Davao City, Oct 23 – Today marked the opening of the 10th Davao Trade Expo as organized by the Davao City Chamber of Commerce. The event, nicknamed DATE 2008 is held at the Davao Convention Center and will run from the 23rd to the 25th of October.

The theme for this year’s event is “Davao: Land of Great Opportunities and Endless Possibilities”. DATE 2008 features exhibitors showing off the new products, the latest technologies and the most up to date services. DATE 2008 will also feature performances meant to highlight the economic culture of Davao, its surrounding regions as well as that of Indonesia. The Trade Expo will also present several seminars and trainings.

DATE 2008 was opened with the help of the Davao City Chamber of Commerce officials together with Davao vice Mayor Sara Duterte and several other distinguished guests. The ribbon cutting and opening ceremony was made more lively through the performance of the Madayaw Dance Ensemble. The Banco Central ng Pilipinas Choir led the crowd in the Doxology and in Singing the National Anthem.

The Davao Trade Expo exhibitors will include large companies as well as small business ventures. There are over sixty participants who are to exhibit their products and services for the duration of the Expo. Local Designers and Inventors will also be there to showcase their wares and talents.

A noticeable trend among the exhibitors at DATE 2008 is their preference of being ‘Green’ and the Organic. Of note are producers and cooperatives who produce accessories and jewelry out of recycled plastics and magazines. Beauty product companies also showcase items made from organic ingredients and renewable materials. Furniture designers from in and around the region will also be exhibiting pieces made from renewable products and recycled wood. Organic Teas and Brews will also be showcased in DATE 2008.

Other than the organic, DATE 2008 is also home to producers of industrial materials. Some will show scales for home and industrial use. Another will showcase industrial machines including mixers and cutters. Industrially used plastics and containers are also present in the 10th Davao Trade Expo. Builders and suppliers of Walling materials are also there.

Schools, computer retailers, meat and produce companies as well as print and ad companies are also holding exhibits during DATE 2008.