Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Name	Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
Type	Statutory agency
Founded	2002
Headquarters	Bangkok
Area served	Thailand
Parent organization	Ministry of Tourism and Sports

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau is a statutory body established to promote Bangkok and other Thai provinces as destinations for international meetings, incentives, conferences, exhibitions, and trade shows. It operates within the framework of national policy set by the Ministry of Tourism and Sports and interacts with regional authorities such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration and provincial offices like the Chiang Mai Province, Phuket Province, and Khon Kaen Province administrations. The bureau coordinates with industry partners including the Thai Hotels Association, Thai Exhibition Association, and private operators such as IMPACT Exhibition Center and Queen Sirikit National Convention Center.

History

The bureau was created in 2002 in response to shifts in the global exhibition industry landscape and competitive pressures from regional rivals like Singapore Expo, Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, Hong Kong Convention and Exhibition Centre, and Jakarta International Expo. Its founding aligned with initiatives driven by the Office of the Prime Minister and policy frameworks advanced during administrations involving figures such as Thaksin Shinawatra and later governments. Early collaborations included partnerships with the World Trade Organization and event organizers from Japan External Trade Organization, UFI (Global Association of the Exhibition Industry), and International Congress and Convention Association. Over time the bureau expanded activities beyond Bangkok to secondary cities including Pattaya, Hua Hin, Chiang Rai, Udon Thani, and Songkhla, while responding to crises like the 2004 Indian Ocean earthquake and tsunami and the COVID-19 pandemic by adapting policy measures and support programs.

Organization and Governance

The bureau is organized under a statutory framework tied to the Ministry of Tourism and Sports with oversight from a board comprising representatives from public agencies such as the Ministry of Commerce, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and the Board of Investment of Thailand, alongside private sector delegates from groups like the Thai Chamber of Commerce, Federation of Thai Industries, and the Tourism Authority of Thailand. Executive leadership coordinates with national institutions including the Ministry of Finance and municipal authorities such as the Bangkok Metropolitan Administration. Governance mechanisms create links to academic partners like Chulalongkorn University, Thammasat University, and Mahidol University for research, and to regulatory bodies including the Department of Business Development and the Customs Department for trade facilitation.

Functions and Services

Core functions include destination marketing in collaboration with the Tourism Authority of Thailand, bid support for international congresses such as World Congress on Internal Medicine and International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry events, and incentive programs for meetings organized by groups like the International Monetary Fund and the Asian Development Bank. Services encompass convention bidding assistance, venue sourcing at facilities like Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, Impact Muang Thong Thani, and Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition Centre, logistical support tied to Suvarnabhumi Airport operations, and liaison with hospitality providers such as the Thai Hotels Association. It provides capacity-building through workshops run with UFI, ICCA, and AIPC (International Association of Convention Centres) and offers grants, tax incentives, and promotional funding linked to agencies like the Board of Investment of Thailand.

Major Events and Initiatives

The bureau has supported and attracted events including regional forums such as the ASEAN Summit, industry gatherings like THAIFEX–Anuga Asia, scientific congresses hosted by organizations such as the World Health Organization and the International Society for Clinical Electrophysiology of Vision, and trade shows such as Bangkok International Motor Show and Bangkok International Fashion Week. Initiatives include campaigns aligned with Amazing Thailand branding, sustainability programs following standards promoted by Global Sustainable Tourism Council, digital transformation projects in partnership with National Electronics and Computer Technology Center and Digital Economy Promotion Agency, and talent development programs with vocational colleges and institutions like Rajamangala University of Technology.

Economic Impact and Performance

Meetings, incentives, conferences, and exhibitions supported by the bureau contribute to sectors connected to the Ministry of Commerce and generate downstream demand affecting the Thai Baht-denominated tourism receipts, hotel occupancy statistics tracked by the Thai Hotels Association, and air passenger flows monitored by Airports of Thailand Public Company Limited. Analyses from bodies including the Bank of Thailand, Office of the National Economic and Social Development Council, and research units at Chulalongkorn University indicate measurable contributions to employment in hospitality clusters and tax revenues overseen by the Revenue Department. Performance metrics use indicators from international organizations such as UNWTO and benchmarking against venues like Singapore Expo and Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre to evaluate return on investment for inbound MICE delegates.

Partnerships and International Relations

The bureau maintains partnerships with global associations including UFI, ICCA, AIPC, and bilateral relations with national tourism boards such as the Japan National Tourism Organization, Korea Tourism Organization, Tourism Australia, and the European Travel Commission. It works with multilateral institutions like the World Bank and Asian Development Bank on capacity-building projects and disaster resilience for events, and coordinates with foreign missions including the Royal Thai Embassies and consulates in target markets like China, India, United States, and United Kingdom to secure delegates. Collaborations extend to private sector companies such as Hyatt Hotels Corporation, Marriott International, AccorHotels, and exhibition organizers like Reed Exhibitions and Informa Markets.

Category:Organizations based in Bangkok Category:Tourism in Thailand