CICC A BOON FOR MOTORSHOW CEBU INTERNATIONAL

For the longest time, the absence of a huge venue for big shows was a big setback for Cebu.

Despite its impressive performance as an investment and tourism destination, Cebu's lack of facilities to host large-scale indoor and outdoor events left many show organizers no other recourse but to mount big projects only in Manila.

This was the case of the first-ever Motorshow Cebu International in 1989. Although considered quite impressive enough at that time, the show which supposedly originated in Cebu gradually left town and moved to Manila due to lack of ample exhibit space.

Fortunately after a long hiatus however, the Motorshow Cebu International finally returns to town this October 16 to 21, thanks to a bigger venue complete with modern facilities and amenities: the Cebu International Convention Center (CICC).

Originally built by the Cebu Provincial Government for the 12th Summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) last January, the CICC has become the perfect venue for large-scale events that has enhanced Cebu as a center for international trade, tourism and culture in Asia.

According to the show's organizers, the Motorshow International Inc., the three-storey US$10-million CICC is just the right place for an event as elaborate, complicated and space-consuming as the 8th Motorshow Cebu International.

Thus, Motorshow International Inc. says, they will take advantage of CICC's various indoor and outdoor spaces to accommodate the show's different highlights and special events.

For starters, the Corporate Display and Sponsor Pavillion will be at the Summit Hall 1 located at the main level of the CICC. The location is considered most appropriate for the exhibit that will showcase the latest models of cars and vehicles as well as new products, services and related technologies in the automotive and cycle industries.

CICC's Plenary Exhibition Hall at the second floor, on the other hand, will host the Accessories Section of the exhibit that will showcase automotive parts and accessories, auto gadgets, car care products, maintenance and service equipment, car air-conditioning, cycling gears, motorbikes/motorcycle parts, gadgets and gears, bikes and cycle care products as well as maintenance and service equipment, allied industries and services.

Moreover, the well-appointed VIP Parking Area located at the CICC's lower level will accommodate the Motorshow Display and Competition area. Here, competing vintage and classic cars as well as contemporary European and Japanese cars with body and engine modifications will be placed on display.

Finally, the CICC's spacious grounds will play host to other exciting motorshow highlights such as the well-loved Remote Control Races and the Cebu Grand Slalom. It will also serve as the start and finish lines of the action-packed Treasure Hunt and Adventure Hunt that will criss-cross its way through Cebu's scenic spots.

All said, Motorshow International Inc. promises to optimize the world-class facilities of the CICC into a staging arena truly befitting the country's dynamic transport industry, proving once more that what can be mounted in Manila and elsewhere in Asia can now be staged successfully -- and with extraordinary Cebuano flair -- in Cebu.