Kudos to Center for Arts Foundation for successfully staging " Echoes and Dreams" a benefit concert for rape victims.

The concert was held last Friday and performers like Richard Poon, Ronnie Liang, Jed Madela, Mike Chan graced the show.

But all eyes where focused on the jazz singing diva Estella Ignacio and other Center for Arts Foundation Talents.

Kudos to Jerome Vinarao for making this for a good-cause-concert possible!

The current global crisis can kill the faint of heart. Many already did ( No kidding!).But a special breed of group those that are molded to be one is taking the cudgels for our country. They are the entrepreneurs.

Our export entrepreneurs are hit badly but I believe those that are true to their calling will bounce back.

Why am I saying these?

Entrepreneurs are simply opportunity seekers. The more dangerous the situation is the more there are opportunities!

Our client developers are developing property in breakneck speed this year. Some of our taipans are continuously increasing their investment in some of their core business, to name a few, San Miguel Beer, Gokongwei and Sy's of SM are investing a great deal of money in this year.

So let us stop cowering in fear of losing our jobs because according to People Management Association of the Philippines (PMAP) 60% of the member companies are looking for new employees.

And what if you lose your job, it can be god send that the reason why you lose your job is to fulfill your calling of being an entrepreneur! This is the story of Mr. Butch Albaraccin, founder of the Center for Pop Music.

Again, fellow entrepreneurs forward march and let us continue the progress of our country!

A lot of things are happening in a blur...

So if social marketing in the net is the thing in our generation will physical social gathering obsolete or a thing of the past?

But if not then will fragmentation continue to happen in the media?

If it does, what happen to our brain and attention span?

Can our brain take the tons of clutter in media and what happen to entrepreneurs seeking to get a chunk of the market if he cannot be recognized or seen?

Just thoughts that maybe some of you can help me out.

Fight Recession! Invest your Money! Grow Your Business!

Join OFW NEGOSYO POWER EXPO at TRINOMA. The exhibit site is in the entrance where the MRT commuters disembarked and enter the mall. This means high traffic and high chances of getting maximum exposure for your productts and services.

Join and watch your sales leapfrog!

For inquiries call tel# 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com.

The Entrepreneurs Society of the Philippines (ESP) is a 20 year old organization this year. This coming February 19 we will be having our Fellowship. Non member who wanted to nurture, network and grow their entrepreneurial drive may join us.

For further details call tel# 643-3887 look for Cressa.

Enjoy the 500,000 weekday traffic and 800,000 weekend traffic in SM North Edsa!

Join the Business Technology and Graphics Expo, April 30 - May 13 and June 25 - July 8, 2009, Ground Floor, Westmall Atrium.

Your promotion investment will be worthy, GUARANTEED!

For inquiries call tel # 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

In celebration of the Women's Month GONEGOSYO is holding the Babae Yaman Ka ng Bayan Expo, March 2, 2009, at the World Trade Center. Around 5,000 to 10,000 visitors are expected to grace the event.

For booking inquiries call us at tel # 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

EX-LINK Management and Marketing Services Corporation is the official exhibit marketing partner of the event.

The first Philippine International Parking Expo and Conference, October 30-31,2009, SMX Convention Center - the first in Asean region is now accepting bookings and partnerships.

The event will be the definitive regional event on the industry be the first to reap the benefits of networking with top international and local players and suppliers of the parking industry.

For inquiries call tel # 643-3887 or visit www.philparkingevents.com or www.exlinkevents.com.

Learn more on how to take care of Planet Earth!

Take advantage of the green economy!

All these and a lot more information for free in the Rotary's Saving Planet Earth Conference, March 7, at Insular Life Building Auditorium ,Ayala Avenue, Makati.

Entrance is free so don't miss it!

For promotion opportunities call tel # 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

If anyone of you who are in a association or a big group and is planning to hold a big event. Exhibits, Conferences or the likes and is finding it hard to make it fly...

