Students from four higher education institutions gathered at Cabin Hall of WCC ATC Binalonan on April 30, 2025, for the Sustainable and Innovative Tourism Events Convention (SITECON) 2025, a tourism convention focused on entrepreneurship, events management, and emerging opportunities in the industry.
Held under the theme “Sustaining Success: Innovating Entrepreneurship and Events Management for the Future of Tourism,” the convention brought together delegates from the University of Luzon, Philippine College of Science and Technology, Universidad de Dagupan, and WCC ATC Binalonan.
Through its sessions, SITECON 2025 invited participants to examine how changing markets, emerging technologies, and new business opportunities are influencing tourism and events management. Ms. Mikaela G. Padilla, entrepreneur and international advocate for Sustainable Tourism and Asian Food Youth Network in Japan and Italy, and the owner of Cafe Gaia Manaoag, shared insights on entrepreneurship and sustainable tourism in the context of the convention’s theme. Meanwhile, Mr. Milton M. Salinas, Event Coordinator in Mindworks Events Production, Styling and Design and Model Management, led the discussion on innovation and events management for the future of tourism. The convention also gave students from different institutions a venue to exchange perspectives and expand their understanding of the industry.The event was organized under the guidance of SITE Adviser Ms. Sushmita Sen-Chan Montano, with support from the College of Tourism faculty, sponsors, SITE Executive Committee, and organization members.
SITECON 2025 supported SDG 4: Quality Education by providing an industry-relevant learning experience and SDG 8: Decent Work and Economic Growth by encouraging entrepreneurial thinking among future tourism professionals. It also reflected SDG 17: Partnerships for the Goals through the participation of multiple academic institutions.
