TCEB

Thailand gears up for 70 international events into 2022

With reopening plans set to expand in coming months, the Kingdom's business events sector expects a swift recovery.

This article was originally found on M&C/Asia.

Thailand reopened to 63 countries on 1 November, with this list set to expand in December and again in January — and the Kingdom's business events sector is already bearing fruit from the news.

According to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), 70 new international trade shows are in the pipeline until 2022.

With Covid-free protocols firmly in place, and "the easing of quarantine rules and pandemic control measures, [as well as] speedy vaccination rollout, it is a great opportunity for TCEB to signal to international organisers that Thailand is ready to stage global trade shows from November 2021 onwards," read an official statement.

In the lead-up to Thailand's international border reopening, TCEB had been working with local industry stakeholders to prepare for the 'new normal'.

In September, the bureau announced its three-pronged MICE strategy for 2022, focusing on developing and up-skilling the sector towards more prominent hosting opportunities.

One example is the 'EO: Pro LEAGUE' launched in the same month — an incubation programmeaimed at preparing exhibition organisers for future collaborations with international show organisers staging events in the Kingdom.

As well, from 3-4 November, 26 qualified convention bid agents attended a training programme — the third in a series — by TCEB in collaboration with the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), backed by IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers).

The hybrid event held at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park followed June's Reflection Session, and July's Beginner and Intermediate Session, as TCEB sought to "equip Thailand's bidding team with proper tools to hunt for important and strategic bids, grow the number of bid submissions and, ultimately, increase the chance to win more bids for the country," read a post on the bureau's Facebook page.

With the proliferation of digital event experiences, Thailand has also been busy hosting virtual editions of major trade shows including SUBCON Thailand, Medlab Asia and Asia Health, Thaifex, V-Connect Asia, LED Expo Thailand – Smartech ASEAN, and Building Construction Technology Expo.

"Through our active collaboration with state and private entities, Thailand now reopens for exhibition organisers to restart business. We warmly welcome you all for unlimited opportunities and the next chapter of success," said TCEB President, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.