Antony Reeve-Crook, Director, ArciMedia Ltd.

The 2019 edition of the UFI Global Congress is just around the corner, once again gathering the world’s exhibition industry in Bangkok for an unparalleled networking opportunity and content from illustrious thought leaders.

This year’s event marks a record for both the association and Bangkok, the fastest ever return to a city in UFI’s 95-year history – and a testament to the city’s appeal as a destination for global tradeshows.

A key driver behind the success of global exhibitions

The theme for this year’s event is ‘Platforms of Trust’, which aims to highlight one of the key drivers behind the success of global exhibitions. The role exhibitions play in bringing companies face-to-face with a multitude of potential suppliers gives our industry a unique value.

Kai Hattendorf, Managing Director and CEO of UFI, the global association of the exhibition industry, said Thailand’s global profile as a hub for international exhibitions has grown significantly in recent years.

“Our latest UFI research data shows that the market is well-positioned for additional growth in the years to come,” he said. “Thailand’s MICE industry already serves as a vital case study on how strategic development, policies and investments lead to tangible economic results beyond tourism. For UFI, this was also part of the decision to select Bangkok as this year’s host destination for the UFI Global Congress.”

Enhancing the image of Thailand

TCEB aims to create trust among UFI members and make certain that Thailand offers successful exhibitions, and straight forward access to tap into the ASEAN and CLMV market, something that Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB’s President, says will help to enhance the image of Thailand as the “mecca” of world exhibitions.

The 86th UFI Global Congress will also be a trusted platform for Thailand to showcase the potential of Thai exhibition stakeholders and highlight Thailand 4.0 and EEC policy that employ ease of doing business in Thailand.

Key TCEB initiatives at the event include Thai Town, which will showcase Thai associations able to connect them to Thai service providers, such as TCEB and Thai Exhibition Association
while the booths of Thai MICE Cities will highlight how their infrastructure and facilities can accommodate trade shows.

There will also be a Focus on Thailand session, in which high-profile speakers will speak about business opportunities in Thailand and collaboration with Thai companies in staging international trade show in the country and the UFI members will have chance to meet with Thai exhibition organizers and stakeholders at the end of the session at Speed Dating activities.

The 86th UFI Global Congress, the exhibition industry’s largest global meeting of the year, will be held during 6-9 November 2019 at the AVANI+ Riverside Hotel, Bangkok.