Northstar

May-Jun 2017 45 meetings & conventions • mcmag-asia.com Last year the country drew in over 1.2 million international MICE travellers. In an effort to top that figure in 2017, the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has rolled out a number of promotions and incentives. Incentives for planners One such promotion is Convene in Paradise, a campaign which runs until the end of September and provides up to 1 million Baht (US$29,110) in support to large-scale conventions (1,000 plus international delegates or 500 international delegates if one of five industries are represented: health and wellness; energy; food and agribusiness; infrastructure and logistics; or automotive and electronics). The incentive also offers 300,000 Baht support for offshore conventions with a minimum attendance of 200 international delegates with at least 80% having the same nationality. Another promotion that offers great benefits for MICE travellers includes Spice Up Thailand, a programme which offers special rates on a wide range of lifestyle offerings including dining, shopping and spa discounts as well as lower rates for various attractions around the country. "TCEB has developed the Spice Up Thailand campaign together with five partners in order to promote and create awareness of the MICE industry overseas, as well as delivering a first- class experience to MICE travellers; in turn, this will help to increase spending and encourage MICE travellers to extend their stay in Thailand," said Nopparat Maythaveekhulchai, president, TCEB. The TCEB has also created Clockwise from left: The Apartment foyer and M Suite at Marriott Marquis; Nopparat Maythaveekhulchai, president of TCEB. "TCEB has developed the Spice Up Thailand campaign together with five partners in order to promote and create awareness of the MICE industry overseas," — NOPPARAT MAYTHAVEEKHULCHAI, PRESIDENT OF TCEB an app called for the MICE industry called 'Business Events Thailand' which features a city guide, a hotel and venue directory, and a special campaign and promotions section which lists special deals for MICE planners and delegates. New Hotels The new 1,360-room Marriott Marquis is located in downtown Bangkok and offers varied meeting spaces and accommodations for groups of all sizes. Among the 35

• Cover