Events growth lifts direct sales sector
THE growth of Thailand's direct selling industry is seen by multi-level marketing (MLM) companies as a key factor that makes the country a hub for corporate events.
This year, more than 40,000 distributors from overseas-based MLM companies will come to convene in Thailand, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), said.
The agency said it is confident that the rising growth trend of the MLM business will drive the incentive sector in the meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry to hit a revenue target of Bt22 billion at the end of fiscal 2018.
Scott Lewis, chief visionary officer of Jeunesse Global, an international multi-level marketing company, said that the company would organise the Jeunesse Expo World Tour 2018 in Thailand this year.
The event, which will be held under the theme Thrive, will take place in Bangkok from September 20-23 at the IMPACT Arena and Hall 1-2 IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre.
“This event is the annual celebration for Jeunesse corporate and Jeunesse distributors to revel in the spirit of our joint accomplishments,” Lewis said.
Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of TCEB, said: “TCEB is pleased to welcome these top incentive events to Thailand. All of the attendees are top distributors; they are all champions. By having these top distributors to convene and develop the business strategies in Thailand, it will undoubtedly benefit their Thai members and the country’s direct selling industry. At the same time, these events will promote and emphasise the awareness of Thailand’s MICE industry as well.”
In fiscal 2017, Thailand welcomed 1,276,411 MICE travellers, who generated Bt104.6 billion of revenue for the country. Of these, 259,901 were travellers who joined conventions in Thailand and generated Bt24.4 billion in revenue. Some 271,793 were incentive travellers and helped contribute Bt16.6 billion in revenue. Thailand’s top five incentive markets are China, India, Malaysia, Singapore and Indonesia.
“With TCEB’s campaigns and the strong awareness of Thailand as a business and leisure destination, TCEB foresees that Thailand will welcome 285,000 incentive travellers, which generate Bt23.9 billion in revenue for the country by the end of the fiscal year 2018,” said Chiruit.
“Having these top MLM’s events to take place in Thailand helps to emphasise the country’s position as the destination for global incentive events. They give opportunities for Thailand’s MICE industry to showcase the capability to the events’ |hosts, international delegates, and organisers.”
Incentive events to take place in Thailand this year are: the Herbalife North Asia Extravaganza 2018 with 10,000 attendees, from June 7-10 at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Centre; the 2018 JM Top Incentive Seminar Thailand with 3,500 attendees, from May 6-10 in Pattaya; the Yofoto seminar with 4,000 attendees, from June 4-10 in Bangkok and Pattaya; and the Infinitus seminar with 10,000 attendees, June 6-16 in Bangkok and Pattaya. It is expected that more than 40,000 delegates will join the incentive events in Thailand this year.
