MISSION POSSIBLE: TO MICE AND BEYOND

The Pacific Asia Travel Association (PATA) and Conferences Exhibitions Incentives Asia Pacific magazine will launch the PATA-CEI Asia Pacific MICE Seminar Series in Thailand next month.

The first seminar, called "A Mission to MICE & Beyond," will take place October 4-5 at the Hotel Plaza Athenee in Bangkok. The main goal of the seminar is to show local operators how to tap into a sector that traditionally delivers higher yields than leisure tourism.

"In light of the recent events in the US, it is now more important than ever to discuss the challenges faced by MICE destinations and operators in the Pacific Asia region," said Ms. Malinee Kitaphanich, PATA's Director-Southeast Asia.

Mr. Mark Armsden, Editor of CEI Asia Pacific, estimates the business events market in Pacific Asia is worth more than US$150 million per year. In 2000, the demand for corporate events grew by about six percent. "Even though some countries in the region are facing economic slowdown," he said, "there is still strong demand in the corporate event sector in Asia Pacific. Our research is indicating static if not slight growth for 2002, particularly in the staff training, product launch and convention side of the business." Mr. Armsden added that demand for incentive programmes will remain strong.

Leading experts from the MICE-business events sector will address the Bangkok seminar, which will be opened by H. E. Pongpol Adireksarn, Deputy Prime Minister of Thailand:

* Mr. Bill Calderwood, former Deputy Managing Director for the Australian Tourist Commission, will deliver a presentation on "Leading and Transforming MICE into Business Events"

* Mr. Tom Murphy, CEO of EventClicks, will discuss "The Art of MICE Solutions - The Real Business of Information Technology"

* Mr. Kajit Habanananda, former President, Lions Club International, will talk about "Winning the Bid - 2008 Lions Club International in Thailand"

In addition there will be in-depth discussions about MICE expectations and critical demands and profiles of important MICE markets. These subjects will be addressed by top-end event operators such as Mr. Jacques Arnoux, Chairman, Pacific World, Hong Kong SAR; Mr. Sumate Sudasna, Managing Director, Creative Destination Management, Thailand; Mr. David Barret, Manager Events, Diethelm Events, Thailand; Mr. Alwin Zecha, Executive Chairman, Pacific Leisure, Thailand; and Mr. David Holden, Director Marketing, Royal Cliff Resort & the Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall, Thailand.

There will be closing addresses by Ms. Juthamas Siriwan, Deputy Governor of the Tourism Authority of Thailand and Mr. Luzi Matzig, Chairman of the PATA Thailand Chapter.

Registration for the one-and-a half day seminar costs US$120 for PATA members, Chapter members and members of the Society of Incentive Travel Executives (SITE) Thailand Chapter, the Thailand Incentive & Convention Association (TICA) and the Trade Exhibition Association (TEA). The fee is US$200 for non-members.