The 1st Cagayan de Oro Construction Show 2009 (CagayanCon ’09) was held last January 16, 17 and 18, 2009 at the Rotunda, Lim Ket Kai Mall, Cagayan de Oro City, Mindanao, Philippines. The event aims to pool together stakeholders (from construction businessmen to manufacturers to suppliers to end consumers) in the construction industry. I must admit, I didn’t hear about the event up until I was actually inside Limketkai Mall last Sunday, January 18, the last day of the exhibit. I was in town (CDO) for the day and I noticed the many booths at the Rotunda area of the said famous Cagayan de Oro mall. I was only able to check out 2-3 booths that day, unfortunately, so I vowed to check the event website and hopefully write about it here in Mindanaoan.
Lo and behold, I found a couple of highly INNEResting stuff over at the CagayanCon ’09 website. Plus it seems the event organizer, Jatico Events, even encountered a bout of “hardship” (their own word) due to “unprofessional individuals.” (quoted from Cagayan de Oro City Councilor Ian Acenas’ statement which appears in the website) Hmm. While that statement did stir my curiosity, I wonder if posting it for everyone to see was the right thing to do. As a practising publicist, in my opinion, that “unprofessional individuals” part should have just been omitted. No need to tell the whole world things they don’t need to know. No need to tell the whole world that you got effed by some idiots, ‘ika nga. The website already banners huge congratulatory messages (organizers say the event was a success) – stick with that image. Or perhaps write a statement like – “Despite worries over weather and a few stumbling blocks, the 1st CagayanCon ’09 was a success – thanks to all the exhibitors that extended their trust and confidence to us!” – or something to that effect. It’ll let the world know that, yes, there may have been road blocks but the event was still a success. Besides, it’s the FIRST CagayanCon – you reserve the right to get effed the first time around but you also reserve the right to do better next time 🙂 Just two cents from a public relations consultant.
Another thing that I found interesting was this section found on the website (taken verbatim):
WHY WE DON’T RECOMMEND EXHIBITS INSIDE THE ATRIUM
Based on recently concluded expos and fairs at LKKS Mall, Cagayan de Oro City
1. Mindanaoan particularly Cagayanons does not have the attitude to go inside close spaces like the LKKS ATRIUM
2. Company exhibitor’s feedback after the event that if not 0 (zero), small sales is experienced during the exhibit due to reason number 1
3. Accessibility is BAD. Small Door Opening from the main ROTUNDA where people gather and pass by.
4. We have experienced first hand the result of an ATRIUM Exhibit. Never again! Trust us we’ve been there and done that because we join and make events in Mindanao.
5. We want to harness maximum exposure from walk in clients, that is why there is an accessible expo location at the ROTUNDA.
thus, why bother joining an atrium expo when you can have a rotunda expo with maximum exposure results!, WE GUARANTEE YOU OR YOUR MONEY BACK IF THERE IS NO SALES ON YOUR BOOTH.
Okay, for one, and I’m NOT saying I speak and write perfect English, but aren’t there several glaring grammatical errors in those sentences? Surely for an event that aims to entice large companies all over Mindanao, the organizers could have tapped a good copywriter for their website?
Secondly, was it really necessary to post these on the website? The organizers or the webmaster or whoever’s in charge of the CagayanCon ’09 website should have just taken this up with the exhibitors offline or they could have just shared these “infos” via a formal letter. Why include these in a website that’s publicly accessible? I also found it odd that the organizers insinuated, nay, declared that exhibits held in the Limketkai Atrium only produce bad results. And to think Lim Ket Kai Center is a sponsor! WWWHHHAAATTT??? Does the LKK management even know about this?
Thirdly, and this is based on my years of experience as an events organizer and marketer – if an event is marketed well or packaged well – people will come, no matter how far the venue is and no matter where it’s held. Before you even think of organizing an event, you must see if there’s an absolute need or requirement that needs to be addressed. Then think of the ways on how you can address that need. Tap all available resources. Maximize exchange deals. In the case of the CagayanCon 2009 exhibit, who comprises your target market? Do you just want to provide a platform for companies to exhibit their wares or do you also want to attract prospective buyers – perhaps young couples who want to build their dream houses this year or a real estate developer who’s keen on building a hotel tower. What requirement do you need to address? What can you offer your exhibitors and your audience? What’s in CagayanCon 2009 that makes it an event that people must, must, MUST go to?
