TCEB's MICE Sustainability Forum 2016 Shines Light on UN's Sustainable Development Goals Among MICE Entrepreneurs

Bangkok, 24 August 2016 - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is moving forward to drive Thailand’s MICE capabilities among MICE entrepreneurs by organising the MICE Sustainability Forum 2016. Bringing together world-class experts and external stakeholders to provide useful insights, industry trends, and emerging demands for business events operators, the event aims to promote a strategic direction for the MICE Industry in line with the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals. The high-level forum also highlights the importance of the MICE Sustainability Programme to strengthen industry-wide activities.

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, President of TCEB revealed that last year the bureau developed Thailand's MICE Sustainable Destination Master Plan (2016 – 2020) to help leverage the country's competitive advantages through partnerships among stakeholders. As part of the plan’s MICE Sustainability Thailand strategic pillar, the MICE Sustainability Forum 2016 is among the key strategies to develop a knowledge-based industry and to further enhance capabilities among MICE operators, while providing an effective platform for knowledge exchange on sustainable MICE practices at an international level, as well as industry networking among MICE entrepreneurs.

By highlighting the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), the ‘MICE Sustainable Forum 2016 : The Big Action!’ will be held on 30 August 2016, at the Cyber World Tower in Bangkok. Building on the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) which concluded in 2015, which encompass the world's shift to a path of economic, social, and environmental inclusivity and sustainability, the SDGs start from 2016 and span 15 years up to 2030, and mark an important milestone for the broader sustainability agenda among the global community, impacting the MICE industry as a whole. As an official government body promoting the development of the Thai MICE industry, TCEB is stepping up its efforts to equip Thai MICE operators with knowledge and capabilities for a sustainable future.

To advance the SDGs to real-life implementation, the MICE Sustainability Forum 2016 brings together world-class experts in the field, and partner organisations including the United Nations Environment Programme (UNEP) and PricewaterHouse Coopers LLP to help provide in depth knowledge for participants such as the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, which includes 17 Sustainable Development Goals, implications for the business sector in Asia-Pacific, and target responses towards sustainable goals from businesses around the world, including the MICE segment.

Unprecedentedly, the MICE Sustainability Forum 2016 also sees a panel of distinguished external industry partners with strong track records on sustainability such as Central Food Retail Limited, Minor Holding (Thai) Limited, SCG Public Company Limited, Thailand Environment Institute Foundation, and Unilever Thai Services Limited gather to share experiences and sustainable practice guidelines during the ‘Big Steps : Becoming Responsible and Sustainable Business’ discussion, which will highlight sustainability requirements from other industries which are also considered target customers for the MICE sector.

Additionally, TCEB's MICE Capabilities Department has also put in place plans to further drive MICE development plans for the rest of 2016, including raising the number of participating partners for the Farm to Functions project, and raising the competitive edge of the Thai MICE industry through support for MICE Sustainability programmes such as zero-carbon footprint MICE events, food waste management and prevention, MICE sustainability report, and ISO 20121 – the Event Sustainability Management System, the development of MICE sustainability content and knowledge for distribution among five MICE Cities and emerging high potential cities, and the MICE sustainability partnership to help position Thailand as a MICE Sustainable Destination in Asia.

"The MICE Sustainability Forum 2016 will help raise confidence among Thai MICE operators to adopt the practices, in accordance with global directions, meeting domestic and international demands and driving sustainable growth for Thailand's MICE industry as a whole." Mr Nopparat concluded.# # #

For further information, please contact: Corporate Communications Division,

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization

Ms Arisara Thanuplang    Tel: +66 2 694 6095    Email: arisara_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang    Tel: + 662 694 6006    Email: kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Titiwanlaya Thaimongkolrat Tel: + 662 694 6103    Email: titiwanlaya_t@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Tel: + 662 694 6091    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th