Thailand Announces "ISO 20121" Event Sustainability Management Systems

FRANKFURT, Germany, June 6, 2012 /PRNewswire-Asia/ -- Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (or "TCEB") is collaborating with SGS to introduce the ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems to the MICE players. Thailand will be the first country in Asia to launch the standard in July, as the 2012 Olympic Games are staged in London. The new standards aim to elevate Thailand's MICE industry to meet world standards.

Launching the initiative IMEX 2012 in Frankfurt, Mrs. Nichapa Yoswee, Director of MICE Capabilities Department of TCEB commented, "Thailand, by TCEB, has all along been the leader in spearheading Green initiatives, especially in MICE industry for the past 5 years. TCEB's core missions, capacity buildings, and capabilities development are the essential agendas in driving MICE industry forward. The international standards are deployed as one of those significant tools in benchmarking our competency against world standard."

As for sustainability concept, the process started with the launching of a national Green Meetings standard four years ago; the industry's response was highly positive and today all Thailand's major MICE operators are familiar with the standard, with over 80 MICE companies joining the programme. Thailand also has over 170 hotels certified as 'Green Accommodation', and all world class venues have applied the standard. Furthermore, Thailand ranked first in Asia and in the top ten cities globally in terms of meetings environmental sustainability standards. Bangkok has been ranked to the top city in Asia for Green Meetings. The reference is from the 'Leadership in Sustainability: The Why and The How' survey organized by global event management association MCI as part of their UFI Annual Conference 2010.

Globally, MICE industry is now gearing to sustainable conscious. The sustainable corporation can create profit for its shareholder while protecting the environment and improving the lives of those with whom it interacts. It operates its business interests and also the interest of the environment and society intersects. As sustainability is becoming increasingly important for the event industry over the world, TCEB found an opportunity to lift up the level of Green Meetings to ISO 20121 Event Sustainability Management Systems first in Asia. Moreover, the ISO 20121 will be applied for the management in London Olympics which will be occurred this year.

"TCEB joins pact with SGS, the world's leading inspection, verification and certification company, which is encouraging Thailand MICE operators to gain ISO 20121 certification and is providing support with a raft of training and education programmes. TCEB aims to uplift the Thai MICE industry, ensuring Thailand remains a destination of choices for MICE delegates around the world. We also help by supporting operators with a subsidy of 70 percent of the total fees for ISO 20121 accreditation, representing Euros 75,000 in 2012."

"TCEB is confident that the standard will raise the profile of Thailand's event industry, allow events across the world to work within a recognized common framework and make a genuine contribution to sustainable development. Broad industry complied with ISO 20121 should also bring significant financial rewards to Thailand's MICE sector, and showcase the strength of the country's potential to host world events in compliance with the standard as required for mega events such as the World Expo. Thailand is bidding to host the World Expo in 2020 under the theme of 'Redefine Globalization: Balanced Life, Sustainable Living," Mrs. Nichapa concluded.

Thailand has 8 international convention centres as 'Green Venues': IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Queen Sirikit National Convention Center (QSNCC), Bangkok International Trade & Convention Center (BITEC), Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), Royal Phuket Marina International Exhibition & Convention Centre, Bangkok Convention Centre at Central World, Royal Paragon Hall, and Prince of Songkla University International Convention Center (PSUICC).

For more information, please visit website of Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau at www.tceb.or.th.

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