AD Foundation hosts forum on risk reduction for events

The Advertising Foundation of the Philippines (Ad Foundation), in partnership with the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas (KBP) and Unilever Philippines, Inc. hosted top executives from event management organizers composed of clients, service providers, media agencies, government and other stakeholders gathered during an exclusive two-day seminar on mitigating natural hazards and disasters at the Asian Institute of Management in Makati City last April 24-25.

Jun Nicdao, Advertising Foundation Chairman of the Board and Chairman of KBP, emphasized that the seminar provided a “rare opportunity to imbibe the accumulated wisdom from past experiences of experts from both government and private sector on risk management and mitigation.”

Dubbed "Eventwise," it was the inaugural run of a long-term vision to develop a set of performance standards for events organizing spearheaded by the Ad Foundation through its Educational Development and Special Projects Program Committees directed to support industry growth and self-regulation.

'EVENTWISE' TOASTS TO SUCCESS - From Left: EventWise Program Director Alvin Trono, Unilever Marketing Director Neil Trinidad, Advertising Foundation of the Philippines Executive Director Linda Gamboa, Unilever Vice President and Ad Foundation Board Member Ed Sunico, Ad Foundation founding Chairman Louie Morales, Ad Foundation Board Member and Pioneer Insurance Marketing Vice President Len Pozon, Ad Foundation and KBP Chairman Jun Nicdao and EventWise Co-Chairman and Primax President Lito Yabut toast the participants on the successful launch and culmination of the first EventWise Risk Reduction Workshop that aims to promote stronger safety standards in the Events and Marketing Communications Industry. EventWise was a joint effort of the Ad Foundation, Unilever Philippines Inc. and the Kapisanan ng mga Brodkaster ng Pilipinas.

The Executive Seminar on Risk Reduction and Crisis Management for Events brought together experts from select government agencies, US Federal Bureau of Investigation and private sector organizations on risk reduction and crisis management.

It was a melting pot for dynamic interactions through technical knowledge and experiential sharing of lessons learned from local to global perspectives.

Metro Manila Development Authority Chairman Thomas M. Orbos discussed on managing natural and man-made hazards in high population events.

Jaime Godinez of Soundcheck and Mart Miranda of Video Sonic sign their commitment on the creation of a Manual of Performance Standards for the Events & Marketing Communication.

Orbos challenged events organizers to “go beyond their terms of reference, to make sure that events not only run smoothly, but have identified and managed risks."

Senior Superintendent Wilberto Ang Kwan Tiu, Regional Director of the Bureau of Fire Protection of the National Capital Region, provided pointers on fire as a hazard to some special events.

Director Derrick Carreon of the Philippine Drug Enforcement Agency provided specific recommendations on managing the proliferation of drugs and controlled substance found on concerts, parties, exhibits and other special events.

Unilever Marketing Director Neil Trinidad exchanges pleasantries with SM SuperMalls President Annie Garcia as Unilever Vice President Ed Sunico looks on during the successful EventWise Executive Workshop on Risk Reduction at the Asian Institute of Management.

Mariana Vargas from the Oscar Lopez Center Research Foundation discussed about various disaster and risks raised of natural calamity.

Senior Supt. Felipe Managgun of the Philippine National Police gave an insight on criminality and other activities that may effect events implementation and police response for enhanced security for the events through effective coordination.

The Philippine Red Cross also provided methods to conduct emergency response in events and Rico Santiago of Okada on public-private sector partnership.

On the second day of the seminar, topics discussed were "Events and Terrorism" by FBI-Legal Attache, Lamont Siller of the US Embassy; "Importance of Insurance Coverage on Events" by Hong Kong-based Circles Asia-Pacific Group Director, Tommy Elliot; "Secured and Safer Event Environment" by the Control Risks Group, Singapore-based Marjohn Cruz; "Planning Tools, Strategies and Security Coordination" by Mart Miranda of Video Sonic, and Jaime Godinez of Soundcheck; "Crisis Public Relations" by Luis Morales, PRSP Past President, Ramon Osorio and Singapore-based Darragh Ooi of the Brunswick Group, and "Legal Strategies on Crisis Management" by Atty. Jesse Hermogenes Andres.