60th ICCA Congress Cartagena, Colombia

The roadmap reflects the shift in TCEB’s role from an industry supporter to a growth driver. It has been implemented with the partnership of Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Thailand’s leading professional association for conventions. Under the upgrade strategy, TCEB will engage the entire conventions ecosystem to address demand-side and supply-side capability and capacity. This means raising awareness and know-how among local associations for hosting conventions in Thailand and building up a network of highly skilled and highly connected conventions professionals, who are capable of managing the entire life-cycle of an event.

On the demand side, TCEB has begun reaching out to local associations through a variety of initiatives. An example is the Local Association Development and Ambassador Programme. With an understanding of the value of hosting a convention and the promise of industry and government support, local associations would be more confident and empowered to bid for a convention.

Beyond advancing an association’s professional goals, a convention can also elevate legacies and positive economic, social, and environmental impacts for Thailand.

On the supply side, TCEB has set up a conventions task force to explore innovative ways to reengineer Thailand’s conventions industry. The task force, structured as a think tank that meets every quarter, comprises representatives from academia as well as TICA’s convention experts, such as venues, Destination Management Companies (DMCs), and Professional Congress Organisers (PCO).

To complement the conceptual work undertaken by the task force, TCEB and TICA have also established teams of “Convention Connecters” to respond to market trends with greater agility. Each team is made up of two persons whose expertise in lead generation, bidding, and convention management will help associations build a strong case for organising a convention. The most immediate targets for these “Convention Connecters” are associations related to the so-called “Thailand 4.0” industries – the ones that will power Thailand’s economic transformation such as robotics, medical, agriculture & biotech, food and legal & professional services. The focus on Thailand 4.0 is in line with TCEB’s policy to use business events as a driver for economic development.

Complementing the industry upgrade strategy in the roadmap is the upskill strategy, which is aimed at preparing industry professionals for a new conventions era. A key initiative – the Convention Bid Agent Training Programme – was launched in 2020 by TCEB in partnership with TICA and ICCA. It produced 16 qualified bid agents who have since joined Thailand Conventions Bidding Team. The second edition in 2021 offers more specialised content with the additional support of IAPCO. Its first two modules – Reflection Session and Beginner & Intermediate Programme – attracted more than 200 participants from academia, PCOs, associations, venues and CVBs. An advanced level, and last module for 2021, is scheduled for later this year.

Designed to raise Thailand Conventions’ recognition in the global arena, upstaging strategy enhances TCEB’s relationship with international industry associations in a series of partnership programmes. TCEB is also working towards hosting global agenda conventions - the likes of the Annual Meetings of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund that Thailand hosted in 1991.

The 60th Annual ICCA Congress will take us to Cartagena, Colombia on 24-27 October 2021 with the theme ‘Forward to our Future’. The ICCA Congress 2021 will set the stage for the association events of tomorrow. It will be a hybrid event.

Reasons you shouldn’t miss the 2021 ICCA Congress

With a legacy 60 years in the making, the ICCA Congress is a unique platform for meetings industry professionals and association executives. Here’s why this prestigious, annual event is a must attend for all involved in international association meetings. • Vital insights: Gain the latest research and expert perspectives. Plus, get hands-on experience with cutting-edge event technology and new tools for successful meetings. • Business development: Your new partners await. Meet relevant leads and forge stronger relationships with opportunities to connect both digitally and face-to-face. • Networking: Reunite and have meaningful conversations with our global community in Cartagena, your Congress Hub, or on our stateof-the-art digital platform. With pre-Congress access, you can also start networking up to two weeks leading up to the main event. • Top-class education: An untraditional, immersive line-up designed to inform and inspire. Our exciting programme will refresh your outlook and deliver actionable strategies for overcoming today’s challenges. • Build Legacy: Be part of the crucial, change-making conversations that take place during ICCA Congress. Share and co-create best practices for accelerating industry recovery. Make a positive impact. • Flexibility guaranteed: Risk-free registration enables you to sign up now and change your registration type whenever you like. We invite you to join us in the way that best suits your needs.

YOKOHAMA TO HOST GLOBAL CONFERENCE On Robotics & Automation: Japan’s 2nd Largest City To Welcome IEEE ICRA 2024

Yokohama has been chosen to host the 2024 IEEE International Conference on Robotics and Automation (IEEE ICRA 2024). Organised by the IEEE Robotics & Automation Society, the event will return to Japan for the first time since 2009.

Yokohama Convention & Visitors Bureau (YCVB), PACIFICO Yokohama, Kanagawa Prefecture, City of Yokohama, Japan Tourism Agency, and Japan National Tourism Organisation attracted the conference, whose economic benefit is expected to be approximately JPY 1billion / UK£6.65 million.

Japan’s high standard of research and Yokohama’s safety and convenience were among the deciding factors. An Innovation City, Yokohama will facilitate exchange between researchers and Yokohama-based businesses and academia at IEEE ICRA 2024.

IEEE ICRA 2024 will be a hybrid conference with 25,000 participants (5,000 in-person including 4,000 from overseas) and 20,000 online, drawing on Yokohama’s expertise in holding hybrid conferences since 2020.

ASM GLOBAL LARGEST EXHIBITION AND CONVENTION CENTRE IN THE MIDDLE EAST

ASM Global has been appointed as the managing operator for Bahrain International Exhibition & Convention Centre.

Set for completion in 2022, the project will mark the launch of the region’s largest exhibition and convention centre on a total site area of 309,000sqm.

The centre will boost Bahrain’s position as a leading Business Events hub internationally with a total build-up area of 149,000sqm, offer 95,000sqm of exhibition space over 10 halls, a 4,000-seat tiered auditorium, 95 meeting rooms, Royal & VIP Majlis, supported by event organisers' offices and a 250-seat capacity restaurant.

ASM Global’s renowned portfolio is anchored by the most iconic arenas, convention centres and stadiums across five continents. The brand-new destination will feature state-of-the-art technology, as well as having the highest level of flexibility to host a range of events from exhibitions and conventions to concerts, live events, weddings, seminars and more.