Bangkok: Thailand is officially declared a host of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023. Scheduled in Bangkok, AFECA AGM 2023 is a gathering of Asian industry leader and regional professionals in conventions and exhibitions. The theme of the meeting “ASIA UNITES” represents the intention to synergize Asia’s MICE community in creating new business events, elevating businesses and industries, and expanding the MICE industry’s endless possibilities in Asia, without leaving anyone behind.

As a host organiser, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will make ‘sustainability’ the milestone of the AFECA AGM 2023. Thus, it will focus on People, Profit, and the Planet. Firstly, People means that the materials to be used for the event will be sourced from local producers and farmers, and are produced with efficient use of resources and environmental-friendly process from the upstream. Secondly, Profit means that AFECA members will have the opportunities to create business connections and collaboration in industry cluster investment, and to help power the exhibition economy and alliances in environmental management. Lastly, Planet, the venues, the destinations, the transportation, and the organization are well crafted to be in line with sustainability practices in pursuit of the status of a 360-degree sustainability meeting.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), stated that, “TCEB has a policy of creating measurable impacts from events and AFECA AGM 2023 is no exception. This policy is of paramount importance as we need quantifiable results when our industry is in the period of reigniting business. Knowledge transfer for exhibition manpower, creating business opportunities and forging our regional collaboration will be three key outcomes we are expecting to help deliver during AFECA AGM 2023. We strongly hope that over 100 participants will share our mission and reap the rewards together at the end of AFECA AGM 2023.”

The success of the AFECA AGM 2023 will send a message to the world on how capable and replete Thailand is as the MICE hub of Asia. Therefore, TCEB has made the preparation to help produce 3 core outcomes that will be the legacy AFECA AGM 2023. The NEXT Pro leader platform is to share and transfer valuable information and knowledge, built upon the AFECA philosophy of fostering long-term industrial relationships with international peers, while encouraging participants to expand their businesses. Then, it will be the session of Co-create Connections for Asia Business Event which will provide exclusive business matching platform between AFECA members and the Thai exhibition community (service providers, organisers, and venue operators). Last but not least, Thailand Declaration: Asia MICE for Asia will be the kick off for the MICE economy’s revitalization to raise profiles of domestic MICE players to become the regional player of international caliber.

Dato’ Vincent Lim, AFECA President also stated “AFECA is delighted to have Thailand to be the host for AFECA AGM 2023, and members can look forward to visiting the beautiful country. Thailand has always been an important MICE destination in Asia and at the forefront on developing the Asian MICE industry. I believe that with the support from TCEB, AFECA AGM 2023 would be a platform for Asian MICE leaders to continue raising the profile of Asian MICE industry in the global stage and will also definitely be a marvelous experience for all members.”

The AFECA AGM 2023 will be a great”plat’orm for professionals in exhibitions and conventions to collaborate on regaining strength, reinventing MICE businesses, achieving sustainable growth, preparing for the industry rebound, and empowering the regional economy with MICE. In turn, the dialogues will encourage member nations to collaborate in order to help domestic MICE events raise their profiles and become Asia’s MICE organizers of international caliber uniting Asia’s MICE community.

The AFECA AGM 2023 will be a significant milestone for Thailand and the Asia’s MICE community, as it is a reunion to begin moving forward together once more; this is “ASIA UNITES” for “Empowering MICE Economy”