Also, was it just me or were there just few marketing measures? I understand that there was an ad placed on a tabloid style classifieds paper and that there are radio ads and cable TV channel ticklers but where are the national, regional and local newspapers? Was there a press conference or a media briefing at the very least? Was there exposure on TV?
I still have a lot of thoughts but these are just what I want to share for now. I still need to catch President-elect Barack Obama’s inaugural speech 😛
Before I end this post, though, let me just say that – still, the team behind the CagayanCon 2009 website as well as the team behind the Cagayan Construction Show 2009 still deserve to be commended.
The mere fact that the Jatico Events team was able to pull through a major event such as the CagayanCon 2009 is still quite a feat and I do congratulate them for a job well done. There may have been problems this year but I’m sure everything will be way better next time! 🙂 Here’s hoping, too, that the website for next year’s confab will be better written.
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Mindanaoan is a multi-awarded blogger, content creator, seasoned social media strategist and publicist with undeniably successful track record. 2012 International Visitor Leadership Program (for global leaders) alumnus and O visa grantee (for people with extraordinary skills and who have risen to the top of their field). Avid traveler and a proud relief operations volunteer. Regular resource person for social media, blogging and content creation. Available for work and travel – [email protected]
i dont really know Jatico events, i just saw their TV ads (Parasat) and radio ads, just heared some rumors from my fellow businessmen about this big event
i think i know those unprofessionals… UAP (united architects of the philippines – cdo) . i’ve heared that they tend to discourage businessman not to join the so called cagayan con and they did everythng just to put down the exhibit, quite bad? i don’t know with them and i dont care. Just want to write here some stuff that might open the minds of Cagay anons, ok, ok! you want names of those unprofessional architects ?
yes you do! they said that it was Arkt. Heinrich Ty, Arkt. Gemma Semana, Arkt. RIchard Tan.
Nkadungog sad ko nga dugay daw na mubayad ug utang kini na mga architects. fyi lang sa mga fellow negosyante sa cdo basin maka utang ni sila sa inyo. Pero kng mang utang ni sila sa akong tindahan, pautangun nako gihapun, let’s see kng tinuod ang rumor na dugay au ni sila mangbyad ug utang. iN FAIRNESS SOME ARCHITECTS ARE GOOD PAYER. chika!
they have a copy cat DECONEX construction exhibit the same as cagayan const? connect what? what the hell does that mean? asa ila website?
to cagayan construction, congrats na rin for your successful event! do good sa next show ninyo
I THOUGHT PROFESSIONALS NING MGA ARCHITECTS NATO DIRI SA CAGAYAN. SAD NEWS 🙁
there is really a “controversy” because this jatico guy failed to get the support of the united architects of the philippines cagayan de oro chapter. we held our own design and construction exhibitlast feb 20-22. it would have been good if you were able to visit the exhibit and make a comparison. regarding professionalism? well, i dont have to argue about it. you have seen his website. buti na lang, he already removed those “interesting” but embarassing statements.
@professional – thanks for your comment and for visiting Mindanaoan.com! I’m putting your other comment on hold for now while I get feedback from those people whose names you mentioned, okay?
@sir zaldo elizaga – thank you for your comment and for sharing your thoughts. It’s unfortunate that I wasn’t able to cover that event. I would have loved to visit CDO and check that exhibit out.
Interestingly, I just checked the CagayanCon website and you’re right – they already erased those “controversial” statements 🙂 I do have screen captures of their previous website, though, so if anybody even wants to verify, I can happily send them the jpg files of the print screen captures.
