Convention Day to honour outstanding bidders

The bureau’s 2017 strategic plan was unveiled to promote the conventions sector, which is in line with the government’s “Thailand 4.0” strategies by collaborating with professional associations to bid for major events with a focus on five key industries.
Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of the TCEB, disclosed that as a key growth driver for the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (MICE) industry, the conventions sector generated significant economic benefits for society.
“Since October 2015, Thailand has won bids for 16 conventions with more than 12,000 international delegates, and is targeting revenue generation of more than Bt1 billion,” Nopparat said.
“As a government agency tasked to promote the Thai MICE industry, TCEB has provided support for 90 conventions and association meetings with more than 44,000 international delegates, contributing Bt3.8 billion in revenue to the Thai economy.”
Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, director of the conventions department at the bureau, said Convention Day would be held under a new format this year to showcase the achievements of 16 Thai associations and organisations who bid against other countries for international conferences and received TCEB support.
The winning bids during the 2016 fiscal year will receive honorary pins at Convention Day – The Essence of Fame, which will be held on Monday at the Thewarat Sapharom Hall, Phayathai Palace.
Deputy Prime Minister General Thanasak Patimaprakorn will preside over the event and present the pins to winning associations and organisations that will host medical, veterinary, animal science, education, music, logistics, and tourism conferences.
Convention Day will also highlight a Hall of Fame, exhibiting detailed information of the 16 winning bids and a special keynote “Inspiration for Thai Future” by Montian Boontan, vice president of the Blind Association Thailand, and the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Committee.
Regarding the bureau’s strategic plan to promote the conventions sector, Vichaya said: “The TCEB’s conventions promotion development plan for the 2017 fiscal year is in line with the government’s ‘Thailand 4.0’ economic model, which aims to develop Thailand into a value-based economy and high-income country driven by creativity and innovations.”
“As one of the key focuses in the Thailand 4.0 scheme, the conventions sector will serve as a professional exchange platform that delegates can leverage to develop innovative products and services further, as well as bridge connections that will help reshape future collaboration in Thai society.”
In 2017, the bureau will also emphasise more major conferences and conventions especially in the five focus industries – health and wellness; energy; food and agribusiness; infrastructure and logistics; and automotive and electronics.