Industry expo on beauty, health, wellness fuels collaboration for ASEAN integration

MANILA, Philippines - As the Association of South East Asian Nations (ASEAN) prepares for full integration by 2015 under a single ASEAN Economic Community (AEC), which is one of the main objectives of the region’s economic integration, a key challenge is to find balance with regard to coherence and cooperation among member-countries.

However, the emergence of many relevant industry expos and conferences, particularly in the beauty, health and wellness sectors, is seen as the key ingredient in providing that balance and more importantly, make the planned integration a seamless and thorough activity.

This collaborative economic environment among nations of varying race and cultures will be evident in a one-of-a-kind event called “International Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo,” which will be held on Sept. 26-28 at the SMX Convention Center in Pasay City.

For one, it will be a great platform for local players to finally hit the international expo scene where they can showcase and highlight their readiness to be globally competitive, with products and services ready to appeal to the global market — or at least on the ASEAN level, initially.

On the other hand, the expo can provide the perfect opportunity for international companies to gain a foothold in the local market by partnering with Philippine firms they can rely on as part of their expansion efforts and growth of their business in the country.

This is good news for the local economy, for these possible economic linkages between local and international firms spell good things for players in the beauty, health and wellness industry and also the overall medical tourism in the country.

The “International Beauty, Health and Wellness Expo,” organized by Ex-Link Management and Marketing Services Corp., is expected to attract more than 10,000 buyers and trade visitors from here and abroad, and participated in by more than 200 of the country’s established and up-and-coming movers and shakers in the health and beauty, fitness and style, and wellness and relaxation circles.

It will be the perfect avenue for sponsors and participants to meet, converge, exchange ideas and knowledge, establish market linkages, collaborate and agree on mutually beneficial transactions with the hope of growing the industry further and make it one of the strongest business sectors in the region.

“A key objective of the single ASEAN community, under the Initiative for ASEAN Integration or IAI, is to narrow the development divide between countries in the region and enhance ASEAN’s competitiveness as a region. Through this expo, we envision the participants working together to help find ways of strengthening areas of collaboration to grow their respective businesses and at the same time, tap other economic potentials that will help the health, beauty and wellness industries flourish even more in this century,” says Mitch Ballesteros, chief executive officer of Ex-Link Events.

Day One of the expo highlights the opening talk of Dr. Eric Tayag, assistant secretary of the Department of Health, with the “Go for Health program.” It will be followed by personality development seminars, fashion and styling sessions, discussion of fashion trends in the social media, an anniversary dance competition launch dubbed as “Healthway Medical Dance for Health… A healthy way to live,” featuring its corporate partners, and a fashion show from one of the country’s top fashion institutes.

Meanwhile, talks on health, beauty, skin care, alternative medicine, stress management, personal mastery seminars are set on the second day with a Zumba party.

On Day Three, learn about physical fitness techniques, martial arts and sports from some of the country’s renowned sports and fitness gurus.

Another highlight of the industry expo is the Spa Party and Asian Massage Show for qualified trade visitors and buyers, the Grand Salads Show at the event dining area, and the Grand Organic Show at the expo area. 

Trade visitors and buyers are invited to pre-register for qualification online via www.exlinkevents.com and www.beautyhealthwellnessexpo.com.ph to enjoy perks and privileges during the event.

“It’s about time that we broaden the marketability of the Philippines in the international scene through expos like this especially in the beauty, health and wellness industry. We have a comparative advantage in the health and wellness tourism industry among others because we have exceptional products and state-of-the-art and world-class facilities, caring and compassionate medical practitioners, our fluency in English and of course, competitive cost, making this industry one of the major sectors for economic growth, and that is what we want to highlight,” says Ballesteros.

For details, text 0920-9242532 or 0920-9814376, call 643-7760 or 643-3887 or e-mail at [email protected].