Worry no more!

We are a professional meeting planner and exhibition organizer - we are the answer to your worries and problems.

Call us now at tel# 643-3887 / 640-1280 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

Hiring people for events and exhibits marketing is very hard!

First, there are very few schools that offer exhibition marketing and management as a course.

Second, the industry is an exciting industry but demands hard work, which only a few people are willing to undergo.

So each and everytime, I am faced with an applicant aspiring to be part of the industry, almost always I am like facing a white wall.

There was a time that we ranked number 3 in Asia in tradeshow and exhibition, now where are somewhere in the 50 and above.

As competition becomes tougher and as other government realized faster the importance of exhibition in the country's development, our industry in our country becomes deep in the abyss of uncertainty and...

the more it is hard to find people talented, energetic, knowledgeable and visionary in charting the way of exhibition and expo in our country.

I hope there is light at the end of this dark tunnel.

If you are looking for events and exhibits calendar for the whole year where you can strategically promote your products and services.

You may call at tel # 640-1280 / 643-3887 or visit. www.exlinkevents.com.

This year is tough with a lot of companies left and right declaring bankruptcy . While other companies are racing in breaking the sad news of retrenching thousands of employees.

But that is life! The challenge is to survive the business. The mission is to fullfill the vision of your company's reason for being.

Most of the companies vision are for the improvement of the quality of society and life ( I presume). Surviving then becomes a compelling reason in this year and the coming years.

Times like these call for synergy! Synergy where the sum of the whole is greater than the value of the parts (e.g. 1 + 1 = 3).

Havings said this, I invite fellow entrepreneurs that if you have a worthwhile event let us know and if our interests meet then we can be your partner.

Call us now at tel # 643-3887 / 640-1280 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

Promote your properties! Sell it faster that the average promotion tool.

Get into mall exhibition promotion and capture the millions of shoppers that visit it.

For inquiries call us at 640-1280 / 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

Learn to take advantage of the Green Economy!

Promote and network with the Rotarians!

Join the Saving Planet Earth Conference and Exhibition and Oratorical Contest, March 7, 2009, Insular Life Auditorium, Makati City.

For Booking inquiries call tel # 640-1280 / 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com

Staging an exhibition is difficult. All the tons of details that are very essential and critical to the success of the events need to be attended. But at the end of it all, the most important details are the visitors that gave time, attention, effort and, possibly, business transactions to the exhibitors of the event.

So for all those that attended and visited the last two events of EXLNK thank you very much.Hope to see you again in our next events.

I know you are all contented in this virtual world promoting your business. Yes, profitable! But how about increasing that profit. How about increasing your customer base and knowing them face-to-face and personally creating a bond that has the potential to last and provide you a stream of income.

If the line of thinking above is the same one in your head right now, just give us a buzz and we will give your investment a valuable exhibition space and event this December.

One of the best ways to fight recession is to know where to use and place your money. Also, how to control your costs, one of which is the tax you turn-over to the government.

All of these questions will be answered by Mr. Emelino Maestro a professional speaker and tax accounting consultant on Dec. 11, at SM Megatrade Hall, SM Megamall.

Don't fail to attend this enlightening seminar!

Dog lovers are invited to watch the Dog Obedience Show and Competition in the Mega Balikbayan Expo and Business Congress, December 10-14,2008, Megatrade, SM Megamall. The show is on Dec. 14, Sunday.

The event is organized by the Genesis K9 and the National Terrier Pitbull Club.

Micro-entrepreneurs is a breed that needed the most the help of government and other private agencies.

These special breed of entrepreneurs are in the starting phase of entrepreneurship where the mortality rate is the highest.

Having said that, micro entrepreneurs must know how to survive his/her business.

Learn more of the survival strategies for Micro Enterpreneurs to make it to the next level. Visit Asian Business Expo, November 28-30, 2008, SMX Convention Center.

