CLARK HOLDS MICECON 2024

BY KEVIN GALANG

CLARK FREEPORT – Clark Development Corporation (CDC) president and CEO attorney Agnes VST Devanadera underscored the significant enhancements and preparations made by the state-owned firm to position Clark as a leading venue for MICECON 2024.

“Clark is first and foremost an investment destination, but after 30 years, it has transformed into something more,” said Devanadera.

“We have all the reasons for people to come over. We have vast spaces, so what did we do? First, we grouped the industries according to their business nature, and we sold the idea of MICE to people not involved in MICE or tourism,” Devanadera said during a press conference hosted by the Tourism Promotions Board (TPB).

Devanadera cited the support received from stakeholders and locators in preparing for MICECON 2024, underscoring Clark’s potential as a MICE hub.  

“We were so pleasantly surprised; everybody wanted to be part of this MICECON endeavor,” she added. 

 “We want this (Clark) to be a happy place,” integrating a ‘happiness index’ into their planning to create a vibrant and welcoming environment in this Freeport,  she said.

To support the vision, Clark has invested in enhancing its open spaces and parks, making them freely accessible to the public. Additionally, Clark is bolstering its hospitality infrastructure with three new hotels—Hilton, Wyndham, and The Henry Hotel—joining the existing 4,100 rooms to meet the rising demand for accommodations.

With these enhancements, the state-owned firm is positioning Clark as a premier global destination for MICE events, offering world-class facilities and a welcoming atmosphere for both business and leisure.