The PCCI Membership Recruitment and Retention Committee led by Vice President Bing Limjoco and Chair Socorro Bautista piloted its industry focused networking and B2B dubbed,‘Synergy Connect: Big Brother – Small Brother’ last July 10, 2025 at the PCCI Office. Apart from the usual fellowship type of networking for members, this featured one-on-one business matching sessions between large companies and SMEs where specific schedules have been given for the parties to meet and closely interact with desired company/ies of their choice based on their business interests.
At this first industry B2B, the Committee hosted Transport&amp;Logistics and Hospitality&amp;Tourism as featured industries and thankful for the support and participation of Astoria Hotels and Resorts from Cathay Group of Companies and DHL Express Philippines represented by Mr. Dennis Sandoval, Corporate Purchasing Manager, and Mr. Emil Dabuet, Relationship Sales Manager, respectively.
Forty-six (46) participants representing thirty-two (32) companies met each of them during their allotted time. These SMEs comprised the following sectors: construction and construction materials, hotel and restaurant, trucking and transportation business, consumer goods, garments and textiles, among others.
The short survey fielded thereafter gained feedback about participants having productive interactions among themselves with the format aligning well with their business development goals. Not only did they have the opportunity to link with the featured large companies but they were also able to explore business with fellow SMEs during the open networking. Companies from the construction sector remarked that the matching sessions met their procurement needs as they connected with firms offering a wide range of material supplies. Others indicated that while immediate partnerships outside their core industries may not be part of their current strategy, future cross-sector collaborations remain a possibility.
There were some challenges, expectations and suggestions shared which were very good points to consider in succeeding B2B sessions – meeting schedules should be sent in advance, more time be provided for individual meetings for in-depth conversations, include self intro of participants and to hold similar undertakings on a monthly basis.
This came out as a good introductory event and well appreciated by members with strong interest and active engagement derived from their individual meetings. This not only provided leverage for SMEs but featured large companies were also able to explore products and services from them. Overall feedback was overwhelmingly positive reflecting a strong sense of satisfaction and optimism and all look forward to participating in future meetings. The positive responses reinforce the importance of continuing such platform as they not only promote dialogue but also cultivate a dynamic environment for partnership and growth. The Committee plans to undertake this twice a year or as more frequent as possible.
Through this exercise, it is hoped that it will be instrumental in members’ search for supply requirements, raw materials, services and raise any concerns and challenges SMEs are experiencing in the featured industries in its future iterations.
The Committee also thanks Avestronics and Makati Diamond Residences for their support in this endeavor.