E-jeep is the future of a green friendly vehicle. The good news is we have it in the Philippines and it was given a license already by the Land Transportation Office.

If you want to see the future of vehicles, visit Asian Business Expo, November 28-30, SMX Convention Center.

Smoke Free, Gas Free and Noise Free - The Future is here.

Battle Field Live a war game using laser guided guns that emits electronic signals in a contraption attached to one of the players body if you are hit is one of the latest CORPORATE TEAMBUILDING TECHNOLOGY to hit the country.

The ancient Sun Tsu, author of the famous Art of War said in his edicts that a great team skilled, trained and unified are one of the ingredients in being victorious in battle.

Corporation is like a country going into war with another corporation. See how tough your corporate team is or better yet have fun and see how your team fares when pitted with another team.

Know all the answer to these questions when you visit Asian Business Expo and try the Battle Field Live on-site, November 28-30, 2008.

Recession is a war situation where only the toughest team survive. Emerge victorious in 2009. Learn about this latest teambuilding technology.ASAP. And that's an order SOLDIER!

The youth is the future of the Philippines.

But more than youthfullness, Young Entrepreneurs are the future of this country.

There are a lot of young entrepreneur organizations in the country aimed at supporting the youth to break into the business.

One of these organization is the JUNIOR ACHIEVEMENT PHILIPPINES INC. (JAPI)

JAPI in partnership with EXLINK Corps. ENTREPNATION - a program design to lend a helping hand to young entrepreneurs by exposing them in tradeshows and exhibition will be showcasing 46 mini-companies, all run by different young entrepreneurs coming from different Metro Manila universities.

See and support their entrepreneurial goals!

Visit them at the Asian Business Expo, November 28-30, 2008, SMX Convention Center, Mall of Asia.

Blogging is here to stay.

A growing industry that anyone with the knack for writing something that interest a segment of the population can venture into and EARN SOME MONEY AND MAKE IT A LIVING.

FRAGMENTED media consumers are the reason why these kind of medium is growing and creating buzz.

Learn more about BLOGGING and how make the most out of it and make MONEY out of it.

Visit Asian Business Expo, November 28-30,2008 at the SMX Convention Center.

The event is organized by Azrael Colladilla, one of the top bloggers in the country, and EX-LINK Management Marketing Services Corp.

Robotics is the future!

Watch and learn about it at the first Asian Business Expo, November 28-308, SMX Convention Center.

Ms. Mylene Abiva, President of Felta Multi Media will talk about this growing inndustry and the future impact of it in the Philippines.

Plus live robotics demo by the Robotics team that won in the international competition.

So everybody visit the event and TRANSFORM!

I cannot help but blink my eyes several times and ask myself if I am having a brain freeze. Why? I just saw Dr. Jose Rizal walking in the flesh. You be the judge but for me, if he was alive he will exactly look like this man from Nepal.

I was sitting in the lobby of the hotel, resting after a very heady topic in a conference I attended, when into my right appeared Mr. Joey Concepcion Sr.

Seeing the once in a lifetime opportunity, I did not waste any time but ask him if I could have a picture with him beside me which he happily agreed.

For me, that is one moment of truth. JOECON to me as he is popularly known is one of the nationalist icon who is always on the forefront of national issues, leading the people's right be it for Democracy or against oil price increase.

To have a picture with him is an honor. To see the picture and interpret the meaning behind the man is inspirational.

My picture with him will always remind me that the Philippines is my country and I must do in any way positive things to help it achieve progress for the good of the many.

Thank you sir. Thank you JOECON!

The last week of October until the holiday season is bazaar time in the country. Its mind boggling considering the fact that we have malls, ukay-ukay stores, and our regular local markets that offer the same things in the bazaars.

Its a Filipino Thing, i suppose. The haggling is one of its best feature and, of course, the thrill of finding something that cannot be found from other commercial establishments and the fact that you can get it cheap!

