The third edition of the TCEB-run competition will see three finalists present working prototypes on 18 November, with a top prize of US$12,795.
The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has announced
details of its annual 'Thailand MICE Startup' Competition, in line with
ongoing initiatives to encourage MICE businesses to integrate innovation
into their daily operations.
Supported by Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA), Digital
Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), and the National Science and Technology
Development Agency (NSTDA), the plan is to pair startups or tech
entrepreneurs with MICE entrepreneurs, to design creative solutions
aimed at boosting Thailand's post-Covid-19 competitiveness in the MICE
sector.
Following 23 applicants, TCEB has narrowed the selection to five
teams for the final round, which will see finalists present a working
prototype on 18 November. Winners stand to receive cash prizes of
400,000 baht (US$12,795), 200,000 baht, and 100,000 baht respectively.
TCEB hopes to find solutions that will address pain points caused by pandemic, says president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya."We are excited to see the works of several teams. They have been
trying hard to find solutions to a variety of pain points particularly
those resulting from COVID-19," said TCEB's president, Chiruit
Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.
Apart from "pain points" that have arisen as Thailand's event
organisers shift to the unfamiliar hybrid territory, recurring
challenges remain, such as crowd management and tracking delegate
engagement, and adapting to functionalities such as ride-sharing to
minimise congestion on the way to events.
Working off today's challenges, judging criteria include
return-on-investment for MICE entrepreneurs, impact on the MICE
industry, effectiveness in addressing new normal challenges, ability to
foster collaboration between MICE entrepreneurs and startups, and other
practical considerations.
Into its third edition, the competition has proved more vital than
ever in the face of the persistent pandemic. Nevertheless, the Kingdom's
business events economy remains resilient. THAIFEX–Anuga Asia 2020 for
instance, was one of Asia's first major exhibitions to be held after the
lifting of some Covid-19 health and safety restrictions, albeit at half
of 2019's attendee figures.