The president of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has said that trade shows are a key platform towards achieving economic growth in the country. This was underlined by news of several high-profile events scheduled to take place later in the year.
Following the lifting of its PCR entry test requirement and greater leniency towards mask-wearing, TCEB president Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya told Exhibition World that he expects a strong sector recovery in the second half of 2022.
With the kick-off of the 10th VNU Exhibitions Asia Pacific, TCEB has taken the opportunity to introduce its new 'Thailand MICE: Meet the Magic' campaign.
“New opportunity for business growth is one key cornerstone in our new brand for Thai MICE industry," said Mr Na Ayuthaya. "It is a result of more investment in the strategic industries set out in the Thai government’s policies.
"Now that Thailand and the region are reopened, TCEB has set its sights on using meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) for international business recovery and maximisation of new opportunities for growth."
Mr Na Ayuthaya went on to say that exhibitions are a key platform for the country to acheive its wider goals. He added: "Exhibitions inevitably our key platform in achieving the [economic] goals. With a respectable profile and solid foundation, VNU can bring robust trade for the economy not only in Thailand but also the region.
"To reinforce the position of our stakeholders, TCEB is expanding facilitation services, advocating sustainability, grooming exhibitions in new MICE cities and strengthening ties with industrial sectors; [This will be] a springboard for enhanced business in the region will become a key trademark of exhibitions in Thailand.”
Trade shows return to Thailand’s show floor
The last two years have seen VNU adopt a virtual and hybrid model during the peak of Thailand’s Covid-19 restrictions. This included digital activities, such as visual exhibitions and a webinar series.
In Q2, VNU reintroduced in-person shows having hosted joint agricultural trade shows Agritechnica Asia and Horti Asia alongside DLG International on 25 – 27 May. The shows attracted 8,326 delegates from 59 countries.
Despite the return to in-person generally, Agritechnica Asia and Horti Asia maintained a hybrid format. Over the shows’ three days, 4,326 delegates joined in-person while 2,881 participated online.
New calendar includes show debuts
VNU’s exhibition calendar has updated to reflect its Q3 and Q4 shows, including an announcement that several familiar brands on their exhibition portfolio, including Thailand LAB International and Bio Asia Pacific, will be held in September.
Additionally, several postponed trade shows are set to debut in the same month, including Health and Nutrition Asia by VIV and Byond Mobile. In October, Pet Fair South East Asia will launch in Bangkok. VNU’s show continue into November, following ILDEX Indonesia and Aquatica Asia.
