MICE INITIATIVES

AFECA 2023 marks a new era for Asian MICE Industry in Bangkok

AFECA 2023's first in-person meeting post-COVID in Bangkok focuses on regional MICE industry growth and public-private collaboration.

This article was originally found on Travel Daily News Asia-Pacific.

AFECA 2023 concluded its first face-to-face meeting in Bangkok after the COVID-19 situation. The meeting generated a new drive to power the regional MICE industry. Members agreed in principle to collaborate in easing of doing regional business and sustainability while TCEB, the host of the meeting, introduced a new platform A20 for AFECA, opening the floor for the first time for the public sector to involve with AFECA.

The annual general meeting of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) or AFECA 2023 took place under the theme "Uniting Asia for a Global MICE Future" between 21 and 23 November at Bangkok Marriott Hotel The Surawongse. It was hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and supported by the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) and Thai Exhibition Association (TEA).

The meeting was the first in-person annual gathering of AFECA since the outbreak of COVID-19 and was able to attract around 200 leaders from more than 140 organisations across 16 Asian countries.

The three-day AFECA 2023 concluded with two significant development initiatives. The first is the inauguration of the AFECA Asia 20 Business Events Forum (A20). It was introduced by TCEB and TICA to serve as a platform for AFECA members to meet with key persons of the government sector or professionals so that they can foster ties and exchange ideas on economic landscape development and trends that can affect or shape the MICE industry. It was the first time that AFECA, usually holding member-only meetings, opened the floor of its annual gathering for the government sector, to interact with its members.

The second is the agreed scope of collaboration of AFECA members which will help drive the growth of the MICE industry facing with changing economic landscape. They agreed on three areas of collaboration – ease of doing regional business, industry update and manpower skill and sustainability.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of TCEB, stated that as a host organisation, TCEB is pleased that a new drive of AFECA to propel the industry is generated at the meeting in Bangkok. This is of high significance considering that a global hiatus resulting from the pandemic during the past few years has posed challenges for the industry. Refreshed and renewed ignition for the regional MICE industry is, thus, crucial. A20 forum, which TCEB and TICA initiated for AFECA, is aimed at serving as a platform to strengthen ties between the public and private sectors in advancing the MICE industry. The MICE industry can demonstrate its economic role to the government sector, keep abreast of the policy-level initiatives and perspectives and find possible ways to co-create positive impacts of the industry. TCEB strongly hopes that AFECA will continue such an open platform for its following gatherings.

"Of particular note is the collaboration in ease of doing regional business which TCEB has implemented for overseas clients coming to Thailand. If AFECA collaboration in this area has been realised, it will create positive and impactful advantages regionally which can position Asia as a leader in global MICE activities.", Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said.

Dato' Vincent Lim, President of AFECA, reflected on the conference's success, "Εspecially the inaugural A20 conference, which is our premier stage, our arena in Asia for Asia's Business Events industry. It underscores our commitment to call for collaboration, to transform local expertise into global excellence. The pillars of 'Local to Global,' 'Asia for Asia,' and 'Act as One for the Planet' have inspired us to forge stronger regional ties, indicating our collective responsibility towards our environment."

Dato' Vincent Lim further noted, "This first physical annual gathering of AFECA after the pandemic witnessed an impressive growth of 20% in Asia's convention and exhibition market in 2022, which reflects the promising shared future of the region as a prominent MICE market of the world."