May 2019

The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)-Business is strengthening the position of its Thailand National Pavilion as a more effective marketing tool, for showcasing Thai culture and creative possibilities of MICE events in the Kingdom.

This new design strongly conveys a unique Thai identity under its “New Dawn” concept based on Thai temple architecture. The pavilion serves as a business hub at five major international trade shows such as ITCM China 2019, IMEX Frankfurt 2019, IT&CMA and CTW 2019, IMEX America 2019 and IBTM World 2019.

“The new Thailand National Pavilion provides an icon brand identity for TCEB, Thai suppliers and TCEB’s partners. Visually it immediately raises awareness, both with overseas buyers and show delegates, of Thailand’s presence that is backed up by legendary Thai hospitality,” said Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB’s senior vice president–business.

According to the senior vice president-business, the annual marketing events produce on average a minimum of 38 to 40 business leads. Business at the Thailand National Pavilion at the five most recent trade shows of IMEX Frankfurt 2018, IMEX America 2018, IBTM World 2018, AIME 2019 and ITCM China 2019, has been brisk, producing a minimum of 10 meeting and incentive groups comprising 2,348 delegates. These generated revenue of over THB 180 million (approximately USD 5.62 million) for the Thai economy, based on leads of TCEB only.

During ITCM China 2019 in Shanghai, a featured Muay Thai demonstration bout and interactive discussion after, proved popular with Chinese delegates. It helped secure two confirmed groups from China’s cosmetic and manufacturing sectors that produced 800 delegates and generated revenue of THB 60.90 million.

Recently TCEB and local Thai partners in each MICE cities around Thailand comprising of Bangkok, Chiang Mai, Phuket, Khon Kae and Pattaya developed new themes to give local partners unique selling points that appeal to overseas buyers.

This year is the debut of “Thailand 7 MICE Magnificent Themes”  that is: Fascinating History and Culture; Exhilarating Adventures; Treasured Team Building; CSR and Green Meetings; Beach bliss; Lavish Luxury; and Culinary Journeys from all five MICE cities.

Lighting fixtures are being installed throughout the Harbour City in preparation for the upcoming launch of Vivid Sydney on May 24 – the largest festival of light, music and ideas in the Southern Hemisphere.

Artists and event staff are working on the transport and final assembly of the 50+ light features and projections from today.

Details have been revealed of Samsung’s Electric Playground, a technology-enabled playground celebrating light, sound and imagination and the Samsung Galaxy Studio.

Both immersive, interactive spaces use advanced mobile technology to enhance the Vivid Sydney experience for festival guests of all ages, allowing them to explore their inner child.

Guests are encouraged to explore some of the unique aspects of the festival such as Vivid Music, Vivid Ideas events and the ever-popular Light Walk.

“Vivid Sydney is a truly significant event for NSW. The economic impact of last year’s event was almost $173 million in tourism related spending from 2.25 million attendees across the 23 days. Last year Vivid Sydney saw a record 185,887 travel packages sold to domestic and international visitors which was a 37 per cent increase on 2017,” said Stuart Ayres, minister of tourism.

He further mentioned that the interest in Vivid Sydney has grown at an exponential rate. In 2011, there were less than 500,000 attendees and the NSW Liberal Government has facilitated a 370 per cent rise in visitors to the festival.

Also in 2011 Vivid Sydney generated AUD6 million for the NSW economy and last year this was AUD173 million which was a huge growth and a big boost for the local economy.

Vivid Sydney will run from May 24 to June 15 throughout Sydney.

vividsydney.com 

Image entitled Vivid Light 2019 – Austral Floral Ballet is an artist impression by Andrew Thomas Huang & Bemo.

One of the world’s leading trade fair companies, Messe Berlin has announced it will be organising the inaugural MICE Show Asia 2019 in Singapore. The three-day business-to-business travel trade show, will take place from October 16 to 18 at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre of Marina Bay Sands. MICE Show Asia is under ITB Asia’s umbrella of events.

The new show will shine a spotlight on Asia’s meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) sector. It will be a gathering of professionals from incentive travel and the meetings and events industries coming together to discuss the latest trends, hear from up-and-coming MICE innovators and network with suppliers.

Participants for the show will consist of: 47 percent from MICE Agencies; 26 percent from corporate such as meetings and incentive planners; and 15 percent professional conference and exhibition organisers. On representation of attendees, nine percent will be from association buyers with three percent independent planners.

