MANILA PHILIPPINES – The Internet and Mobile Marketing Association of the Philippines (IMMAP) took over The Astbury in Poblacion when they gathered for a General Members Meetup (GMM). The initial GMM for 2023, the event also marked IMMAP’s first in-person event in three years.
The GMM kicked off with opening remarks from outgoing President Digs Dimagiba, who thanked IMMAP’s multiple committees for their dedication and hard work throughout the pandemic, while sharing his optimism that the incoming officers and members would build on the landmark programs that he and his team had begun.
Digs Dimagiba proceeded to introduce the evening’s first speaker and Guest of Honor, the Department of Trade and Industry’s Honorable Assistant Secretary Jean Pacheco. ASEC Pacheco commended IMMAP for its efforts in driving local innovation, before presenting slides on the national government’s upcoming initiatives to support digital adoption in the country, with special attention on the area of ecommerce and consumer protection.
Following her talk, ASEC Pacheco yielded the floor to her fellow Guest of Honor, Department of Information and Communications Technology Secretary Ivan John E. Uy. Delivering a talk on “The Future of Communications and Technology in the Philippines,” he discussed how he had – from the very beginning of his career – continuously pushed for innovation and digital transformation in the government, from his time in the judicial branch, to his current post as DICT chief.
Next, the incoming officers and Board of Trustees were introduced, led by Qairos’ Denise Haak as President, Ward Howell International’s Gary Abello and David & Golyat’s Miko David as Vice Presidents for Internal and External Affairs, respectively, Ogilvy Philippines’ Manny Gonzales as Corporate Secretary, and Unilab, Inc.’s Joanna Mojica as Treasurer. Secretary Uy led in their oathtaking.
For her first official act, Denise unveiled the organization’s direction for the forthcoming year, citing the limitations inherent in previous projections, given the speed at which technology evolves. For her part, Denise declared that her administration was working towards a “moon shot” of reshaping IMMAP into the largest assembly of brands and companies dedicated to digital transformation. Under the moon shot, all aspects of IMMAP – including the name – would be evaluated and, if necessary, evolved, to achieve the organization’s new mission, “To enable Digital Transformation excellence.”
Of course, Denise stressed that all of this would only be possible if IMMAP lived up to its charter as a volunteer-driven org. From the number of attendees to the overall enthusiasm that greeted each committee head’s subsequent call for volunteers, it was clear the Forward Tinkerers were beginning 2023 refreshed, recharged, and ready to take on the challenges of the year ahead.
The IMMAP General Member Meetup (GMM) is an exclusive privilege open to all IMMAP member companies only. Click here for more information on IMMAP and how to be a member.
