Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is bringing to IMEX 2023 Frankfurt the optimism, enthusiasm, and collaborative spirit that have energised Thailand’s MICE industry since the normalisation of international travel. The Thai Team this year comprises seven destination management companies, 17 hotels and resorts, two venues, Thai Airways International, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), and TCEB. Every member is determined to help planners craft an exceptional MICE experience and assist MICE travelers to have a magic MICE journey under the new TCEB campaign called “Thailand MICE to Meet You Year 2023”.
TCEB President Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya said: “IMEX Frankfurt is one of the most important MICE trade shows in the world and it is an excellent launch pad for our ‘Thailand MICE to Meet You Year 2023’ campaign. This campaign is aligned with the Thai Government’s tourism campaign called ‘Visit Thailand Year 2022– 2023: Amazing New Chapters’, which aims to promote Thailand’s soft power through the five F’s – food, fashion, festival, film, and fight. Fight refers to Muay Thai, the traditional Thai martial art that has gained much exposure lately, including a much-heralded debut at this year’s European Games. To support the launch of our campaign, we have assembled a Thai Team of diverse expertise and deep experience from 29 organisations. We look forward to meeting our friends and colleagues from around the world, and update everyone on the many exciting and fresh developments that will facilitate and fulfill every step of their MICE journey in Thailand”
TCEB’s “Thailand MICE to Meet You Year 2023” campaign covers every step of planning and making a MICE journey:
- Enhanced Convenience at MICE Lane TCEB’s MICE Lane service is now available at both Suvarnabhumi and Don Meuang airports in Bangkok. 3,500 visitors had made use of the MICE Lane at these airports from October 2022 to March 2023. The service is also available in Phuket and Chiang Mai on a case-by-case basis upon request.
- Diverse locations in MICE Cities/destinations
At least 13 hotels with meeting space and facilities are open in 2023 in Bangkok, Phuket, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, and Hua Hin. The location is not, however, limited to each particular city but a cluster of city, as well. The highlight is Andaman cluster, with the main destination of Phuket in combination with its neighboring provinces of Phang-nga and Krabi, is now featuring wellness and retreat programs for its unique selling point to complement Phuket’s bidding for Expo 2028 Phuket Thailand with the theme ““Future of Life: Living in Harmony, Sharing Prosperity”
- More Choices of Certified MICE Venues
As of March 2023, there are 1,228 meeting rooms in Thailand that have acquired Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) certification, giving international MICE planners a wider selection of professionally managed facilities. There are also 63 certified Special Event Venues – places that offer a unique ambience such as rooftop terraces, art studios, auditoriums, museums, refurbished old factories, vineyards, and parks and gardens.
- MICE Suppliers – Sustainability and Tech Solutions
Thailand now boasts 52 MICE entrepreneurs certified with Thailand Sustainable Event Management Standard (TSEM). This means planners have a larger pool of qualified local partners who can guide them in selecting and implementing a variety of impactful sustainability practices. These MICE suppliers can also help event organisers access a wide range of technology solutions to improve productivity and outcomes. These solutions include digital artworks, special visual and lighting effects, virtual influencers, data analytics, reservation and ticketing apps, and temporary staff recruitment platforms.
- MICE Events – Parade of Global Meetings
Bangkok will be a host city for a line-up of global meetings. All are of significant impacts for the industry, economy and global development. The ICCA Annual Congress 2023 will take place in November. In 2024, the capital city of Thailand will be hosting Global Spine Congress and Money 20/20, the world’s fintech conference. The Annual Meeting of the World Bank and the International Monetary Fund 2026 is confirmed for Bangkok, as well.
- MICE Experiences – Local Choices, Global Recognition
Thailand is now offering one more choice of culinary journey for MICE planners and travelers because The Michelin Guide will feature Koh Samui and Surat Thani city in southern Thailand in its 2024 edition. This development will make it easier for MICE visitors to explore Thailand’s delectably diverse culinary landscape. Similarly, Muay Thai is also making headlines in the global arena. In Europe, Muay Thai has made great strides – its much-anticipated debut at the European Games this year in Poland is set to generate much interest and raise the sport’s profile in Europe.
- Privileges in MICE Support Schemes
TCEB will be highlighting three support schemes at IMEX 2023 – “MI Plus Experience By Yourself”, “Partnership package”, and “Convene Plus BCG”. The first offers support scheme for site inspection, with certain amount of fund for related items during the trip in Thailand, such as accommodation, F&B, ground arrangement based on the criteria of the group. It is on a first come, first served basis and subject to terms and conditions and availability. Partnership package is collaboration of TCEB with 55 suppliers in Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Pattaya, Phuket, and Hua Hin to offer privileges for such activities as dinner cruise, shopping, forest adventure, sight-seeing activities. “Convene Plus BCG” targets the Professional Conference Organiser (PCO) and associations, and helps with their bid preparation, convention planning, marketing and promotion, and practices that are aligned with the Bio-Circular-Green Economy Model.
The Thailand Pavilion is at Stand B150 at IMEX Frankfurt 2023.
For more information, contact TCEB at: pr@tceb.or.th