What is the most impressive achievement for your company this year?
Since eight years ago, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has supported other provinces, apart from Bangkok, to become what we call MICE Cities. We have been able to secure the cooperation of Chiang Mai, Phuket, Pattaya and Khon Kaen in the areas of marketing, promotion and development which have enabled them to cater to MICE travellers.
Since then we have been widening the scope of destination development into Area-Based Sections, providing budget, manpower, promotion and development plans for other potential provinces such as Hat Yai, Chiang Rai and Udon Thani to upgrade their facilities, services and venue standards under the TCEB-initiated Thailand MICE Venue Standard.
It is often said that an organisation is only as strong as its people. What investments have your company made in talent development this year?
We have partnered SEAC (Southeast Asia Center), one of the leading human resources development agencies in Asia, to introduce their YourNextU programme for TCEB’s manpower. The focus of the programme is the development of mindsets and skillsets which is important for staff at every level. Business management, digital marketing, data analysis and AI are core knowledge areas we are concentrating on.
What can your trade partners and customers look forward to in doing business with you in 2020?
We value our clients’ needs and are aware of their shifting demands, always looking for new, innovative, refreshing, exclusive and once-in-a-lifetime experiences.
One particular area we are focusing on is sustainability. This year, 2019, will be the first year we are transforming sustainable practices, which we have been introducing to the industry for the past five years, into one criterion in providing support to MICE groups.
Our aim is to be a leader in proving that business events, a usually large consumer of resources, can generate positive economic and social impacts through their sustainable practices.
Credits to Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau