TCEB launches 2017 THAILAND CONNECT campaign: “Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success”

IMEX Las Vegas, 18 October 2016: The Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Bureau has launched its latest and most ambitious global communication campaign, entitled “Thailand CONNECT Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success” aiming to attract more MICE industry events from North America to Thailand. The campaign is being launched at IMEX AMERICA 2016 to international MICE delegates and media representatives from all over the world.

The 2017 brand communication campaign builds on the success of last year’s campaign: “Thailand CONNECT….Our Heart Your World”, and aims to further strengthen recognition among the international business community of Thailand’s status as a premier MICE destination at the HEART of ASEAN and a leading global MICE destination with unsurpassed standards of service, venues, facilities and leisure opportunities.

Commenting on the campaign, Mrs. Supawan Teerarat, TCEB’s Vice President for Strategic and Business Development, said, “TCEB is delighted once again to be here at IMEX here in Las Vegas. North America’s MICE market is important to Thailand. Last year Thailand welcome 1,095,995 business events travellers were attracted by Thailand’s endless choice of vibrant business destinations, global standards of service, and diverse business opportunities, generating revenue of 95,857 million baht (US$ 2,750 million). Of these 47,360 American MICE visitors to Thailand, generating revenues of Baht 4,600 million (US$ 133 million) placing North America in the Thailand’s top 10 source markets. This looks set to be matched this year. During the first 9 months of 2016, Thailand has already welcomed 33,211 American MICE visitors, generating revenues of 2,900 million baht (US$ 83 million). We are launching TCEB’s latest Thailand CONNECT campaign here at IMEX to build awareness of the diverse opportunities, world-class standards and cost-effectiveness of Thailand as a global MICE destination.

“The campaign is in line with the Thai government’s strategic direction to promote Thailand’s MICE industry as a pillar of the national economy. Business events travellers can choose from many unique destinations in Thailand, each blessed with their own distinct charm and opportunity. You can tap into a myriad business opportunities with government support, world-class accommodation and infrastructure, as well as experienced, adaptable event professionals, and the legendary Thai hospitality.”

“The Thailand CONNECT Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success continues to build on the strong legacy of the three fundamental pillars of Thailand’s MICE industry including (1) Destinations (2) Business and (3) People, by showcasing all three elements.”

Mrs. Supawan also announced that Thailand has won its bid to host the “PCMA Global Professionals Conference, Asia Pacific 2017”, to be held from 28-31 August 2017 in Bangkok. The Professional Convention Management Association (PCMA) is a non-profit organization representing the global convention industry, with the majority of its 6,500 members based in North America. Next year’s flagship global PCMA event will highlight the readiness and potential of Thailand as a global convention hub for the industry.

Commenting on the selection of Thailand as the designated host country for PCMA 2017, Mr. Sherrif Karamat, PCMA’s Chief Operating Officer, said, “We are thrilled to partner with the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau for the 2017 PCMA Global Professionals Conference – APAC event. PCMA strives to inspire, connect and innovate the business event community globally; bringing this intimate educational program to Bangkok is of strategic importance for our participants. With world-class venues supporting a thriving economy, Thailand is a leader in state of the art service attracting business events from all over the world.”

In 2017 Thailand expects to welcome a total of 1,109,000 business events travelers, earning more than 101,000 million baht (US$ 2,900 million). Thailand continues to successfully attract major business events to the country; in 2017 Thailand will host flagship events including the 10th International Petroleum Technology Conference with 2,500 delegates; the 10th International Convention of Asia Scholars (ICAS) with 2,000 delegates; VIV Asia 2017 with 30,000 delegates; Bangkok Entertainment Week 2017 with 700,000 participants and many more.

Visitors to IMEX AMERICA 2016 can learn more about Thailand’s campaign and special promotions at pavilion number 2240, while meeting a range of Thailand’s leading business events entrepreneurs – from hotels to venues, destination management companies to airlines. Thailand also welcome our participants with a country presentation, an incredible experiences such as painting umbrella, and watching Thailand 360º virtual reality video. Thailand Café also welcomes IMEX participants for networking under the ambience of Thailand’s new branding visibility along with mobile charger to facilitate all delegates at the event.

                      Thai Boxing Show

        Date                 Time

18 Oct 2016 11.00 14.00 16.00 16.30

19 Oct 2016 11.00 13.30 15.00 16.30

20 Oct 2016 10.30 12.00 14.00 16.00

TCEB Cocktail Reception on 18 Oct 2016 at Thailand Pavilion number 2240

THAILAND CONNECT campaign: “Your Vibrant Journey to Business Success”

The three key pillars of Thailand’s MICE industry include:

1.DESTINATIONS OF THAILAND: Thailand differentiates itself from other business destinations through its many alternative venues linked by continued expansion of logistics and infrastructure. We can customise whatever you require to raise your journey to the level of ‘Bleisure’ – the holistic balance of ‘business’ achievement combined with entertaining ‘leisure’.

1.1 Strategic Location: Thailand is a perfect stop for bleisure trips (business + leisure). Located at the crossroads of Asia, Thailand is the perfect gateway to Asia and the hub for ASEAN. Thailand also serves as the gateway to the fast-growing Greater Mekong Sub-region, making it a perfect starting point for both business and leisure travel.

1.2 Logistics Excellence: More Travel Routes, More Dynamic Possibilities: Thailand’s excellent logistics and transportation systems offer MICE travellers flexibility, choice and cost-effectiveness.

1.3 Diversity of Destinations & Experiences: Colour Your Business Journey : MICE travelers can enjoy tailor-made creative meeting themes that can transform any venue. Thailand’s skilled creative professionals will exceed your expectations in event design and management, for example including events themed around Thailand’s fascinating history and cultural legacy, team building, outdoor adventures, CSR and green meetings, lavish luxury events, culinary journeys, or beach bliss.

2. BUSINESS IN THAILAND: Resourceful Thailand offers essential collaborations for international opportunities: Key strengths include the following:

2.1 Bright Future Ahead: Strongly prioritized by Government policy, Thailand’s MICE industry is investing in further long-term sustainable growth. Business event travelers can be confident that Thailand can serve as the ideal venue for their MICE events, and a springboard for their business success.

2.2 Innovative Borderless Connectivity: Thailand’s fast-growing ‘digital ecosystem’ is transforming the industry, bringing new services and quality standards, from digital infrastructure, services and e-economy, paving the way for innovation and borderless connectivity.

2.3 The Heart of Energetic Collaboration: Trusted as the regional headquarters for several leading global corporations such as Google, Line, Alibaba, Honda, Ford, Chevron and many more.

3. PEOPLE OF THAILAND: Meet passionate professionals with a touch of Thai vibrancy

3.1 Captivating Support: Leads to Success: Thai hospitality starts at the very first step of your arrival, with Premium Lane service at Suvarnabhumi Airport. Throughout your trip, you will find helpful and professional experts on hand to assist you.

3.2 Going Beyond Standards: Thailand’s highly-trained MICE event professionals make it a breeze to design and organize any kind of MICE event with flair and convenience. We ensure we deliver beyond expectations.

3.3 Access to A New Generation of Business: As the crossroads for young entrepreneurs and start-ups, Thailand is home to a new generation of startups and innovative businesses; the government fosters this creativity with a scheme to provide support and facilities to nurture these start-ups as a transformative force for Thailand’s future.

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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

Ms Titiwanlaya Thaimongkolrat Tel +66 2 694 6103    Email: titiwanlaya_t@tceb.or.th

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

Ms Paniyada Mulalin    Tel +66 2 694 6091    Email: paniyada_m@tceb.or.th