Members
of an alliance aimed at strengthening Asia’s meetings industry have floated preliminary details of a new event aimed at international association professionals.
The
Asia Convention Alliance will host the ACA Association Forum (ACAAF) whose debut
edition, #ACAAF1, will be held at the 62nd ICCA Congress in Bangkok next year.
News of the initiative followed a meeting
of ACA’s founding members at IMEX America 2022, one of the largest trade shows
in North America for the meetings and events industry.
Further details have yet to be announced.
The
founding members, comprising Thailand Convention Bureau (TCEB), Thailand
Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), Malaysia Convention &
Exhibition Bureau (MyCEB), Seoul Tourism Organization (STO), and Taiwan
External Trade Development Council (TAITRA), met to discuss future programmes to be undertaken by the alliance.
Bilateral
MOUs were signed between MyCEB and STO as well as STO and TAITRA.
Members
of the alliance share business leads between members in the hope of restoring
the region's business events industry following the pandemic.
Chiruit
Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya, president of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau
(TCEB) said: “Since the day Thailand initiated the formation of Asia Convention
Alliance TCEB has been a firm believer in its potential. It has been an honour
working closely with all the founding members on this exciting journey that
fosters the regional collaboration and paves the way towards our first event’s
debut.
Dato'
Sri Abdul Khani Daud, CEO of Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau said: “It
is gratifying to see the members contributing to elevate our business events
industry.
Ki
Yon Kil, president and CEO of Seoul Tourism Organisation, said the partnership had
helped, ‘overcome difficult times together’ with ‘collaboration and cooperation’.
Simon
Wang, president and CEO of Taiwan External Trade Development Council, added: “Convention
activities are an important platform for promoting economic growth. ACA is a
prime example of how the Asian MICE industry uses creativity, resilience, and
commitment to come back stronger after the pandemic.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
