Judging at the (Regional Trade, Tourism, Investment) RTTI award

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These past two days (14-15 May 2008) have been a weary and enjoyable burst. I spent 13 hours non stop a day in closed doors as one of the judges of the Best Governor/Mayor. The award judgment is made based on their achievement in Trade, Tourism, and Investment (TTI). I was very happy though, since I witnessed the enthusiasm of all participants in marketing their regions have grown higher. Some cities are so creative and even surprising. Sawahlunto, once a city famous for their coal mines trasformed their deserted mining sites into a tour site. They called it mining tour city. I thought this was just great.

This event is a cooperation effort between MarkPlus, Inc with the Indonesia Marketing Association (IMA) and the DPD RI. Its objective is to support and foster the growth of provinces and cities throughout Indonesia. This event also continues the Country Distinguished Marketing Award by Philip Koler to President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono in Agustus 2007. The winner will receive the Regional Trade, Tourism, and Investment Award (RTTI) Award which will be presented by President Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono himslef at the Indonesia Regional Investment Forum (IRIF) 2008 on 26-27 May, 2008 at the Hotel Ritz-Carlton Pasific Place Jakarta.

I have long encouraged the importance of marketing for places in Indonesia. Especially after the decentralization (otonomi daerah) which gave the challenge and opportunity for each region to optimize their revenue. The strategy in marketing places has been also written in a one of my books back in 2005, "Attracting Tourists, Traders, Investors: Strategi Memasarkan Daerah di Era Otonomi".

I hope that in the future all of the provinces and regions will move forward into a better phase, and evetually our beloved nation will prosper.

Here is a picture of me with my good friend, Mr Junardy (Chairman of IMA)