TCEB and TICA have entered into agreements with three Asian convention bureaus; Seoul Tourism Organization, Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau and Taiwan External Trade Development Council to jointly promote the convention industry in Asia and work on a planned future establishment of Asia Convention Alliance (ACA).
The involved parties signed on September 2nd three Memorandums of Understanding – Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), TCEB and Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), and between Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) and Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA).
The alliance calls for mutual benefits, strengthened bilateral partnership, and coopetition and facilitation of business development and knowledge exchanges between members through collaborative projects. The ultimate goal is to drive more regional conventions, as well as the joint conventions organised in the country, state, city or territory of the counterparty by rotation among members as a means to boost the convention market in the region. In so doing, each member will invite other organisations to join the alliance.
Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, stated the idea of TCEB and TICA to form the alliance with our Asian counterparts was initiated in December 2020 when we foresaw that the convention market in Asia is the most promising and expected to be on the real verge of recovery sooner due to preceding readiness for short-haul travel and economic stimulus policies of the governments in the region. In going forward, the alliance aims to help local professional conference organisers (PCOs) in each member country build confidence and become prepared to respond to fresh demands of the post-Covid-19 pandemic when businesses and organisations will utilise conventions in gathering advanced knowledge, latest technologies and new experiences to reignite professional and business growth.
Mr. Sumate Sudasna, President of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), remarked that “TICA’s membership spans the full range of incentive and convention suppliers who are professional and reliable partners convention planners can work with. TICA is a long-standing collaborator of TCEB and other stakeholders in Thailand’s meetings industry. We are ready to share our resources and market expertise with every member of the Asia Convention Alliance. Together, we can give Asia’s convention industry a deserving reboot.”
Mr. Ki Yon Kil, President and CEO of Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), said that “We expect the MoU with TCEB in building further collaboration and cooperation among Asian cities will serve as an important step toward the recovery of the business events industry amidst the difficult time. Seoul Tourism Organization will provide full support in establishing a firm ground for the local PCOs to be connected with local and international associations and be globalised to host more international conferences on the basis of long-term partnership.”
Dato’ Sri Abdul Khani Daud, CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), said that “MyCEB is delighted to be part of the Asia Convention Alliance. The signing of MoU with the alliance marks a unique partnership between member destinations. We are committed to strengthening cooperation with the alliance. MyCEB aims to facilitate knowledge exchange and rebuild the business events industry in the region. We strongly believe that members of the alliance will rebound together from the COVID-19 pandemic and gain confidence from the international market as trusted destinations. Malaysia looks forward to advancing the alliance to newer heights.”
Ms. Leonor F. M. Lin, President and CEO of Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), said that “As a foremost trade promotion organisation in Taiwan, Taiwan External Trade Development Council (TAITRA) is very delighted to join in Asia Convention Alliance and become one of the founding members. During the trying times of the COVID-19 pandemic, TAITRA is certain that this cooperation is greatly beneficial to the MICE industry in Asia and brings together the best for the MICE industry around the world.”
The establishment of ACA is part of the collective effort to co-develop business opportunities among alliance members and strive for the status of sustainable regional convention destination. As per the ACA framework, the rotation pattern within Asia could be more promising to boost the regional convention market. Convention(s) under ACA are expected to roll out from 2022 onwards. In addition, all founding members hope to welcome more members on board ACA towards propelling Asia’s convention industry. Interested CVBs/DMOs in Asia are invited to contact TCEB Conventions at c@tceb.or.th
