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.