EXHIBITION

A boost for Thailand’s exhibition organisers

New incubation programme to upskill exhibition stakeholders as the Kingdom prepares for international events amid border reopening.

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

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) on 28 September launched the 'EO: Pro LEAGUE' — an incubation programme aimed at preparing exhibition organisers (EO) for future collaborations with international show organisers staging their events in the Kingdom.

With the Kingdom's latest border reopening announcements, the programme takes on heightened prominence, inviting all local stakeholders in the exhibition industry to kickstart their upskilling journey from the fundamental to professional stages.

Practical tips include international show management knowhow, upgrading the EO's competitiveness to an international level, as well as exploring new market opportunities and international potential leads.

"In parallel with TCEB, professional exhibition organisers (PEOs) with international profile are the keys to unlock Thailand’s exhibitions potential, and should move on to the next level," said TCEB Senior Vice President, Nichapa Yoswee.

In the last quarter of 2021, TCEB plans to support 15 international trade exhibitions, expected to generate USD 187 million in revenue to the national economy.

Because venues provide the hardware to exhibitions, TCEB launched the 'Thailand MICE Venue Standard' (TMVS) to support venue operators in complying with international and ASEAN customers’ requirements for service and safety excellence.

As of this year, there are 194 venues nationwide as TMVS-certified venues, of which 10 are exhibition premises, 15 are special event venues and the rest hotels, as recorded at 26 August's 'MICE Standards Day 2021'.

The latest addition brings the total number of TMVS-certified venues in Thailand to 880, with TCEB gearing up to assess another 155 venues across the country in 2022.

"TCEB is always committed to supporting venue operators to reach high standard of operations through the TMVS. This is even more important considering the hardship caused by the pandemic and the customer's requirements for service and safety excellence," said Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayutthaya, President of TCEB.

"The investments they have made to gain certification will pay off as the world reopens for travel and business events."

Meanwhile, Thailand’s largest convention center, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC) with 78,500 sqm of exhibition space is scheduled to open in September 2022, while Impact Muang Thong Thani will resume business soon after pivoting to a field hospital to supporting the government's pandemic efforts.