Thailand Showcased on World Stage as MICE Education Hub of ASEAN

BANGKOK, Thailand, June 18, 2015 /PRNewswire/ -- Henry Ford's musing that "Anyone who stops learning is old, whether at twenty or eighty. Anyone who keeps learning stays young" is as true today as at the turn of the last century.

To stay ahead of the curve in the rapidly evolving business events industry, education needs undoubtedly to be a lifelong pursuit. As the Thai government's flagship business events body, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is the passionate steward of this belief, and stands at the centre of a diverse and collaborative network that promotes MICE capabilities development in Thailand and across the ASEAN Economic Community (AEC).

MICE Capabilities development plays a vital role in driving the competitiveness of MICE professionals all over the world. In Thailand, by tapping into a vast network of MICE operators, professional convention organisers, professional exhibition organisers, new entrepreneurs, Gen Y and students, and from the mountains of northern Thailand to the beaches of the south, TCEB raises the bar when it comes to professional standards. The key aim -- and ultimate result -- is to delight MICE travellers from around the world, who revel in Thailand's famously warm hospitality.

In line with the bureau's five year strategic development roadmap (2012-2016), TCEB is spearheading initiatives in two key areas -- fostering the professional development of MICE executives and entrepreneurs, and nurturing emerging talent through partnerships with educational institutes nationwide.

Mr Nopparat Maythaveekulchai, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, disclosed that, "The dynamic MICE industry workforce will play a vital role in driving our sector forward ahead of full implementation of the ASEAN Economic Community at the end of this year."

The first element of TCEB's strategy is Trade Education. Reinforcing Thailand's reputation as an ASEAN MICE Education Hub for MICE executives and entrepreneurs, TCEB offers a wide range of world class professional trainings courses and workshops including IAEE (International Association of Exhibitions and Events) Certified in Exhibition Management Program, IAPCO (International Association of Professional Congress Organisers) Regional Seminar, and MPI (Meeting Professionals International) Global Certificate in Meetings and Business Events, and Meeting Essential. All these industry's leading organisations have selected Thailand as the regional centre for their acclaimed advanced professional studies for the MICE industry, in partnership with TCEB. Each year, senior trainers conduct high profile training courses to strengthen the operational skills of industry professionals from ASEAN, placing them front and centre on the world stage.

The second complementary element of TCEB's strategy this is nurturing the next generation of MICE professionals. As part of the 'MICE Academy – Creating Future MICE Leaders' initiative, Thailand was the first country in Asia to develop and roll-out a comprehensive MICE 101 Curriculum to meet international standards in 2012, as part of a strategic collaboration between TCEB, the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), the Thai Exhibition Association and the Event Management Association (EMA). With the further expansion of educational collaboration to an additional 27 vocational colleges this year, Thailand now has more than 80 universities and vocational colleges nationwide offering MICE 101 curriculum, the highest of anywhere in the world. For teachers and lecturers of the MICE 101 curriculum, TCEB encourages MICE teacher training in its 'Coach the Coaches' programme.

By bridging MICE knowledge from leading educational institutes from around the world, TCEB also connects Thai universities with international institutes for knowledge sharing and scholar exchange through its Academic Exchange programme. TCEB currently has 22 MICE institutes from six countries as the partner agencies. This year, TCEB focuses on working with educational partners from Japan, Germany and the United States.

To extend knowledge sharing opportunities, TCEB bridges all MICE experts through an online information exchange platform on MICE personnel development, while the MICE Career Day highlight an extension program from MICE international curriculum which will provide opportunities for students and interested people to look for job or training opportunities in the MICE businesses.

Having strong and well-trained young professionals who deliver high standards of performance through knowledge of MICE will ensure Thailand maintains its position as a preferred MICE destination in the region, and will advance the capabilities of the Thai and ASEAN MICE industries. The project is expected to result in participation of up to 20,000 students by the end of this year.

"Today, Thailand is the top international exhibition market in ASEAN, and Bangkok has been identified as among 10 Asian cities with ideal international conference facilities. Thailand is seizing the opportunity to build on this leadership position to raise the standard of MICE capabilities across the region, ahead of full implementation of the AEC at the end of this year. We are confident this will reaffirm Thailand's reputation as the premier MICE destination in Asia," concluded Mr Nopparat.

For further information, please contact:

Corporate Communications Division, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)

www.tceb.or.th

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20150618/224026

SOURCE Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau

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