TCEB READY TO POWER UP BUSINESS GROWTH FOR FRANCE TRADE SHOW ORGANIZERS THROUGH STRONG THAILAND EXHIBITION PLATFORM CAPTURING ASEAN Rich business opportunity and government support in focus

Paris, France, April 8, 2014 – Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB conducted a roadshow to Paris to promote Thailand as a promising international exhibitions platform for ASEAN ready to leverage French organizers looking to explore arising business opportunity in emerging region soon to be economically integrated. Attractive business factors and environment including solid government support and incentives were highlighted.

As part of the roadshow agenda, the business forum ‘Thailand…CONNECT, the new horizons & Asia’s new momentum for global business success’ was organized in France’s capital city on April 8. The session significantly put a highlight on growing business opportunities in Thailand on exhibition platform and keys to success of doing business in the country.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, Vice President Strategic and Business Development of TCEB said, “Thailand’s strong exhibition platform is ready to help French organizers capture the full business potential of the fast growing region. As a strategic gateway to ASEAN, Thailand is rich with thriving exhibition industries, significantly transportation, communication and information, energy, education and culture, and tourism which are key prioritized industries of the emerging market of ASEAN. Together with world-class infrastructure and facilities, we look forward to helping exhibition organizers bring out the best of their business presentations, expanding their business network and prosperity.”([1])

“TCEB is committed to support, promote and develop the Thai exhibition industry, leveraging not only the country’s strengths but also benefiting ASEAN region as a whole. The agency aims to serve as not only a facilitator who connects and supports private sector in growing their business network, but also a marketer who helps operators promote their business in target markets, develops marketing campaign while providing comprehensive supports. With this roadshow, we look forward to welcoming and supporting particularly our top French stakeholders fruitfully further.”

Mr. David Bondi, Chief Operating Officer of Informa Exhibitions Asia Pacific who shared the company’s experiences of organizing trade shows in Thailand in the business forum on April 8, stated “Informa sees exhibitions as one of the best ways for our customers to market products, garner intelligence, and debate industry issues and network. The company has begun our trade show journey in Thailand for many years. Through time, the company and our clients have gained significant outcome through Thailand’s international-standard exhibition platform. This reaffirms our trust in keeping our business wheel moving in the country particularly in the time of AEC next year.”([2])

Thailand stands firm with a number of solid industries including print and packaging, jewelry, wellness, and medical and healthcare. The country is also an important manufacturing base of electronics, automobiles and auto parts as well as packaging and jewelry. Thailand is globally recognized as a leading exporter of electronics, machinery and equipment, processed food products, and agriculture significantly rice and rubber.

Thailand is globally ranked 18th on Ease of doing business report in 2014 conducted by the World Bank[3]. Significantly with its strong G2G network with regional government bodies including Vietnam, the Philippines, Laos and Indonesia, Thailand is a strategic partner for any businesses looking to flourish in a pool of 600-million-population community.

Reported by the Union des Foires International (UFI), exhibition industry in Asia has consistently increased by 14% in the last five years, dominated by Southeast Asia with its continuous growth since 2012. According to “The Trade Fair Industry of Asia 9th Edition, 2013” reported by UFI, Thailand’s trade fair industry is the 8th largest trade fair market in Asia, the first ranked in ASEAN in net square meters sold and first in average revenue per fair. Thailand is also the 1st in ASEAN in terms of exhibition space capacity. Thailand has achieved to deliver business opportunities for exhibition operators and business owners from across the globe.

Situated in the heart of Southeast Asia, competitively as a gateway to Greater Mekong Sub-region, Thailand plays a vital role in driving business development of the arising region. Significantly from its exhibition industry, Thailand powers the soon-to-be ASEAN Economic Community with continuous growth in infrastructure and world class facility nationwide. Standing strong with 6 international airports with more than 500 international flights per week to 191 major cities around the world, upcoming high-speed rail network throughout the kingdom and direct access to Kunming – Singapore rail link, cutting-edge technology and telecommunication 3G/4G available nationwide and a stunning number of quality hotel accommodation recognized by global travelers, Thailand confidently looks forward to supporting and co-thriving with French exhibition partners in an era of ASEAN regional business integration.

Committed to be a strategic exhibition partner of French stakeholders in thriving in the arising ASEAN region, TCEB has developed a number of incentive programs for visitors and exhibitors. The programs include Connect Businesses Campaign, the newly launched group visitor campaign which is highly beneficial for ASEAN countries. The campaign is with an objective to incentivize business-oriented leads to attend and do the business matching at international trade shows in Thailand. In case, a trade visitors organizer achieves to welcome a minimum of 10 visitors to Thailand’s trade shows, each of the trade visitor could earn 100 USD achieving 3 business matching meeting.  The eligible bodies that may apply for this program include trade promoters, chamber of commerce, business trade association, overseas industrial publication, overseas non-profit organization, and MICE travel agent. In addition to Thailand’s incentive programs for exhibition stakeholders, Be My Guest is a buyer appreciation program for potential buyer around the globe with complimentary accommodation.

ABOUT TCEB

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) - the government leading edge agency - has been the key to success for a wide range of global & regional business events since 2004. With our key strategic model, Growth Driver; TCEB works as your strategic business partner, delivers creative ideas, and provides solutions from our capable resources for every scale and various customised business events.

TCEB has formed numerous collaborations and networks linked to open up grand new chapters of business opportunities, and to strategically enhance every business success with special care that will spur lasting advancement and achievements. Our goal is to equipping business events industry at national, regional, and global stage for continuous development, long-term growth and sustainable success.

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For more information, please contact

Ms. Siriwan Kamonwichian

Senior Manager Marketing & Support

Exhibition & Events Department

Tel (66) 2 694 6000 Ext. 6038, Email: siriwan_k@tceb.co.th

Mr. Techadhorn Vilaiwan

Marketing and Support Executive

Exhibition & Events Department

Tel (66) 2 694 6000 Ext. 6039, Email: techadhorn_v@tceb.co.th

([1]) TCEB

([2]) Informa

([3]) World Bank, www.doingbusiness.org