Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus (AACVB) gears up to promote Asia as a hub for Meetings Incentives Conventions and Exhibitions (MICE)

The AACVB announced its commitment to promote Asia as a MICE hub, at the 20th AACVB Annual General Meeting and the 2nd Asian Meeting Industry Leaders’ Summit, held between October 5 and 6 in Bangkok. Although AACVB was established in 1983, the newly-announced management changes and action plan reflect a new high level commitment and unity of purpose to drive the future of the regional MICE industry. Destinations around the region have given their strong backing to AACVB’s members due to the growing importance of the MICE sector to national economies across Asia. At the event, top Asian MICE industry leaders from Mainland China, Malaysia, the Philippines, Hong Kong, Macau, South Korea and Thailand developed a new action, focusing on 5 key goals for Asia’s MICE industry; · AACVB plans to raise its members’ share of the global convention market · World-class standards in Asia’s MICE sector are to be established.
· Asian branding for MICE products and services are to be developed and promoted
· MICE business will be promoted as a key economic driver in the region. · Communication and collaboration among members will be facilitated, in order to ensure effective and successful market positioning and competitive strategy. The meeting also discussed the expansion of its membership base to facilitate wider networking. As a result, the AACVB’s by-laws have been amended, re-defined to state that “…membership in AACVB will be available to MICE Destination Marketing Organizations (DMOs) which are responsible for developing MICE business in the “Asian market region” and MICE related registered enterprises within a voting member’s destination.”. Changes in AACVB’s organization were also announced at the event. Mr.Natwut Amornvivat Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau president was elected as AACVB’s new president. Executive Director of the Philippines Convention and Visitors Corporation, Mr.Daniel L.Corpuz was elected as AACVB Vice-President, and Mr. João Manuel Costa Antunes, Director of the Macau Government Tourist Office, voted to serve as AACVB secretary and treasurer. Mr. Amornvivat stated that “ This is a clear sign that the association is in harmony to move
ahead with a clear plan to make Asia as one of the world’s leading region for MICE. “The success of this meeting reflects the seriousness and commitment among all members. AACVB’s members are working even harder to break down boundary barriers to promote Asia as a major MICE destination’. Mr. Amornvivat indicated that AACVB’s plans will be clarified when its new strategic plan will be finalized at its next meeting in Macau on 24th October. Mr. Amornvivat added that Asia has major potential to become a key global MICE destination. The region is the world’s fastest-growing economy, especially China and India. All destinations are also more diverse as a selling point to attract corporate clients. Joining hands between members will also help increase regional competitiveness. AACVB was founded in 1983 in Manila, the Philippines; Macau has hosted the headquarters and permanent secretariat of the Association since 1987.