Wednesday, January 13, 2016
In response to the government policy on the National Strategy and Development Plan, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has moved forward to develop Thailand’s service sector by enhancing the country’s exhibition’s industry competitiveness and reinforcing the industry as the vital platform to expand trade and investment nationwide.
TCEB has won the bid to host “UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016” which will take place in Chiang Mai from 25-26 February 2016. The aim of hosting this regional event is to showcase the capabilities of local exhibition professionals and to underline Chiang Mai as a gateway to GMS market.
Mr. Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, the President of TCEB comments, “To host this UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 in Chiang Mai will showcase the capabilities of our destination and the efficiency and competitiveness of the local exhibition professionals. As part of the service sector, Business Events is the crucial sector that drives growth to the national economy. The service sector, today, is ranked the highest value to the country’s GDP and is liberalized under the AFAS or ASEAN Frameworks Agreement on Service. Therefore, the exhibition industry will not only sustain the growth of the country’s trade and investment, but it further expands trade and investment to the country’s regional area.”
TCEB has set its strategies to bolster Thailand’s exhibition industry by aligning with the government policy to promote the service sector as well as spread trade and investment to the region. According to the strategy, the bureau will foster the exhibition and trade fairs as the platform to reinforce trade and investment in potential cities such as Chiang Mai, Phuket, Songkla, Khon Kaen. This is to drive Thailand towards becoming a high-income country with a fair income distribution and a centre of trade and services in the region (Trading and Service Nation).
“Chiang Mai is not only one of the bureau’s appointed five MICE Cities, but it is also the hub of trade and investment of the northern region as well as a gateway to GMS market. In 2010, TCEB hosted the UFI Open Seminar in Asia in Bangkok and obtained a great success. TCEB, thus, strives to conduct this significant regional event again in 2016 in response to the government policy and reinforce the key parties in Chiang Mai including business professionals, trade association, to forge the exhibition and trade fairs as the platform to reinforce trade and investment in the province and the region,” Mr. Nopparat said.
Mr. Mark Cochrane, Regional Manager, Asia Pacific, UFI commented, “Thailand’s exhibition industry has grown steadily, well ahead of the Asian average over the past five years. The ASEAN trade fair industry will serve to bolster the economic growth of Thailand and Southeast Asia. We are pleased to bring this important event, UFI’s second largest event, to Chiang Mai since this city shows strong potential to mature into an important trade fair market serving Thailand as well as neighbouring markets.”
The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 will be held between the 25-26 February 2016 in Chiang Mai under the topic of “Digital Disruption” which reflects the roles and impact of digital marketing and how it will change business practices in the future for the international exhibition industry. The event features seminars on interesting topic such as The Outlook of ASEAN Exhibition Market, Digital Trends Shaping Events, Assessing the Impact of Digital Disruption, and Mobile Marketing Trend.
Mrs. Prapee Buri, President of the Thai Exhibition Association (TEA) comments on importance of this regional event; “The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 will enhance the efficiency and capability to local professionals which will build to bridge in business connection, link to global standard and share the industry’s knowledge. In addition, to host this regional event in Chiang Mai will recognize for its continual development and sustainable growth of the country’s service sectors. Those of interested TEA member should further direct contact the TEA for special support and subsidy.”
The UFI Open Seminar in Asia 2016 event will underline the capability and competitiveness of Chiang Mai to host international business events and trade fairs as well as further broaden trade and investment nationwide following the government policy. In addition, this regional event will build in bridge the global business connection to the local professional and reinforce Thailand’s image and reputation as a hub of ASEAN trade fair and exhibition industry and one of the leading destinations in Asia,” Nopparat concludes.
Lastly, TCEB expects 5% growth of business events in 2016, and Thailand is expected to host 1,060,000 international business travellers, generating a total of 92 billion baht. Within this number, the exhibition industry will share 17% or welcome around 191,000 international exhibition delegates with 15.65 billion baht in accounted.
Source:- TCEB
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