Washington Preview of A Tourism and Business “Explore Islands Philippines” Expo in NYC

WASHINGTON, D.C.- The US-Philippines Society and the Philippine Embassy hosted a March 15th preview of Explore Islands Philippines, an Expo at New York City’s iconic Grand Central Station, May 9-12, 2018. The exciting four-day event will introduce New Yorkers and visitors to new business and tourism opportunities in today’s Philippines. The Expo will showcase Philippine cultural, design and culinary trends, and much more.

Explore Islands Philippines will highlight key new sectors of the Philippine economy for investors, including infrastructure, manufacturing, real estate, logistics, information technology, biotech, business process management, agri-business, and medical tourism. The Expo is being organized by JS Productions Inc., with support from the Philippine Department of Tourism (DOT) and Tourism Promotions Board Philippines (TPB).

Ambassador Jose Manuel G. Romualdez (center) with “Explore Islands Philippines” Expo Organizing Committee during a courtesy call. Front row, l-r: Jerry Sibal, Ambassador Romualdez, Edwin Josue, Marilyn Abalos. Back row: US-PH Society Executive Director Hank Hendrickson, Karen Gamba and Carl Nelson. March 15, 2018, Embassy of the Republic of the Philippines in Washington DC.

“I am confident that the Expo will successfully present the Philippines as a premier tourism and investment destination, and New York certainly offers an unparalleled international stage to bring people together whether as prospective tourists or investors,” said Philippine Ambassador to the United States Jose Manuel G. Romualdez.

The preview presentation by the Expo organizing committee provided information on participation to a capacity audience from the media; diplomatic and business communities; and fashion, travel, and entertainment stakeholders. Lead producer Jerry Sibal promised that Explore Islands Philippines will be a world class event in New York City showcasing the best that the Philippines has to offer in trade, investments, and tourism.

“We appreciate the support of the Philippine Government, particularly the Department of Tourism and the Tourism Promotion Board. We look forward to working also with the various Philippine trade and investment agencies, as well as with the US-Philippines Society, on this worthy project. It is our goal to connect individuals, companies and investment groups in the U.S. with relevant public and private offices in the Philippines to help facilitate and support economic development in the country. We would also like to help bring American and Filipino American tourists to the Philippines,” Mr. Sibal said.

“The organizers were able to reach a diverse Washington area audience, generating interest and support for the Explore Islands Philippines business, tourism, and cultural Expo in New York City this May,” observed Hank Hendrickson, Executive Director of the US-Philippines Society, who moderated the preview event. The Society supports the Expo as a way to raise awareness of new opportunities and promote US-Philippine partnerships.

Explore Islands Philippines will take place on 9-12 May 2018 at the Vanderbilt Hall East of the Grand Central Terminal. More information is available on the website www.exploreislandsphilippines.com.

Jerry Sibal, JS Productions Founder and Lead Organizer of “Explore Islands Philippines”

Members of the audience engage the Expo organizing team during the Q’s & A’s session