TCEB to launch Asean MICE show in 2007

BANGKOK The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) will launch Asean MICE next year, a regional trade show for the business events industry.

A US$800,000 budget has been allocated for the event, which will be held in conjunction with Team Thailand. The event will be held in Bangkok at IMPACT Challenger Hall on March 8-11, 2007. Event company CM Organiser will manage it. TCEB exhibitions director Vithaya Sintharapantorn told CEI Asia Pacific the event would initially have a domestic focus, but expand in the second and third years to establish itself as an international event. "It will become like EIBTM or IMEX in the future," said Vithaya. "The aim is to create awareness and understanding, and to establish a networking forum for the exchange of knowledge and attract professionals to the MICE industry. "It will be an eye-catching event for all regional countries who may want to come and take a look. "The industry is currently outperforming the resources we have got. It is growing at 20 per cent to 30 per cent a year." Vithaya said he was expecting 300 exhibitors, up to 200 buyers and 100,000 visitors for the inaugural event.