News that Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau’s (TCEB) president Natwut Amornvivat has quit the organisation couldn’t have come at a worse time – the need for clear leadership in the current financial and political climate has never been greater.

Natwut says he is leaving the bureau to concentrate more on his family-run business.

But industry insiders question why a leader who appeared to be the full package – youthful outlook, professional, media savvy and an excellent spokesman – would step do so soon. They also express concerns about the immediate future of the bureau.

David Barrett, executive director of events, Diethelm Events Thailand, says: “Naturally the departure of Khun Natwut from TCEB is much earlier than the industry would have liked.

“With TCEB being our flagship government agency spearheading the promotion of MICE to Thailand, any disruption, such as the resignation of president, is bound to temporarily impact its performance.”

Top role
Natwut is the second leader in TCEB’s four-year history. He took over the post from three acting directors-general, following the departure of Peerapong Oeusoonthornwatta in August 2006.

TCEB’s exhibition director, Supawan Teerarat, will now take on the top role while the board searches for a replacement.

Supawan says: “Although Natwut Amornvivat will step down from his post as president of TCEB, he will remain as an advisor to TCEB until a successor is found.

“We anticipate a very smooth transition because TCEB has already laid-out its vision, which is supported by clear objectives, long-term strategies and a systematic action plan.”

Suitable replacement
The business events industry has differing views on who Natwut’s replacement should be – some say a Thai is needed to deal effectively with the government and local authorities, while others suggest a foreigner would better serve TCEB’s future direction.

Regardless of the choice, the new leader will require modern thinking and strong support to navigate the challenging economic times.

Bert Van Walbeek, managing director of the Winning Edge, says heading TCEB has big demands.“What TCEB needs is a well-respected person that can unify Thailand’s MICE industry, that motivates all stakeholders toward team thinking, coaches the industry into solution thinking, cooperates with local expertise, does not necessarily have Thai nationality, can handle a self-centred board and, last but not least, leads TCEB towards long-term thinking.”

It has also been suggested TCEB’s board impose measures to ensure the new president stays until the end of their term.

Future direction
Sumate Sudasna, managing director of Creative Destination Management, says the industry should be wary of placing too much importance on one individual. “The main concern should be with the organisation as a whole.

What Thailand needs is a sustainable bureau and one that answers the needs of the industry,” he says.

“TCEB has to overcome the hurdles of being a public organisation because its main objective is to develop the trade, not to justify its existence. Its relevance will be proven if it functions well and is respected by the trade.” Whoever is chosen, TCEB needs to act swiftly.

Thailand’s business events industry needs confident leadership immediately.