BARCELONA - The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), together with 23 private sector firms, will target European clients at EIBTM by emphasizing the advantages of TCEB's "Thailand Maximize" financial incentives and value-added services.

Led by Deputy Prime Minister Sanan Kajornprasart and newly appointed TCEB President Akapol Sorasuchart, the Thai delegation will also promote Thailand as an exotic, high service, creative and affordable MICE destination in Madrid and Paris.

"Thailand offers unbeatable value for money for companies and associations which need to prove value to shareholders and deliver a high quality convention or incentive meeting," said Akapol. "We're aiming for 15% growth in the European long-haul MICE market in 2010, about 16 % of the country�s total. Average-spend per day by MICE visitors in Thailand is 12,000 baht."

The main thrust of TCEB's marketing bid at EIBTM is to get the business event industry to fully understand the breadth and depth of the "Thailand Maximize" incentive offerings available. "Nowhere else offers more for your business event," is the campaign's slogan.

For example, until 30 September 2010 meetings and incentives groups are eligible for a cash subsidy of 20,000 baht for executive corporate groups of at least 30 people who wish to play golf. Groups of 50 or more can get the same amount to spend on team building activities.

In the "Meetings More Memorable" offer, groups of at least 100 people who stay in Thailand for at least three nights are eligible for a free trip to the Grand Palace in Bangkok or to join a green outing to plant seedlings.

The "Power of Women" promotion rewards groups of at least 30 female executives with a free spa treatment, shopping trip or golf tournament.

For incentive groups using Thailand's beach resorts of Krabi or Pattaya, "Connection Plus" offers a choice of sea canoe trips, live bands, excursions to a floating market, or a catamaran trip. Groups may prefer to give back to the local community by choosing a sponsored CSR activity instead.

As part of the Thai government's "Creative Economy" campaign, TCEB is running the Thailand Creative Event Award. On 15 February 2010, awards will be given to the most creative events held in Thailand over the last five years. Entries will be selected based on originality, innovation, budget maximization and use of Thai resources. The events should focus on cultural and sustainable practices.

Submissions can be made online at http://www.tceb.or.th/tcea until 31 January 2010.

Thailand expected a total of 1,700 business appointments, so the event provides a highly attractive opportunity to build new MICE business for Thailand and from the overall meetings & incentives industry perspective, TCEB anticipates 250 events in 2010, with up to 401,400 visitors, and expected revenues from MICE events of up to Baht 25 billion.

Note-to-Editor

Conditions apply to all of TCEB's promotional offers. Full details can be found by visiting www.tceb.or.th.