I still can’t believe that TBEX has finally come to the Philippines! TBEX–or Travel Blogger Exchange–is the largest gathering of Travel Bloggers in the world.
Ever since I attended TBEX in Athens in 2014, I’ve envisioned bringing the conference to the country. And with the help of Rick of TBEX, the Department of Tourism, and the Tourism Promotions Board, the historic TBEX Asia Philippines is happening this weekend, October 15-16, 2016!
We have the world’s top travel bloggers and 400+ other inspiring travel bloggers from North America, Europe, and Asia coming together to learn, network, and party here in Manila.
The Opening VIP Speakers Party was held at Samba, the first authentic Peruvian restaurant in Manila at Shangri-La, The Fort.
Here’s a photo essay of that event…
Samba is located at the 8/F Pool Roofdeck of Shangri-La at the Fort. The TBEX VIP Speakers Party is the first ever event held in this beautiful venue.
The awesome Rick Calvert, Founder of TBEX; Patricia Schultz, Author of the 1,000 Places to See Before You Die; and Jason Falls, a leading practitioner of social media conversational analysis and research.
The live Ceviche station welcomed all the speakers, sponsors, VIP guests, and the Travel Massive Manila team.
Jean Cheney of Traveling Honey Bird, Travel Massive Chapter leader in Melbourne; Bret Love & Mary Gabbett of Mary of Green Global Travel; Travel Blogging Pioneer Tim Teffel; and Opening Keynote Speaker Evo Terra, Digital Strategist and famous podcaster.
Chef Carlo Huerta Echegaray is the Peruvian brains behind the delicious food at Samba (opening October 21, 2016).
Samba’s signature Arroz Mariscos, a Peruvian seafood rice with calamari, octopus, shrimps, and scallops, in white wine and paprika creole seasoning.
It’s like a soupy, creamy paella but better. You eat it right off the paellera!
Cailin O’Neil of Travel Yourself Video Blog, and Rupert Kaufmann + Benjamin Concepcion of Dream Travel on Points.
My favorite is the eat-all-you-can Live Anti-cucho Station!
Love the beef, chicken, and shrimp anti-cucho with chimichurri!
(Photo by Ian Cumming)
Meet the Travel Massive Global Team: Ian Cumming, Founder of Travel Massive, Anton Diaz, Manila Chapter Leader, Kei Shibata, Tokyo Travel Massive, Edwina Dendler, Barcelona Chapter Leader, and Jean Cheney, Melbourne Chapter Leader.
Samba has a clubhouse feel with Peruvian accents and a covered al fresco area, perfect for networking parties without worrying about the rain.
Meet our partners in promoting the Philippines, Ivan Henares of Ivan About Town and Ivan Man Dy of Old Manila Walks.
The famous lechon and puso rice was flown directly from Cebu to welcome the TBEX Speakers and VIP guests!
Thank you to Don Papa Rum for getting the party started with awesome rum cocktails and showcasing the best of Philippine rum.
The party was capped with the best of Philippine desserts and my favorite Halo-Halo, Brazo de Mercedes, and Puto + Kutsinta.
Welcome to Manila to the best Travel Bloggers in the World…from Travel Massive Manila and Team Our Awesome Planet!
Live an Awesome Life,
Founder, www.OurAwesomePlanet.com
Disclosure: Thank you to Shangri-La at the Fort for hosting the TBEX Speaker’s Party. I wrote this article with my biases, opinions, and insights.
P.S. You can still register and join TBEX Asia Manila this weekend. PM me for the special VIP code.