World exhibition organisers confirm confidence in Thailand’s strong potential as exhibition destination

Bangkok, Thailand / 11 November, 2024/ Dataxet/ AsiaNet

The Exhibition Industry Summit 2024, the first exclusive event held by Thailand Convention and Exhibition
Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, was a major success. Executives of leading exhibition organisations from
Europe and Asia expressed strong confidence in Thailand’s potential and readiness to become the preferred
exhibition destination. The executives attributed their confidence to the Thai government’s clear policy to
promote the exhibition industry, the country’s excellent infrastructure, open business culture, and renowned
hospitality. While looking for growing business networks with local Thai partners, the participants also
recommended that local industry adopt advanced digital technologies to serve the changing needs of the
exhibition industry.

The recent Exhibition Industry Summit 2024’s theme “See Tomorrow Now” was intended for delegates
and participants to clearly envision future business opportunities in Thailand. The insights attendee gained will be

a catalyst for their business plan formulation to capture those opportunities by using exhibitions as the
springboard.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, TCEB’s President, said, “The Exhibition Industry Summit 2024 was a
great success and will bring huge benefits to Thailand. This was the first time that the leaders and key decision-
makers of leading exhibition organisers from Europe and Asia met in Thailand to obtain insights about Thailand’s
vision and exhibition industry development direction directly from Thailand’s top decision-makers. This is really
important to their future decision on venue selection for big events. We also received valuable recommendations
on areas of development to propel the exhibition industry forwards while effectively addressing the changing
needs in the global market.”

During the event, TCEB, led by Mr. Prasert Jantararuangtong, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Digital
Economy and Society, and Dr. Pasu Loharjun, Chairman of the Board of TCEB, brought the world’s exhibition
leaders to pay a courtesy call on the Thai Prime Minister, Ms. Paetongtarn Shinawatra, at the Government House.
The Prime Minister confirmed the government’s full support to drive the growth and success of the business
sector, paving the way for Thailand to become the top exhibition destination. She added that the government is
building the One Stop Service System to enhance convenience for exhibition activities, which will encourage
innovation development and, thus, boost national economic growth sustainably.

The leaders also joined the roundtable discussion with key figures of the Thai government, including the
Vice Minister for Tourism and Sport, Deputy Secretary to the Prime Minister, the Deputy Permanent Secretary of
the Ministry of Digital Economy and Society, the Chairman of the Industrial Estate of Thailand, the President and
CEO of Export-Import Bank of Thailand, and the Director of the Division of International Industrial Economics under
the Ministry of Industry. During the discussion, the representatives from the Thai government reiterated the
importance of the exhibition industry as a key economic driver and a magnet to draw more foreign direct
investment (FDI) into the country. The exhibition industry also supports the development of related businesses.
All of these are aligned with the government’s policy to promote the tourism industry which already contributes
12 per cent to the Thai GDP, with a focus on high-value tourism, including the exhibition industry.

Following the roundtable discussion was a forum at which in-depth information and the potential of
Thailand, insights on high-growth industries and trends in the exhibition industry were shared. The forum included
keynote speeches on “Shaping Thailand’s Future in the Global Value Chain” by speakers from the
International Financial Corporation and the Thailand Development and Research Institute, a panel discussion on
“Thailand’s Economic Potential and Integration into ASEAN: Future Frontiers” by leading figures from the
medical and health, Fintech and technology and automotive sectors, and a discussion on “Exhibition Industry
Strengths and Emerging Trends” by exhibition industry leaders.

The speakers also highlighted three trends and opportunities that will enhance competitiveness. Firstly,
the customised service trend requiring exhibition organisers to create impressive experiences and better address

the changing lifestyle. As people need more work-life balance, exhibition organisers will have to provide facilities
and services, including telecommunication service, that enable visitors to stay connected while participating in an
exhibition. Secondly, organisers should adopt AI in many areas, e.g. Big Data management, translation of content,
etc. Thirdly, the venue selection. The venue should not only provide good facilities, but also make participants
feel welcome. As Thailand already has excellent infrastructure, various activities out of hotels and superb
hospitality, the country will be able to respond to the trends.

TCEB also presented Thailand as the sustainable high-value-added destination, as evidenced by the use
of hybrid vehicles and electric boats for delegate transport, a gala dinner menu using local ingredients, and
optimising food ingredients to minimise waste. Meanwhile, Thai culture was celebrated through event decorations
with authentic Thai art, Thai food, Khon mask performance and a puppet show that interacted with the
participants, representing a perfect blend between business and culture, making for an impressive experience.

After the Exhibition Industry Summit 2024, TCEB expects to draw approximately 60 new international
exhibitions to Thailand throughout the next three years (2025-2027), which will generate 7,425 million baht to the
country, and attract 426,000 international and local visitors. Economic value created by travellers attending
exhibitions in Thailand is expected to reach 11,649 million baht. For more information about exhibitions, visit:
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/TCEBExhibitionsDept
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/tcebthailandexhibitions/
LinkedIn https://www.linkedin.com/company/tceb-thailand-exhibitions/?originalSubdomain=th