TCEB Launches “Virtual Meeting Space” Supporting MICE Entrepreneurs to Keep Business Alive

TCEB Launches “Virtual Meeting Space”

Supporting MICE Entrepreneurs to Keep Business Alive 

    TCEB launches the “Virtual Meeting Space” project, providing support for MICE entrepreneurs to keep their business alive by running business events online and re-skilling their manpower via virtual platform. Another project “COVID-19 Free Meetings” will support MICE venue to upgrade their safety and health standards. The two projects are in response to the spread of the COVID-19 and global lockdown, which put physical events and activities to a halt.

    Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, President, Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB, stated that as a government agency, TCEB has initiated and will implement the two projects as part of the government’s economic relief measures, which will benefit MICE entrepreneurs and workforce, such as tax reduction, extension of tax filing period, higher tax deduction, reducing interest rate for debt, soft loan, extension of electricity bill payment, wage compensation, etc. 

     “The COVID-19 pandemic has caused the postponement and cancellation of MICE events worldwide.  Online or virtual platform has become an alternative for events that can ensure business survival. Thai entrepreneurs need to adapt themselves to such business platform. In this respect, TCEB has designed two key projects. The first one “Virtual Meeting Space” (VMS) is to enable Thai MICE entrepreneurs to continue their business and to re-skill their workforce and the other, “COVID-19 Free Meetings”, aims to assist MICE venue operators to upgrade the safety standard of their facilities”.

     To run “Virtual Meeting Space” or VMS project, TCEB will provide support for holding events on online platform in 3 categories:

• Webinar – TCEB will support in the preparation and management of this online platform. This includes production and preparation of a studio for LIVE, as well as, technical co-ordination and system monitoring during LIVE. The organizers can run their slide presentation during the meeting session, while interaction to share experiences, discussion with the speaker, Q&A and a poll or survey can be conducted. The session can cater up to 10,000 attendees at a time.
• O2O (Offline to Online) – This platform caters to exhibitions. TCEB will support in the arrangement and management of online platform for exhibitors, as well as, support for LIVE streaming from either a studio or the organizer’s venue. The support covers sequencing, production, controlling, system monitoring during LIVE streaming and preparation of technical co-ordination. Exhibitors can showcase their activities, products and services as needed. Online payment system is also equipped to boost sales volume.
• E-Learning Platform – It is an online learning center for MICE entrepreneurs to re-skill or up-skill their workforce. There are six courses run from May to October 2020 by Southeast Asia Center or SEAC on YourNextU platform:  1. Project Management 2. Inter-personnel Skills 3. Management 4. Communication 5. Entrepreneurship and 6. Digital. Learners will receive a certification from TCEB if they complete course requisites. TCEB welcomes application from 250 MICE entrepreneurs. 

The VMS project will begin in May 2020 onward. For enquiry, please contact MICE Intelligence and Innovation Department, TCEB, at E-mail: vms@tceb.or.th  

    For the second project, “COVID-19 FREE Meetings”, TCEB will provide 30,000 baht subsidy for each MICE premise to formulate plans and prepare tools that fit the measures in the screening and prevention of COVID-19 stipulated by the Ministry of Public Health. For example, the installation of body temperature monitoring system, the screening of body temperature before participation, the screening of delegate’s timeline, the preparation of hand-washing points and alcohol dispensers, the practice of social distancing, etc. The project aims to help the venues gain confidence in their health and safety measures from the clients.

    To be eligible for the support of this project, the venue must be certified with Thailand MICE Venue Standard (TMVS) or hotel entrepreneurs must be members of Thai Hotel Association (THA). TCEB forecasts that the project will be able to support up to 216 MICE venues nationwide under the 6,480,000 baht budget. 

    COVID-19 FREE Meetings project will be running from April to June 2020. Enquiry and registration for support can be made with MICE Capabilities Department, TCEB, at E-mail: MICEstandards@gmail.com 

     “Apart from the two projects, TCEB has set up TCEB COVID-19Information Center to serve as a communication center during this critical period. The center will monitor, compile, examine and assess the information, especially the impacts of the disease on MICE industry, and produce recommendations for the industry. The second task of the center is to update the situation, especially government’s rules, regulations and announcements, and publicise them to the industry so that they are kept abreast of the development that may impact their business and plans.” concluded Mr. Chiruit. 

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For further information, please contact: Corporate Image and Communication Department 

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization)   

Ms. Parichat Svetasreni Tel: +66 2 694 6009 Email: parichat_s@tceb.or.th

Ms. Kwanchanok Otton Tel: + 662 694 6000 Email: kwanchanok_o@tceb.or.th

Visage Company

Ms. Yuphaporn Lertsattakit Tel: + 662 616 6749- 50