Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) is working with universities to produce young professionals to serve rising demand in the meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions (Mice) sector.
As the government invests in various infrastructure projects and the private sector accelerates its business activities, the Mice sector should also experience benefits, said Supawan Teerarat, senior vice-president for strategic business development and innovation at TCEB.
Economic growth and state infrastructure projects have drawn interest from international firms who want to showcase their technologies at trade shows, exhibitions and business-matching events in Thailand. Mice activities are on the rise and are set to increase the number of visitors to Thailand in the years to come, she said.
This year some 36.3 million people from Thailand and abroad are expected to participate in Mice-related businesses, including exhibitors, event visitors, buyers and suppliers.
Mice is estimated to contribute 180 billion baht to the economy this year.
Mrs Supawan said TCEB will not focus on the number of people involved in Mice for next year, but instead will try to encourage more spending and longer stays. The Mice business is expected to expand by about 6% in 2019.
To prepare for future growth, TCEB is collaborating with 15 universities such as Mahidol University, Khon Kaen University, Silpakorn University, Prince of Songkla University and Chiang Mai University to offer the "Mice Student Chapter" programme, which started earlier this year, providing intensive Mice courses.
About 100 students from different universities have participated so far in the programme. The number should rise to more than 1,000 students by the end of this year, she said.
Participating students have the opportunity to work with leading Mice companies or get training, obtain a scholarship or travel overseas as part of an exchange programme.
TCEB signed an agreement with Mice organisations in Taiwan, Hong Kong, Australia and Britain for the exchange programme.
On the domestic front, TCEB has teamed up with several alliances, namely the Business of Creative and Event Management Association (EMA), Thai Exhibition Association, Thai Hotels Association (THA), Thailand Incentive and Convention Association, and the Mice Academic Cluster, to strengthen the student chapter programme.
"Thailand's manpower is the best in Southeast Asia in terms of service quality. However, Thais need to improve their English and second-language skills in order to enhance Mice standards," said Mrs Supawan.
Speaking at the same event Wednesday, Sermkhun Kunawong, president of EMA, said the Mice business has a high marketing value and needs a large number of specialised personnel to enter the market and drive the industry. A knowledgeable workforce will increase the industry potential and create a significant impetus for economic development in the country.
Meanwhile, THA president Sapawan Tanomkieatipume said as with other businesses, the Mice sector needs a lot of skilled personnel to operate events.
There is also a broad range of careers in Mice-related businesses, such as production of interactive software and hardware, performing strategic marketing services, light and sound equipment provision -- all spheres that need specialised staff.
