Thailand is ready to stage global trade shows, with TCEB President Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya pointing to a host of measures, including Covid-free protocols, easing of quarantine rules, as well as a speedy vaccination rollout.
Thailand reopened to 63 countries on 1 November, with this list set
to expand in December and again in January — and the Kingdom's business
events sector is already bearing fruit from the news.
According to the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), 70
new international trade shows are in the pipeline until 2022.
With Covid-free protocols firmly in place, and "the easing of
quarantine rules and pandemic control measures, [as well as] speedy
vaccination rollout, it is a great opportunity for TCEB to signal to
international organisers that Thailand is ready to stage global trade
shows from November 2021 onwards," read an official statement.
In the lead-up to Thailand's international border reopening, TCEB had
been working with local industry stakeholders to prepare for the 'new
normal'.
In September, the bureau announced its three-pronged MICE strategy
for 2022, focusing on developing and up-skilling the sector towards more
prominent hosting opportunities.
One example is the 'EO: Pro LEAGUE' launched in the same month — an
incubation programme aimed at preparing exhibition organisers for future
collaborations with international show organisers staging events in the
Kingdom.
As well, from 3-4 November, 26 qualified convention bid agents
attended a training programme — the third in a series — by TCEB in
collaboration with the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association
(TICA), backed by IAPCO (International Association of Professional
Congress Organisers).
The hybrid event held at Bangkok Marriott Marquis Queen's Park
followed June's Reflection Session, and July's Beginner and Intermediate
Session, as TCEB sought to "equip Thailand's bidding team with proper
tools to hunt for important and strategic bids, grow the number of bid
submissions and, ultimately, increase the chance to win more bids for
the country," read a post on the bureau's Facebook page.
With the proliferation of digital event experiences, Thailand has
also been busy hosting virtual editions of major trade shows including
SUBCON Thailand, Medlab Asia and Asia Health, Thaifex, V-Connect Asia,
LED Expo Thailand – Smartech ASEAN, and Building Construction Technology
Expo.
"Through our active collaboration with state and private entities,
Thailand now reopens for exhibition organisers to restart business. We
warmly welcome you all for unlimited opportunities and the next chapter
of success," said TCEB President, Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya.