Thailand chosen a host of AFECA AGM 2023

31 January 2023: Thailand is officially chosen as a host of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 which will be held in October. The meeting will gather 155 member associations from 19 countries to discuss the elevation of MICE industry, emphasising Thailand as an international MICE leader.

Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), stated that “Thailand is officially declared as a host of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations (AFECA) Annual General Meeting (AGM) 2023 which will be held on October 2023 in Bangkok. This is another important event in MICE industry after the International Congress and Convention Association or ICCA announced the hosting of the annual general meeting in Thailand in November. It demonstrates that international MICE organisations recognise the potential of Thai MICE industry and, thus, select Thailand as a destination country for the events.

“AFECA AGM 2023 is a gathering of Asian industry leaders and regional professionals in conventions and exhibitions. The theme of the meeting “ASIA UNITES” represents the intention to synergize Asia’s MICE community in creating new business events, elevating businesses and industries, and expanding the MICE industry's infinite possibilities in Asia, without leaving anyone behind.”

As a host country, Thailand will make ‘sustainability’ the milestone of the AFECA AGM 2023, focusing on People, Profit, and the Planet, and supporting the use of the materials for the event that are sourced from local producers and farmers, and they must be produced with efficient use of resources and environmental-friendly process, including the destinations, the transportation, and the organisation that are well crafted to be in line with sustainability practices.

Furthermore, a policy of creating measurable impacts from events will also be implemented. TCEB strongly hopes that the participants of AFECA AGM 2023 will be a part of this sustainability approach and maximise it together.

The AFECA AGM 2023 is an opportunity to demonstrate Thailand’s potential as a host of world-class event, which will increase the chance to attract new international exhibitions to Thailand. In the meeting, there will be a discussion on building a platform for industry leaders to share and transfer valuable knowledge that is in accordance with AFECA philosophy of fostering long-term industrial relationships among international peers, training domestic MICE entrepreneurs in order to raise their profiles to the international level, including networking session which will lead to business matching between AFECA members and the Thai exhibition entrepreneurs, such as organisers and venue operators.

Dato’ Vincent Lim, AFECA President stated that “AFECA is delighted to have Thailand to be the host for AFECA AGM 2023, and members can look forward to visiting the beautiful country. Thailand has always been an important MICE destination in Asia and at the forefront on developing the Asian MICE industry. I believe that with the support from TCEB, AFECA AGM 2023 would be a platform for Asian MICE leaders to continue raising the profile of Asian MICE industry in the global stage and will also definitely be a marvellous experience for all members.”

The AFECA AGM 2023 will be a significant milestone for Thailand and the Asia’s MICE industry. The event will be a great platform for professionals in exhibitions and conventions to move forward together in line with “ASIA UNITES” and to collaborate on regaining strength, reinventing MICE businesses, achieving sustainable growth, and empowering the regional economy with MICE. The dialogues will encourage member nations to collaborate in order to help domestic MICE events raise their profiles and become Asia’s MICE organisers of international calibre that unites Asia’s MICE community.