I don't want to sound Scrooge but retailers are predicting a lukewarm reception of the buyers and shoppers because of what's happening abroad.

But here's the thing, I have this friend who was working at Singapore and just took a one week respite last week in the Philippines. He was surprised that the malls are full and many are buying.

I guess only in the Philippines is the answer for this positive comment.

So my take, we will have a happy season despite the fact..

Bazaars will still be a profitable venture for those who have already have one.

But caveat to those who are planning to put up one today. It may not be wise.

Despite the backdraft of worldwide financial meltdown in U.S. and Europe, FILNEGOSYO EXPO successfully opened last October 14, 2008 at Megatrade, SM Megamall.

The six day event features 30 free seminars, 120 business opportunities, 4 associations and a lot of networking among entrepreneurs and would be entrepreneurs.

FIL-NEGOSYO EXPO is the only tradeshow and exhibition for entrepreneurship and SMEs in the country that runs for 16 days.

It aims to promote entrepreneurship and SMEs in the country and contribute to the economic progress of our society.

The event ends today,October 19, 2008.

Obviously media as medium of promotion and awareness is very fragmented. In our country, internet and web 2.0 such as this one is gobbling the numbers of the traditional media. Eventhough, I am a user of this medium, still the best media medium must guarantee an experiential moment.

The best medium i could think of that has the character to provide a stimulating affair with the human senses is EVENTS in any form. Most especially, COMPELLING EVENTS.

If I cannot convince you because of my limited knowledge of the major changes and cases that support this theory. I recommend you the book of Max Lenderman's Experience the Message.

Hopefully, after reading the book or browsing the book you may consider adding events as part of your campaign. For the independent entrepreneurs, bazaars and tradeshows are the way to start infusing events in your marketing activities.

One of the perks in being part of the event industry is that you get to meet accidentally your heroes.

It happened just this Saturday when I was managing one of the events that we had. I stumble into one of the visitors of the event. Its not other than one of our Philippine Business Icon and Tycoon, Mr, Henry Sy.

Of course, being a boy scout I ask one of my colleague to take pics of me and my idol.

Being beside Mr. Sy is an honor and I thank the heaven for allowing me to have a memory, even for a brief moment, of him personally.

Sarap talaga ng feeling.

Yes oh yes the 29th Manila Book Fair is just around the corner. Time to whet our book appetites and search for the sale of the century of our reading lives.

The event happens September 12-16 at SMX Convention Center. Don't dare miss it.

Organized by Primetrade Asia, Inc., this hardworking organizer deserves a big round of applause for continuing to make the book fair bigger and better every year.

All said, Sugod mga Kabook-so!

Competition in our present landscape is fierce. Moreso, when the economic condition is very volatile.

But look what have we, all member organizers and other members of PACEOS staged something impossible possible. We made an event through a collaborative effort. A successful event squeezed in between the busy schedules of everybody.

The Philippine MICE Forum held in Sofitel last month is a great starting point of the potential capabilities of what a synergy of all MICE stakeholders can create and contribute to the country.

Already there is a talk of a Cebu leg for the successful event. EXLINK is excited to being part of making the leg a success for one thing, it is because it will benefit the country and the players of the industry professionalize more.

Again, kudos to all the hardworking people of PACEOS, HSMA, PCVC and DOT.

Al Ries will be here for the second time around to share important Marketing Knowledge that will create impact on your current business.

Al Ries is the famous author of Focus, 22 Immutable Laws of Marketing and Co-author of Positioning: The Battle of the Mind.

Slated this October 1 at Dusit Thani Hotel Makati.

Interested parties who would like to join as exhibitors may call tel # 643-3887 and look for Aireen.

Join the festivities and target the number one nurse in the world as the Philippine Nurses Association holds their first exhibit in October that coincides with the Nursing Month.

Interested parties please call tel# 643-3887. You may look for Aireen.

