BARCELONA, Spain, Dec. 14, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched a new "Mega Events...Sustainable Challenge" campaign to help Thailand's meetings industry gear up to meet the new ISO20121 global sustainability standards and position the industry to serve the needs of European organizations and MICE operators committed to corporate social responsibility.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20121214/HK29865LOGO )

The campaign is the outcome of several years of effort by TCEB to elevate social and environmental standards in the MICE industry. Based on its acclaimed "Green Meetings" initiative, TCEB has set its sights on 'Sustainability Thailand' as the next strategic goal for Thailand's MICE industry. Thai MICE operators are urged to adopt management methods that support sustainable development, encompassing its three dimensions: social, economic and environmental. As part of the campaign, TCEB is offering financial incentives of up to € 25,000 for EU-based groups bringing large corporate events to Thailand. The campaign will run until 30 September, 2013. TCEB recently spearheaded the launch of the new ISO 20121 Standard (Event Sustainability Management System) which made its global debut at the London 2012 Olympics. Thailand will be the second country in the world to implement the standard for the MICE industry.

Commenting on the campaign, TCEB's Acting Director of the Meetings Industry Department, Ms. Vichaya Soonthornsaratoon, announced that "The 'Mega Events...Sustainable Challenge' campaign has already drawn strong interest from European organizations and MICE operators committed to sustainability and social responsibility in their activities."

"Overall, we expect this campaign to accomplish two goals. Apart from encouraging more EU-based companies and organizations to bring their large corporate events to Thailand, the campaign underscores the need for corporate and industry-wide action as responsible global citizens. We believe the leadership and commitment that Thailand's MICE industry demonstrates on a day-to-day basis will contribute to its overall image and standing within the global industry, and cement Thailand's status as the destination of choice for international mega-events."

"A simple effort can make a big difference and also help ensure your mega-event meets recognized global sustainability criteria," concluded Ms. Soonthornsaratoon.

So far, 88 private companies in Thailand, engaged in construction, DMC, meeting venues, and event management have committed to prepare themselves to meet green criteria in their operations, in order to serve the needs of 'sustainable meetings', especially for the European market. The TCEB campaign encourages European organizations and business travellers to team up with Thai event organizers, to support local communities through CSR activities.

Over the past ten years of TCEB's operation, Thailand's MICE industry has generated over 400 billion baht (€ 10.26 billion) in revenues, with over 5.6 million MICE visitors to Thailand over this time. TCEB is set to meet its 2012 target of 750,000 MICE visitors to Thailand, with revenues of 60.12 billion baht (€ 1.54 billion).

Europe is a key market for Thailand's MICE industry. Europe's share of Thailand's MICE market is also growing, with the Federal Republic of Germany ranked first in terms of both meetings and incentive travel, whilst the Netherlands holds the lead in international conventions. Last year Thailand welcomed 86,808 European MICE travellers, earning revenues of Euro 135.6 million and will remain the growth of number in 2012. In 2013, TCEB anticipates 5.0 percent growth in the number of MICE travellers from the EU to Thailand, to over 91,000 visitors, and revenues forecast at € 164.9 million.

In conclusion, Ms. Soonthornsaratoon added, "We expect 2013 visitor numbers to receive an additional boost from the opening of the 2.5 billion baht (€ 64.1 million) Chiang Mai International Convention and Exhibition Centre, which will be the first dedicated convention and exhibition centre in the Northern region with a capacity to accommodate 10,000 MICE visitors. The opening will help position the city of Chiang Mai, with its international airport and 33,000 hotel rooms, as a major global MICE destination, especially for cultural, environmental and medical tourism."

"Sustainable Mega-Events": Terms and conditions for eligibility for TCEB support

Applicants must meet one of the following criteria: a) The UK organization must contract with a local Thai event organizer to manage the event; or b) The event must be held at a certified 'Green Venue"; or c) The event must include a CSR activity in the program.  Other terms and conditions are as follows:

• Offer is subject to prior approval by TCEB;
• Minimum of 1,000 overseas delegates per event;
• Staying at least three consecutive nights in Thailand;
• Only one offer allowed per event owner;
• Offer is subject to limited availability; support will be confirmed on a first-come, first-served basis;
• Financial subsidy to be reimbursed within 60 days after the event;
• TCEB reserves the right to amend terms and conditions without prior notice.

About Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)

Working under the Prime Minister's Office, TCEB was created as a vibrant, 21st-century, cutting-edge professional organization. TCEB's flat organizational design facilitates agile responses to industry needs, enabling the TCEB team to maximize operational efficiency and contribute to the global competitiveness of Thailand's MICE sector. TCEB promotes ethical and responsible business behaviour based on its core values of customer enthusiasm, integrity, teamwork, innovation, continuous improvement, and social and environmental responsibility. We aim to become the standard-setters for the industry.

www.tceb.or.th

For more information please contact;

Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau

Ms. Parichat Svetasreni
Tel: +662-694-6092
parichat_s@tceb.or.th 

Ms. Arisara Thanuplang
Tel: +662-694-6095
arisara_t@tceb.or.th

SOURCE Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau