BANGKOK The Thailand Convention and Exhibitions Bureau (TCEB) has launched Thailand Maximize, a campaign to bring more business events to the country.

The campaign includes a subsidy-based initiative, Max Package, a three-pronged rewards scheme for meetings and incentives (Max Value), conventions (Max Reward) and exhibitions (Max Bonus). TCEB’s outgoing director of meetings and incentives,

Malinee Kitaphanich, said: “Thailand Maximize highlights the kingdom’s strong points – value for money, variety of attractions and hospitality; while the Max Package will provide special enhancements that best suit the needs of different meetings groups.”

Max Package offerings include support and subsidies for CSR programmes and pre-show dinner and tickets to cultural shows at Aksra Theatre, Joe Louis and Siam Niramit.

The president of Thailand Convention and Incentive Association, Sumate Sudasna, said: “The campaign will generate widespread publicity and hopefully stimulate new events and increase delegate participation. The private sector hopes the scheme will help with decision-making more than helping to finance movements already heading to Thailand.”

The campaigns come as Thailand reported a 15% year-on-year drop in MICE arrivals in 2008. In addition to the effects of the global recession, many events were cancelled, relocated or postponed in the wake of political instability in late 2008. Since then, TCEB has launched a number of initiatives to regain lost ground and reassure meeting planners of its ability to host world-class events.

Thailand Maximize will run until September 30, 2010. 
www.tceb.or.th