Capture the 7,000 teacher attendees at Diwa's a Tribute to A Teacher, an annual event of the company that honors our second mothers.

The event is slated September 27, 2008 at SMX Convention Center Mall of Asia.

Interested exhibitors may contact tel # 643-3887 and look for Aireen.

The prestigious Agora Conference of the Philippine Marketing Association is now accepting exhibitors. Limited slots only. Those who are interested please call tel# 643-3887 or visit www.exlinkevents.com.

You may join be getting a booth, being part of the souvenir program, and sponsorship.

Agora Conference is slated October 20 at Hotel Intercontinental Makati.

Feel the cool breeze of the mountain winds in Lipa near the foot of the famous Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club.

What's more is earn and promote your product and services to the high end market.

The event takes this coming October 11-12 at the new pavillion of Mt. Malarayat Golf and Country Club.

Interested parties please call Tel # 643-3887.

EXLINK is an organization that has among its core values:" Family Spirit of Fun and Working Together". We are a business family and we are serious about this aspect in a manner that is light.

One of the ways where we exhibit this core value is that for every successful event WE CELEBRATE WITH A BANG - We do R and R. Try to imagine that we have five annual events every year plus the summer holiday and the Christmas Season. We do R and R six times in a year by going out of town and most of the time, go swimming!

I don't know what is about the water but majority of the EXLINK member is crazy about swimming.

Sharing you some of the pics! Have fun because we did have a great fun just last July 26 and 27.

EXLINK in its vision to help in developing the marketing and events industry recently sponsored 15 deserving and overachieving marketing students from two universities in Metro Manila.

The three schools that benefited are Rizal Technological University - Pasig and Pamantasan ng Lungsod ng Maynila.

This is just a start of EXLINK's advocacy to support students who have a bright future in the marketing and events industry of our country.

This year's STRATMARK was a blast! This year's theme is YOUTHENICS: Marketing for the Youth! It's our time to shine.

Five speakers all experts in marketing and belonging to the creative agencies discussed the different attack on how to market to the youth.

For me, the event is more than a marketing event. It is for me an event that will hone future marketers and leaders of this country. It is a national event that gives color and excitement to learning. It is a concert where the stars are powerful speakers in the marketing industry.

Bam...boom...kabaam....looking forward to more explosions next year.

Last August 1, the last day of the 17th Metro Manila Business Conference, held at SOFITEL, has a variety of topics that were presented to the different city business chambers attendees. All are worth remembering. But as always what caught my heart and mind is the statement : "Shape Your Environment".

Businessmen and entrepreneurs most of the times must SHAPE THEIR ENVIRONMENT. Almost always the DANGERS are BIGGER or the same size as the OPPORTUNITIES that accompany it. Therefore a mastery of the environment or the GUTS of shaping the environment is one of the requirements for a businessman or entrepreneur to succeed.

Shape Your Environment! The legend of the vituperian male continues!

I recently attended a gathering and one of the speakers is Gardenia's President Mr. Simplicio Umali ( I hope I got the name right).

He was talking about the story of Gardenia how they, at first, found it difficult to convince the market that Gardenia is synonymous to a delicious bread. For one, at first, they are always identified to a motel in Sta. Mesa and/or a landscape company in Metro Manila.

But you cannot put a good product down. So after a few months or a year, the public (including me) begin to take notice of Gardenia, a delicious bread, which if my hearing is correct, has a gross sale of 1.2 Billion a year !

Another brand story that is lovable and worth emulating!

For those who would love to hear the famous author of books like POSITIONING AND FOCUS, he will be here again in Manila this coming October 1. Yes! Al Ries will be here to share another cutting edge marketing knowledge that we all can use in our companies, products and services.

Call Salt and Light for more information!

By the way, the picture here is not the official poster of the event. Thanks!

Events make tourism in our country robust. Events that creates B2B opportunities makes the robustness longterm and with deep economic impact.

Learn the MICE Industry attend this summit!