Management and Marketing Servces Corp.

Event media partners are Asenso Pinoy T.V., OFW Ngayon, Business Mirror, Business World, Graphic Magazine, Manila Times, Entreprise Magazine, 88DB.Com, Yehey!, Web Philippine, Energy FM and NU107.

For bookings and promotional opportunities call 643-3887 or email info_exlink@yahoo.com.

September and the office is bustling with activities. A lot of exhibitors are calling the office. The marketing department is like a beehive with a lot of buzz going around. While in the the operation department we are going gaga over all the media partners trying to be part of the event.

Indeed, FILNEGOSYO October is on a roll and full steam ahead. It is ready to give start up entrepreneurs, students and other precious visitors a business tradeshow like no other. Just imagine going to a supermarket shelves full of business opportunities and edutainment ready for the picking!

FIL-NEGOSYO Expo will have Young Enterpreneurs Society, Entrepreneurs Society of the Philppines and Association of Marketing Educators to give FREE Seminars.

It will also give FREE BUSINESS COACHING and MENTORSHIPS courteousy of our training partners.

The event is also endorsed by National Youth Commission.

So to those who wanted to benefit from the promotion opportunity the event offers call tel # 643-3887 or email us at info_exlink@yahoo.com.

The event is organized by SM Megatrade and managed by EX-LINK Management and Markeing Services Corp.