With strong support from the Thai Government, a series of action programs have been initiated to reassure MICE operators, including a strong public relations campaign during 2009, promotion and incentive packages, road shows aimed at restoring confidence in Thailand’s capabilities, the TCEB Call Center and a strengthening of the TCEB Crisis Management team.

Moreover, TCEB and the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration recently joined forces with the ambitious goal of promoting Bangkok as “the Exhibition City of ASEAN” throughout the region. This project complements Thailand’s “Year of Investment and Tourism” strategy for 2008-2009.

To emphasize Thailand’s position as Asia’s premier exhibition hub and to uplift local exhibition standard to meet international level, various activities have been implemented.

Pre-event
Through many communication channels both Above and Below the Line such as

• articles in business section of a well-known business newspapers
• billboards
• Exhibition website in which events can be promoted in various sections
• PR Support

At Event
Through visitors and exhibitors facilitation and service on arrivals at Suvannabhumi Airport combining with event promotional materials and visitor promotion subsidy.

Post Event
Up to 70 million baht budget is set as incentives to exhibitions held in Thailand for the campaign ‘TCEB Approved Events’. To receive this certification, the organizers have to pass certain requirements. As for now, 17 exhibitions have been audited and approved.

Thailand has ambitious plans for its trade exhibition industry. The year 2008 saw 166 major international exhibitions held in Bangkok, and 180 shows are already confirmed for 2009. From a total of 185 exhibitions scheduled in 2009, over 230,000 visitors are expected, generating revenues estimated at US$160,000 million. The opening of new venues and additional capacity at existing ones has increased our dedicated exhibition space to 250,000 sq meters, the largest available in ASEAN.