Both Thailand and Singapore will be hosting several large-scale business events in the coming months, and while two of Thailand’s wins are at the expense of Singapore, the latter has gone on to secure others in the competitive business events arena.
Herbalife Asia Pacific Extravaganza 2024 will draw 25,000 participants to IMPACT Arena, Bangkok from May 9-12. An industry source told TTGmice that Herbalife’s May 2023 event was “the last Extravaganza to be held in Singapore”.
“Herbalife recognises the strong partnership and well-developed resources in Thailand, including its products and services. Therefore, Thailand will be taken into consideration for their future events,” indicated Supanich Thiansing, director of meetings and incentives department, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB).
However, TTGmice understands that Herbalife will revert to regional splits between North and South-east Asia in 2025. Regional editions – South-east Asia, China and North Asia – were held in Thailand in 2017 and 2018, before the pandemic, where group sizes ranged from 10,000 to 20,000 pax.
Another event that has made the move from Singapore to Thailand is Money 20/20. Last held in Singapore in 2019, this fintech event will instead be taking place at Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) in Bangkok, and is expected to draw about 4,000 participants.
Also happening at QSNCC on May 17, 2024, is FIFA Congress 2024, and the 32nd Congress of the International Society on Thrombosis and Haemostasis from June 22-26. The events are expected to welcome 1,300 and 7,000 attendees respectively.
Meanwhile in October, some 20,000 Unicity delegates – double the attendance in 2022 – will return to IMPACT Arena, Bangkok for the Global Leadership and Innovation Conference 2024.
Elsewhere in the country, China’s Infinitus, which has held its annual event in Thailand for over a decade, will gather 3,500 delegates in Noong Nooch, Pattaya from May 12-19.
Supanich said: “Thailand continues to be a trusted destination for large-scale M&I groups due to our enduring client relationships, calibre of service providers, allure of new attractions, and the support of the Thai government. These are not exclusive to Bangkok; they are also present in Pattaya, Phuket, and nearby cities.”
Still, Singapore is still drawing new conferences and exhibitions despite murmurs among organisers and attendees about high costs.
The World Congress of Anaesthesiologists which happened earlier from March 3-7 will be followed by the CeMAT Southeast Asia and Rotary International Convention (May 15-17), NRF 2024: Retail’s Big Show Asia Pacific (June 11-13), and Global Sustainable Tourism Council Global Conference (November 13-16).
As Yap Chin Siang, Singapore Tourism Board’s deputy chief executive, put it: “We remain committed to investing in new MICE products and experiences, and we invite event organisers and planners to co-create business events with us that yield meaningful outcomes.”
The Singapore MICE Advantage Programme has also been strengthened with new partners, shopping vouchers, discounts and complimentary experiences, while the Singapore Incentives & Rewards (INSPIRE) programme will run until January 31, 2026.
