THE 68th Annual National Convention of the Philippine Sugar Technologists Association (Philsutech) at the Park Inn Hotel in Bacolod City on August 23 to 27, 2022 will be conducted face-to-face.This year’s theme is “Adaptability for a Sustainable Philippine Sugar Industry in the Changing World.”“In view of the much-improved Covid-related health status of the city and the province, the Philsutech Board of Directors and Officers have decided to hold this year’s convention via face-to-face format,” Philsutech Corporate Secretary and administrative officer Haydee Rivera said.At the height of the Covid pandemic in 2020, Philsutech was compelled to cancel the convention, which is one of the most awaited events among sugar industry stakeholders.When the health situation improved last year, the organization pushed through with the historic 67th Philsutech Annual National Convention at SMX Convention Center in Bacolod City in August.Last year’s event was momentous because it was the first time that the convention returned to Bacolod City after 17 years of being held in Cebu, the association said.Also, it was the first convention conducted in a hybrid format of a mix of mostly virtual interactions and limited actual physical appearances, it added.Hundreds of sugar industry leaders, technologists, technology providers, farmers, traders and millers are expected to participate in this year’s convention to update their knowledge on the latest industry technologies and developments.Delegates come not only from the Philippines but also from other sugar-producing countries.The convention will also feature keynote messages from government officials and industry experts who can apprise stakeholders on issues affecting the industry, as well as the usual product exhibits, technical presentations, the Search for the Best Technical Paper, the Don Carlos L. Locsin Award and the Outstanding Sugar Practitioner Award.The Annual General Membership Assembly will be conducted on August 26, 2022.Engineer Noli Segovia, the plant manager of alcohol manufacturer URC-La Carlota Distillery, is the overall chairman for this year’s convention.For more than 30 years, Segovia has handled different aspects of alcohol distillery plant operations.He has served as resident manager of San Carlos Bioenergy and AVP – Factory Operations Manager of Roxol Bioenergy.Segovia also had a stint as supervisor in Asian Alcohol of Tanduay Philippines in Distileria Bago and as a department head of San Miguel Corp. (PR)