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THE idea of holding a tech and startup conference in a beach setting is brilliant, says a Singaporean business executive. And it will be in Boracay.

Jiah Jih Chai, Southeast Asia managing director of worldwide accommodations leader Airbnb, said he immediately pledged to sponsor the “Geeks On A Beach” (GOAB) tech/startup confab when organizers TechTalks.ph sought out his support for the event.

“The GOAB is unique,” Chai said. “This is very different from the usually conference hall-held sessions. And this is what makes the GOAB uniquely distinct from other conferences not just in the Philippines but in Asia.”

A tech geek himself, Chai said this is also the perfect time for the Philippines to show off its entrepreneurial talents along with its hospitality and the beaches.

“This is the time for Filipinos to show their entrepreneurial skills, strengthen their tech and startup communities, help future entrepreneurs, and teach hospitality to the rest of the world,” said Chai, who graduated from INSEAD – one of the leading and largest graduate business schools in the world.

The “Geeks On A Beach” confab scheduled on Sept. 26-27 will be held in Boracay, which Chai honestly believes is “the world’s best island” as declared by Travel+Leisure.

“Everybody is talking about Bali (in Indonesia). But when they come to Boracay, they will see that Bali is way, way behind Boracay,” Chai said.

Airbnb, the trusted community marketplace to book unique accommodations around the world online or from a mobile phone, will shoulder $50 worth of each of the GOAB participant’s accommodation during the two-day confab.

“We have a choice of over 250 unique accommodations in Boracay for the guests and participants,” said Chai, who is also among the cast of resource persons in the GOAB. “I’m looking forward to GOAB becoming an annual event in the Philippines.”

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Meet to gather geeks in Boracay (Silosbreaker.com)