The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) in cooperation with international exhibition and event bodies today held the Thailand MICE International Forum (TMIF) 2012 in Bangkok.
The Forum unites expertise from TCEB and the Asian Federation for Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) and the US-based International Association of Exhibitions and Events (IAEE).
With the theme, “Connecting Asia, Connecting Success,” the Forum has two goals: 1) domestically, to enhance the appreciation among Thailand’s MICE operators of the importance and potential of the regional MICE industry, elevate its service standards and encourage the industry to prepare fully for a new competitive environment; and 2) internationally, to highlight Thailand’s capabilities and readiness as a gateway to the regional MICE market in Asia.
“The forum opens the door for Thailand, as the platform of ASEAN, to serve as a focal point in harnessing and linking together the diverse strengths and potential of MICE players across the Asian region,” said Mr. Thongchai Sridama, Acting President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
TMIF 2012 comprises three major events: 1) an international forum, including seminars and keynote lectures from renowned leaders in the global MICE industry; 2) a business matching event, open to all participating MICE operators and visitors from Thailand and around the world, and 3) a Trade Promoter Roundtable Discussion dedicated to MICE industry development in the CLMV countries - Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar and Vietnam.
Mr. Thongchai said that despite last year’s slowdown in the global MICE industry, triggered by the economic crises in Europe and USA, Asia’s MICE industry has bucked the trend and continued its robust year-on-year growth.
“MICE organisers and travellers from around the world are starting to pay new attention to Asia as a global MICE destination. Moreover, the forthcoming creation of the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC) in 2015 highlights the increasing strategic importance and overall potential of the region’s MICE sector. I believe the formation of the AEC is set to drive major growth and transformation in the region’s MICE industry.”
Last year, MICE travellers from Asia made a vital contribution to the strong growth in Thailand’s MICE industry, with over 396,000 visitors, representing 47% of all MICE travellers. They contributed Baht 28.5 billion to Thailand's economy. Visitors from India, China, Singapore, Japan and Malaysia occupy the top five places among Asian MICE visitors.
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