TCEB ORGANISES ‘THAILAND CONNECT THE WORLD: LONDON BUSINESS EVENTS ROAD SHOW 2014

London, 26 November 2014 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is today staging the annual business events road show to promote Thailand’s MICE industry and introducing the new ‘Thailand CONNECT The World’ brand communications campaign for the 2015 fiscal year in the UK and European markets.

The ‘Thailand CONNECT the World: London Business Events Road Show 2014’ connects more than 150 of buyers, suppliers, international media and industry experts together in a series of concurrent events, which consists of an international press conference and Thailand’s MICE showcases held separately in the afternoon, followed by a welcome reception full of memorable Thai experiences in the evening.

Mr. Nadhavathna Krishnamra, Chargé d' Affaires a.i., the Royal Thai Embassy, London, United Kingdom is graciously lending his support as the guest speaker during the press conference and the guest of honour during the welcome reception. Representatives from the Team Thailand in the UK, including the Tourism Authority of Thailand / Thai Airways International / Department of International Trade Promotion, Ministry of Commerce are also presenting at the event, along with Thai brands including Singha Beer, Chang Beer, Monsoon Valley, CP, Mae Pranom, Chadha Oriental, Maming Impex, Janjira Spa, Amiika Spa, Sranrom Spa and Thang Tho Ltd.

Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, VICE President Strategic and Business Development of TCEB revealed that, “The strategic direction to promote Thailand’s MICE industry is in response to the government policy of reinforcing international confidence in Thailand, and especially boosting the vibrancy of the country’s MICE industry, which helps connect business events to global success. For 2015, TCEB has developed the ‘Thailand CONNECT The World: Global Businesses and Local Experts Link to Boost Business Events Success’ brand communications campaign, building on Thailand’s 2014 brand campaign.”

“The Thailand CONNECT the World: London Business Events Road Show 2014 along with the announcement of the ‘Thailand CONNECT The World’ brand communications campaign and other market development initiatives will help to boost confidence in Thailand among the international business community, especially in high potential long-haul source market such as the UK and European markets. It will also reinforce our strong capabilities proposition as a vital link between global businesses and local experts to boost business events success, and propel the prosperity of the global economy in a sustainable way,” Mrs. Supawan added.

Made available at this Thailand CONNECT the World: London Business Events Road Show 2014 is the Meeting Bonus financial subsidy campaign, especially for long haul markets including the UK and European markets, the organisers of four nights in Thailand will be eligible for the financial support of approximately £1,800 or €2,300.

The UK and European markets are the top 10 source market contributing to the vibrancy of Thailand’s business events industry. The number of UK business events travellers to Thailand rose 84% to 15,262 in first three quarter of 2014 fiscal year, compared to same period of 2013 fiscal year. Over the same period, business events revenues were up 108% to £31 million or €38.79 million. The number of European mainland business events travellers to Thailand rose by 5% to reach 83,157 in Q1-3 of 2014, compared to same period 2013. Revenues have risen 8% to £156.7 million or € 195.9 million. Thailand expects to attract over one million business events travellers, earning the Thai economy more than £2.13 billion or €2.67 billion in 2015.

Reiterating its leadership position as a premiere business events destination in Asia, Thailand will host a myriad of industry events in the latter part of 2014 and throughout 2015, including Unicity Global Convention 2014, WorldVentures 2014, FDI Annual World Dental Congress 2015, and One Young World Summit 2015 and more. Also Thailand has track records of delivering successful trade shows and exhibitions such as INTERMACH, Propak Asia, Metalex, and IT&CMA and CTW Asia Pacific. Moreover, TCEB recently won new bids to host the Harmony World Puppet Carnival Bangkok 2014, International Balloon Festival 2015 and Sustainable Brand Event 2015.

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For more 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

Mr Pishnu Plaikaew Tel: +66 2 694 6000 Email: pishnu_p@tceb.or.th

Ms Kanokwan Kadeedang Tel: +66 2 694 6006 Email: Kanokwan_k@tceb.or.th

Ms Kwanchanok Otton Tel: +66 2 694 6096 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th