Roundtable ATM attendees gather at AIM's Zen Garden. A tranquil backdrop for a future-focused group.
Auto & Tech | Charting the Road Ahead: Reflections on the Recently Concluded Roundtable ATM |by Mark Saberola, EIC | The autotech and mobility industries are at a tipping point never before seen, with new technology and trends constantly altering how people perceive and interact with transportation. It is a sector ripe for debate, collaboration, and, most importantly, invention. This is why the recently finished Roundtable ATM (AutoTech and Mobility) couldn’t have happened at a better moment. As someone who has been enormously rewarded by the automotive industry, planning and participating in this event felt like my way of ‘paying it forward.’
The roundtable meeting was scheduled for early in the morning to set a proactive tone for the day. It’s worth noting that, despite the fact that it was held after a long weekend, the turnout was nothing short of spectacular. This speaks eloquently about industry experts’ excitement and dedication to defining the future of automotive technology and mobility.
A Diverse, Thought-Provoking Agenda
The day was jam-packed with thought-provoking presentations, lively debates, and invaluable networking opportunities. The agenda was as wide as it was extensive, ranging from developments in electric vehicle technology to the legal implications of autonomous driving.
The keynote talk by Ms. Grace Vera-Cruz, Grab’s country head, was the event’s high point. Her views added depth and variety to our discussions by providing a real-world application of the region’s mobility issues and potential.
A Team Effort
Organizing an event of this magnitude is no small feat, and it could not have been possible without the collective efforts of a dedicated team.
Putting on an event of this scale is no easy task, and it would not have been possible without the combined efforts of a dedicated team.
– Our creative powerhouses, Liv and Dess Escartin of Oseas Tech and Media Social, were in charge of the event’s look and interactive components.
– Forent’s Jayvee De Leon and AutoServed’s Kevin Abalos assured that we have the resources to put off an event of this magnitude smoothly.
– C4 Events’ April Sanchez and Claire Hamor took on the Herculean task of event coordination, and their rigorous attention to detail ensured that everything went off without a hitch.
– With his legal expertise, Atty Marlon Valderrama of Lexmeet gave the proceedings weight and gravity, including legal topics that are sometimes disregarded in tech debates.
– AIM-DBI’s Rose Benedicto and Ysa Santos were the unsung heroes, diligently arranging the event’s numerous moving elements.
– Prim Paypon, AIM-DBI’s Executive Director, whose influential social network had a revolutionary impact. His efforts in obtaining Grab’s country head as the keynote speaker considerably enhanced the event, and using AIM-DBI’s credibility gave the cause a significant boost.
– A special mention should be made of Zes Martinez of FAME and Homer Nievera of Negosentro, whose effort sparked this historic event. They not only set the wheels in motion, but he graciously used their huge media network to magnify our message, dramatically enhancing the event’s reach and impact.

Inclusion and Diversity
It was encouraging to have Grace Cruz, a female leader in a mostly male sector, participate in the roundtable discussion. Her participation provided as an important reminder of the importance of having more diverse voices in the mobility sector.
Individual Contributions to Collective Success
Three attendees stood out in a crowded room full of industry executives at the recently concluded Roundtable ATM, an event dedicated to determining the future of Automotive Technology and Mobility. Their stories capture the gathering’s diverse and inclusive nature, offering a view into the multifaceted world of autotech and mobility.
Jerome: Bridging the Gap
Jerome, a seasoned executive in the petroleum industry, underlined the critical role that startups can play alongside established corporations in promoting innovation. His thoughts, coming from a field closely related to mobility, provided a unique depth to our conversations. Jerome sees startups as accelerators for quick advancement of innovation through agile approaches and new viewpoints. With backgrounds in petroleum and automotive, he and I found common ground in understanding the problems and unexplored opportunities in the auto tech and mobility sector.
Vince: Steering Toward Autonomy
Vince, a pioneering Silicon Valley entrepreneur focusing on self-driving technologies, added great insight to our conversations. More than just providing technical knowledge, Vince exhibited a genuine readiness to contribute, potentially hastening the progress of the country’s autotech and mobility businesses.
Luigi: Amplifying the Message
Finally, there was Luigi, a corporate event coordinator. While he was not directly involved in automotive or mobility, his function was possibly the most important – spreading the word about ATM’s efforts. In an age when information is plentiful but attention is short, having someone who could successfully call attention to important challenges and remarkable advancements in the autotech field was vital. Luigi’s facilitation increased the exposure of the innovative work being done, bringing in more stakeholders and amplifying the roundtable’s effect.
Future Prospects
If the enthusiasm and devotion shown during this roundtable are any indication, the future of the autotech and mobility industries seems promising. But, as they say, “Rome wasn’t built in a day.” While the event was a terrific launch pad for future initiatives, there is still much work to be done. Fortunately, the Roundtable ATM has demonstrated that there is no shortage of individuals ready to offer their knowledge and passion to bring the industry forward.
Don’t worry, those who missed out. The movement is expanding all the time, and it’s not too late to join. This roundtable’s insights and partnerships are only the beginning; they are not the end.
Finally, a heartfelt ‘Maraming Salamat’ to all the guests, participants, and organizers who helped make this event a success. The road ahead is long and challenging, but as demonstrated by the Roundtable ATM, it is a journey that we are most than prepared to take.
About Roundtable ATM
Roundtable ATM (Automotive Technology and Mobility) is a premier platform dedicated to fostering innovation, discussion, and collaboration within the auto tech and mobility industry. Committed to shaping a sustainable, safe, and efficient future for transportation, Roundtable ATM serves as a hub for industry leaders, startup founders, researchers, and policymakers. Our events feature compelling presentations, interactive panel discussions, and invaluable networking opportunities, designed to challenge the status quo and advance the field. By bringing together a diverse group of experts and visionaries, Roundtable ATM aims to be the driving force behind the next wave of breakthroughs in autotech and mobility solutions.
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