Conference & Meetings World Issue 118 | Page 35

Thailand

‘ No road is too long with good company ’

OLIVER THOMAS , CMW INTERNATIONAL REPORTER , TAKES A LOOK AT THE TECHNOLOGICAL INNOVATION AND EXPANDING MICE SECTORS THAT ARE DRIVING FORWARD AMBITIOUS GROWTH IN THAILAND

A s global markets emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic and return to international events at their own pace , each are taking personalised paths towards their vision of the MICE industry . In the Southeast Asian state of Thailand , a phased return of international travellers has been matched by plans to target technological innovation and the expansion of strategically selected sectors and geographic markets .

During the 2022 MICE Familiarisation Trip , organised by the Thailand Conference and Exhibition Bureau ( TCEB ), CMW witnessed first-hand the steps that are being taken to grow the country ’ s MICE credentials .
Thailand ’ s government has set out a four-month transition plan , which aims for the country to be in an endemic state by 1 July 2022 . With its current MICE infrastructure , wide ranging ambition for post-Covid-19 growth and an exuberant cultural identity , Thailand is emerging from the pandemic as a treasure for the international event organisers ’ community to keep their eyes on .
Winnovation Thailand is looking to the future . Harnessing technology is at the heart of Thailand ’ s MICE strategy .
“ We believe that technology will be a game changer ,” Nichapa Yoswee , senior vice-president of TCEB , told CMW . “ In fact , the world has been entering into the fourth industrial revolution ( 4.0 ), where the digital economy is everything . Covid-19 is just a tool that has accelerated the entrance into this revolution .”
Above : Bangkok skyline
“ We believe that technology will be a game changer .”
Nichapa Yoswee
TCEB wants to ensure that Thailand can be at the crest of this global technological wave , which it believes the MICE industry should be fully integrated within .
In 2021 , TCEB launched ‘ MICE Winnovation ’, a programme that aims to match entrepreneurs with tech start-ups who can produce innovative solutions to event organisers ’ problems .
The programme is split into four initiatives :
1 . MICE Innovation catalogue – Online directory of tech entrepreneurs
2 . Technomart – Business opportunity platform to showcase products and services
3 . Inno-Voucher – Innovation coupon to seek funding from TCEB
4 . Digital literacy of MICE – Online or offline workshops to exchange MICE digital knowledge .
Through this programme , Thailand hopes to attract and support organisers in producing events that are at the vanguard of global MICE innovation .
MICE … the expanding frontiers Thailand has a strong ambition in the post pandemic environment to look at 2022 as an opportunity to expand its MICE frontiers .
Currently , Thailand has a strong foothold in the medical events marketplace . Yoswee confirmed that “ medical conventions rank number one in terms of the sectors with the highest number of conventions taking place in Thailand .”
Thailand has an excellent medical infrastructure that provides organisers the expertise and infrastructure to produce effective international events . As of 2021 , Thailand was placed 5th in the Global Health Security Index , indicating Thailand ’ s comparative international strength in this field .
Nondh Ninsanondh , managing director of Wild Blue , an international medical event organising company ,
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