IT-BPO leaders to discuss global industry developments in 4th International Outsourcing Summit

(Manila, Philippines) — The Philippines, a global IT-BPO delivery center, will host approximately 100 speakers and panelists and 500 delegates representing the global IT-BPO industry and its clients and suppliers this October.

The fourth annual International Outsourcing Summit (IOS), organized by the Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP), is meant to provide a venue to debate prospects for the industry as well as potential obstacles to its sustained, rapid growth. This year’s meeting is particularly timely according to BPAP president and CEO Benedict Hernandez, who says key IT-BPO markets face unprecedented economic challenges.

“No one expected the global financial crisis that began in 2009 to not just linger into 2012, but threaten a string of formally vibrant economies,” Benedict said. “So far the global IT-BPO industry has seen the downturn create new opportunities. But will that continue to be the case given that the worst effects of the crisis may still be to come? It’s important for our future that we get a handle on economic prospects globally.”

Benedict says other challenges to IT-BPO growth include looming protectionism, increased competition within the industry, and increasing demand from clients for services that do more than provide high efficiency levels. “Increasingly clients expect our industry to play a significant role in transforming their business processes, and creating new sources of revenue,” he said.

Among the confirmed speakers are Alfredo Ayala, president and CEO of LiveIt Investments Ltd. and chairman of BPAP; Som Mittal, president of NASSCOM; Jean Paul Binot, director for Finance Transformation at Deloitte Consulting Pte.; Penny Bongato, executive director for Talent Development of BPAP; Gerry Clark, partner, Information Services Group; David Guerrero, chairman and CCO of BBDO Guerrero; and, BenedictHernandez, in his capacity as operations lead of Accenture BPO Services Delivery as well as BPAP chief.

Other speakers include Alejandro Melchor III, deputy executive director of Information and Communications Technology Office of the Department of Science and Technology; Paul Mitchell, head of Asia Pacific Markets for Advisory Services at Ernst & Young; Sergio Pessoa, director of Global Market Development at Brazilian Association of Information Technology and Communication Companies; Ralph Schonenbach, CEO of Trestle Group; Nora Terrado, president and country manager of Headstrong, and president of Philippine Software Industry Association; Mahesh Venkataraman, director of PricewaterhouseCoopers Singapore; and Gillian Virata, senior executive director of BPAP.

“As it has every year, we expect this year’s Summit to reach a new record attendance,” said Raymond Lacdao, BPAP executive director for industry affairs. “Interest is extremely high, and over 100 speakers and 500 delegates—top-level executives from the IT-BPO and GIC industry, services centers, and key markets around the world, will lead the discussions this year,” he said.

IOS 2012 will take place October 7–9, 2012 at the Makati Shangri-La Hotel. It features keynote presentations by industry and domain experts; panel discussions with top industry executives from around the world, and other respected and influential resource persons; gala dinners; business matching sessions; exclusive briefings; unconferencing sessions; and a trade exhibit, according to Monette Hamlin, president of TeamAsia, which has been engaged to produce the Summit.

“One of many compelling questions to be discussed is, “Is the ‘golden age’ of outsourcing upon us?” said Virata, BPAP senior executive director. “With developments in technology, expanding demand, and shifts in public policy creating major shifts for the global IT-BPO industry, the opportunities and threats to the industry are at the same time myriad, exciting, and challenging.”

For additional information, visit the IOS website at www.internationaloutsourcingsummit.com or contact Rona Castillo at rccastillo@teamasia.com. Delegates may register and pay online. A limited number of sponsorship opportunities are available for industry players and suppliers.

About BPAP
The Business Processing Association of the Philippines (BPAP) is the umbrella association for the IT-BPO and GIC (Global In-House Center) industry in the Philippines. BPAP serves as the one-stop information and advocacy gateway for the industry. With approximately 250 industry and allied-industry members, including five associations, BPAP plays a pivotal role in sustaining rapid growth of the IT-BPO and GIC industry by working to ensure an enduring supply of high quality labor, supporting service innovation, and providing country visibility.

About TeamAsia
TeamAsia is an award-winning strategic marketing communications firm that develops place, corporate, and personal brand strategies, creative concepts, and marketing communications programs and campaigns incorporating events, public relations, and Web 2.0 tools for its clients. Its core businesses include design services; public relations, editorial, copywriting, and SEO services; media relations; event management; online campaign management; and web development. The agency also offers workshops and seminars primarily related to its core communications businesses.