Anyways, please don’t hesitate to contact me should you have other events in the future. Salamat!
please do send me a copy of that. thanks
by the way, that was a very good post. i completely agree with your observations and recommendations.
i am just a plain observer. it seems that zaldo elizaga is exaggerating again. i know Mr. Jatico did not ask any support from UAP, he just invited them for the use of their polycarbonate partitions for their exhibits, PIA ang iyang giduulan but unfortunately ang PIA naay issues sa manila so maybe next time na sila mag parter with Jatico Events. Please be fair, and besides ung deconex nyo “GILANGAW” and i bet your exhibitors next year if there is any won’t join again…. MITAGAM sila sa inyong promises. Please post this comment mindanaoan in fairness to everyone. thank you.
I agree with you deconex. Stick to the issue UAP CDO architects, I am one of your Exhibitor during DECONEX and you guys promised us that you would invite architects and contractors, YOUR GROUP is the only one present during DECONEX “gilangaw” is the right term for your exhibit. Im sorry to tell you that we will not join again UAP deconex. I missed cagayancon, and they say that it was very successful and all the exhibitors are very satisfied and in fact i asked one exhibitor if ok ung cagayancon, they made an instant 500K on the spot equipment sold during cagayancon!
Promises….. Architects ….
@deconex – I posted your comment, as requested. I’m interested to know what your observations were nganong nakasulti ka nga gilangaw ang event? I wasn’t able to attend/cover the DECONEX man gud. Looking forward sa imong additional infos. Salamat!
Modulator, friend ko ung ibang exhibitors, and i was there too during the exhibit. Tapos ung mga tao hindi pumapasok sa loob, nasa labas lang ng rotunda. Ang mga tao sa loob ung mga tagabantay lng ng mga booth at mga iilang architects (2-5). Ung maraming tao sa bukana ng atrium na may taong statue na kinulayan ng pintura na wala namang koneksyon sa construction expo! mag freak show nalang kaya sila o mag circus! Ung maraming tao at exposure is ung Honda Exhibit sa gitna. Ayan, UAP may isang exhibitor na kayo na galit si “stick to the MAIN ISSUE” , I guess he is very disappointed just reading sa comments nya. Zaldo Elizaga, it’s a shame for UAP that your exhibit is unsuccessful, failure, mess and very discouraging. Make it good next time if ever you have a next time!
taga cagayan akala ko ba this is the city of golden friendship? eh bakit mga tao dito nag aaway away. hindi ba nakakahiya. CagayanCOn and deConex i think was a big success… why dont you guys just stop this issue… help and support each other rather than setting a bad example to other organizations. hindi ba nakakahiya. i hope you guys can wake up.
In fairness, these are Mindanaoan’s personal views. Why are you blaming Mindanaoan sa iyang opinions nga iya man na nga opinions? Besides gi-commend pa man gani ang organizers sa event. Constructive man ang iyang views dinhi – unsay imong problema diay?
Opinions like these make others better and help others do better in their jobs. Wala may inawaya dinhi. Kung dili ka ka-accept ug criticism, then you’re not meant to be a professional. Ayaw na lang pag-business kung ana ka ka-onion skinned!
May I also add – sa tono ng pananalita mo, it seems you’re either from Jatico Events trying to pretend na “third party” or talagang you’re a bitter person who simply made the wrong move to invest in the wrong conference/exhibit.
Geez, grow up!
” Geez, grow up! ” is that a grown up comment? Para ata kang high school musical Arkt! Pangit pa naman ung mga architectural buildings na ginawa mo ung in front ng Lourdes College. Was that your forte? FYI, Im from cdo, now im living in Manila coz i cant sikmura my fellow architects, mga kapayasun.
ok sorry…
i would like to give comment to what elizaga has said regarding CagayanCon.Elizaga was saying that Jatico failed to get the support of UAP. if this is true, i would like to request elizaga to email to you and have it posted here a written request duly signed by jatico. siguro naman hindi pipitsugin ang UAP na if somebody wud ask support from the group itatawag lang. there should be a formal letter for that and thats thier file copy. paki present po mr. elizaga. ngayon if mr. elizaga failed to post a copy of the said letter. in a way he accept that he is a BIG LIAR. please post this mindanaoan. thank you