The Western Visayas Gastronomy & Creative Expo 2026, held on January 19, 2025, at SM City Iloilo, was successfully implemented as a strategic continuation of the region’s major economic and creative initiatives, particularly the One Visayas Expo 2024 and the Western Visayas Business Conference and Expo 2025. The event further advanced efforts to promote Western Visayas’ strengths in gastronomy, creative industries, and local enterprise development.
The expo also built on the region’s growing national visibility following the Iloilo City Government’s participation in WOFEX 2025 and Manila FAME 2025, which helped position Iloilo and Western Visayas as emerging destinations for creative and gastronomic excellence. These milestones reinforced the importance of sustained platforms that connect local producers, creatives, and enterprises to broader markets.
As part of this initiative, Innovate Iloilo joined and supported the Western Visayas Gastronomy & Creative Expo 2026 through its participation in the Local Economic Development and Investment Program (LEDIP) and Meetings, Incentives, Conferences, and Exhibitions (MICE) components. This engagement contributed to the promotion of innovation-driven businesses, creative enterprises, and investment opportunities aligned with the region’s tourism and destination development goals.
The expo served as a collaborative platform that brought together local entrepreneurs, Iloilo citizens, LGUs, NGAs, tourism representatives, city and provincial government offices, private sector partners, and ecosystem enablers. It provided both locals and visitors the opportunity to experience and savor the Best of Iloilo and Western Visayas, while strengthening business linkages and cross-sector partnerships.
Overall, the Western Visayas Gastronomy & Creative Expo 2026 highlighted the value of collaboration in advancing regional economic and creative development. Innovate Iloilo’s participation reflected its continued support for initiatives that foster entrepreneurship, promote innovation, and contribute to positioning Western Visayas as a dynamic hub for creativity, culture, and inclusive growth.
