TICA MICE UPDATE

MICE INITIATIVES

TCEB calls for global collaboration in creating new business event strategies

TCEB has launched new campaign Thailand: REDEFINE Your Business Events to transform the organisation’s role

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched new campaign Thailand: REDEFINE Your Business Events to transform the organisation’s role from a supporter and marketer of business events hosted in Thailand, to that of a thought leader, partner, collaborator, co-creator and enabler of future solutions within the industry. The campaign will be underpinned by proactive marketing strategies and activities to attract more premium convention, meeting and incentive groups from long haul destinations like Europe and the Americas.

The campaign calls for collaboration between the Thai business events community and international event planners, to create new event content and strategies to drive stronger returns on investment, time, effort and engagement. TCEB’s experience over the past 12 months - working with the Society for Incentive Travel Excellence (SITE) in preparation for the SITE Global Conference happening from 11 to 14 January 2019 in Bangkok - embodies the spirit of true collaboration.

Mrs. Nichapa Yoswee, Senior Vice President of TCEB, explains: “TCEB and the Thailand host committee have been working for the past year to ensure that SITE’s conference content reflects the spirit of Thai hospitality and creative excellence. Delegates will experience amazing off-site social networking locations including cultural interactive experiences in locations along the Bangkok River.” “Thailand welcomes business events which centre on knowledge, creativity and culture, and provides opportunities to gain invaluable experience. As part of our new campaign ‘Thailand: REDEFINE Your Business Events’, we welcome global event planners such as SITE, to collaborate with our Thai community to create new experiences for participants using Thailand’s rich content. A cash reward programme has also been introduced to MICE agents and intermediaries, who accumulate meetings and incentives group numbers or spending in a year to Thailand, with incentives up to 2 million baht (approx. EUR 52,630).”

Thailand is committed to establishing long-term relationships with international organisations keen to leave a sustainable legacy after their event. SITE provides respected global industry education with professional development courses including CIS (Certified Incentive Specialist) and the newly-launched CITP (Certified Incentive Travel Professional). These courses, available during the global conference in Bangkok, will equip the next generation of leaders with the knowledge they need to work with international business leads.

SITE CEO, Didier Scaillet, CITP explains: “We are proud to be partnering with Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau as the major sponsor and destination partner for the SITE Global Conference in Bangkok in January. Thailand is one of the world’s leading incentive travel destinations, supported by authentic yet professional products that our delegates will experience. More importantly for us, the conference is the first step to other collaborations SITE and TCEB in 2019, especially in the areas of professional education and talent development. We are delighted that TCEB has taken a proactive step to include SITE as one of their global collaborators in their new campaign.”

TCEB encourages and co-creates new MICE events that align with national economic policies including Thailand 4.0 - an economic master plan to transform the Thai economy into an innovation-led, high tech-based economy by promoting 10 S-Curve industries. As of September 30, 2018, Thailand won a total of 14 bids to host international conventions, attracted 10 mega-size meeting and incentive groups (with more than 2,000 delegates) and supported a total of 476 business events.

The top three European countries to visit Thailand for business are France, Germany and UK. TCEB predicts this sector will grow substantially in 2019 – with a 5% increase in international MICE visitors (1,320,000) and 5% increase in generated revenue (around 2,645 million euro). Thailand is working to strengthen its reputation as a leading international business hub and a business platform of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), with the development of new business precincts like the Eastern Economic Corridor (EEC), Thailand Digital Park and Thailand Innovation Park. The Thai government is also investing in major infrastructure projects that will bolster ties and create new business opportunities with neighbouring CLMV countries (Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam).