by Issa Rodriguez |
“They don’t go to your restaurant because they are hungry, they go there because they walk away with a feeling or a perception”. This statement of Amor Maclang, among many other noteworthy insights, was shared during the recently concluded DINE Philippines for SOCCSKSARGEN. Maclang, Communications and Business Development head of award winning GeiserMaclang Marketing Communications, is a brand strategist and architect, and a staunch Mindanao advocate. She gave the first talk which highlighted 5 Rules in Local Hospitality Branding, right after welcome remarks were given by the Department of Tourism’s Regional Director, Nelly Nita Dillera. RD Dillera stressed that food, and the dining experience is essential to the tourism value chain, and has called on key players in Region XII to apply what they learn in DINE Philippines seminar series.
Aside from Maclang, speakers included President of Courage Asia and Director of Terra First Bite, Adolfo Aran, Jr. who laid out the trends and best practices in the hospitality industry. Practical lessons and best practices in opening a food business were shared by proprietor of Good Burgers, Darah Consunji-Mateo. Serial digital marketer Homer Nievera of Negosentro.com and FoodFindsAsia.co explained the why it is important to place food businesses online and on mobile, and have his strategic ideas to boot. Wrapping up the learning session was applauded Executive Chef Myke “Tatung” Sarthou III, who advocated how local cuisine may aim to be world-class with the right approach in creativity and presentation.
The Department of Tourism, in recognition of DINE Philippines’ advocacy of enhancing the level of our country’s tourism, hospitality and culinary industries and of promoting Filipino competitiveness in food service standards in light of globalization, has given its endorsement to the seminar series. The event is also supported by NVIRO Paint, and media sponsors BusinessWorld, HerWord.com, F&B World, Interaksyon Lifestyle, ClickTheCity.com, Negosentro.com and FoodFindsAsia.com.
DINE Philippines is on its fourth year and is brought to key cities around the country. After DINE’s Davao and Zamboanga and SOCCSKSARGEN , the next stops of DINE Philippines 2014 will be in Cagayan De Oro, Pampanga, Legaspi, Iloilo, Samar, Leyte and Baguio.