It is expected that over 60 percent of MICE buyers at the show, are from Asia-pacific (APAC) countries.

“The MICE sector in APAC continues to thrive, with the region expected to witness the highest growth rate in the next five years. After successfully organising ITB Asia for 12 years, we noticed the fast-growing demand for the MICE and corporate travel segments,” said Katrina Leung, managing Ddrector of Messe Berlin (Singapore), organiser of MICE Show Asia.

She further commented: “MICE Show Asia 2019 seeks to capture this growing demand and I am confident participants will gain the highest value at this show.”

According to a forecast published by Allied Market Research on the global MICE market, Asia-Pacific is expected to witness the highest growth rate of 8.6 percent through to 2023. Expanding demand particularly in Singapore, China, and India, alongside market drivers such as ease of visa restrictions, investments in better infrastructure, and high demand in commercial aviation are fuelling the upward trend.

MICE Show Asia 2019 will also have a stellar line-up of speakers from top-tier brands. Some of the topics discussed at the travel trade show include 2020 forecasts for the global meeting and events industries, the digital transformation of the meeting and events industries, and the innovative use of technology to captivate event-attendees.

Messe Berlin is working with prominent trade partners such as the United Networks of International Corporate Event Organizers (UNICEO) and Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) to enrich the conference content and bring buyers onboard.

www.miceshowasia.com/

The Cambodia, Laos,Myanmar and Vietnam (CLMV) road show generated nearly 70 new leads, valued at about THB 400 million (approximately US$ 12.5 million) in revenue, on business events originating from Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam between January and March this year.

Leads were from the ‘Fly and Meet Double Bonus – Redefined’ and ‘ASEAN+6 Visitor Privilege’ campaigns.

Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB’s senior vice president-business, said: “Leads from the Cambodia, Myanmar and Vietnam road show events have exceeded our expectations in terms of leads and now the real work begins converting those leads into business.

“We are pleased to see results from our “Fly and Meet Double Bonus – Redefined” and “ASEAN+6 Visitor Privilege” campaigns. The response from CLMV countries has been very gratifying and gives us something to build on,” she added.

Left: Nichapa Yoswee, TCEB’s Senior Vice President-Business at Thailand MICE Road Show 2019 in Hanoi, Vietnam.

In total meeting and incentive (MI) leads from Cambodia totalled 13 groups with 1,681 participants from the beverage, pharmaceutical, insurance and direct selling industries, with an estimated revenue of THB 122 million.

MI leads from Myanmar totalled six groups with 580 participants from medical and agricultural industries, valued at about THB 42 million in revenue. While from Vietnam, MI leads totalled 28 groups with 2,810 participants from the pharmaceutical, medical, banking and media sectors, valued at an estimated THB 203 million in revenue.

For exhibition (E), leads from Myanmar totalled seven groups, each with at least 10 trade visitors, with an estimated of THB 5.46 million in revenue. They have signed up for business negotiations at international exhibitions organised in Thailand, in the medical and pharmaceutical, food processing and packaging, retails, logistics, sport and tourism industries.

Vietnam leads totalled 15 groups with 250 participants for food and agriculture, construction, infrastructure, health and wellness, retails, lifestyle and automotive trade exhibitions estimated revenue of THB 20 million.

‘Fly and Meet Double Bonus – Redefined’ campaign is in partnership with Bangkok Airways. The benefits of this campaign include: financial support; fast-track immigration; service at Suvarnabhumi airport; cultural performances; meet-and-greet services; one free air ticket of every 30 tickets purchased; pre-assign group seating; priority boarding and; extra baggage allowances.

To qualify, each group must comprise at least 30 persons, fly to Thailand on Bangkok Airways, stay for at least two nights, or hold an event at a venue recognised by the Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) or at a registered hotel. Application is open from now until 31 August 2019, with travel completed by 30 September 2019.

The ‘ASEAN+6 Visitor Privilege’ campaign targets Business Mission Organisers (BMO) including chambers of commerce, federations, trade associations, industrial publications and non-profit organisations seeking, to enhance their member’s business opportunities through trade shows.

In order to qualify for the campaign, there must have at least 10 persons in the delegation and hailing from the ASEAN+6 countries of Brunei, Cambodia, Indonesia and Laos, Malaysia, Myanmar, Singapore, Philippines, Vietnam, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Taiwan, Japan, Korea, India, Australia and New Zealand. At the same time, must commit to three meetings per person or, a total of thirty meetings across the group.