Setting up National Board to build Thailand’s "Green Branding" at Global Level

Bangkok / 7 July 2010 – The Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization) or TCEB is moving forward to the ‘Green Concept’ by supporting the ‘Go Green Exhibition’ for a second year. Moving ahead with its commitment to conservation within the trade fair industry, TCEB has established a pool of over 30 organizations from the private and public sectors in order to develop a coherent national strategic plan on environmental conservation for Thailand’s exhibition industry. The goal is set to promote a national agenda to build global recognition for the Thailand ‘Green Exhibitions’ brand.

Mr Akapol Sorasuchart, the President of the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau commented on the 2nd Go Green Exhibition: “Based on the success of last year’s ‘Go Green Exhibition’ which served as a pilot project to attract private sector participation, 35 relevant organizations in the exhibition industry have now joined this initiative. This year we plan to extend the project in order to generate broader understanding within the private sector of the importance of environmental conservation, in order to help put policy into practice.

The Go Green Exhibition (Year 2) aims to promote an excellent environmental practice in the exhibition industry. This year’s event is mainly focused on raising awareness of the roles of the public and private sectors and civil society in addressing the environmental crisis, and in working together to develop the first “National Environmental Strategy for the Exhibition Industry”. A “National Environment Board for the Exhibitions Industry” will be established to promote environmental best practice within the industry, marketing strategies under the ‘Green Branding’ concept, and more efficient use of natural resources.

“TCEB has used the concepts of ‘sustainability and branding for Green Exhibition’ as a framework in developing this strategic plan, in order to develop the exhibition industry on a sustainable and globally accepted path. With the public and private sectors joining together to generate new ideas, I am confident that we can map out a clear trajectory for developing the industry following the government’s ‘Green Branding’ policy. Also this will help us in gaining a clear understanding of industry’s needs and expectations of support from the government. We have joined with the Thai Exhibitions Association (TEA) and the Global Association of the Exhibition Industry (UFI) in order to develop the industry in line with international standards. Our aim is to provide a framework for our exhibitions industry that is internationally recognized and applicable in the Thai context. Moreover, the establishment by TCEB of a National Environmental Board for the exhibitions industry will serve an important role in driving implementation of green policy in the future” Mr Akapol said.

Mrs Supawan Teerarat, TCEB Exhibition Director, commented, “Our aim is to boost and attract key organizations from both public and private sectors in the exhibition industry and encourage them to adopt green policies. This is why TCEB originally set up the Go Green Exhibition Award programme, which invited organizers, exhibitors, freight forwarders, etc to submit their business plans to the award. These business plans have to demonstrate incorporation of the green concept in all aspects of the operation, from administration, environmental conservation outside the organization, as well as in day to day operation of the business. The winners will receive support from TCEB in presenting and promoting their plans at international level. We will also support them as model ‘Green Organizations’ as examples of best practice at national level.”

“The ‘Go Green Exhibition Award’ is the starting point for setting up a National Strategic Environmental Plan for the exhibitions industry, with cooperation between TCEB, TEA and UFI. Those interested can obtain application forms directly from TCEB or from www.greenmeetingsthailand.com and submit in either Thai or English from now until the deadline which is 1 October 2010.

In conclusion, Mr Akapol added, “We are confident that the establishment of this national strategic plan will help not only in strengthening competitiveness and sustainable growth of Thailand’s exhibition industry. It will also boost visibility and recognition of Thailand on the world stage as a leader in incorporating environmental best practice into day-to-day business operations. We hope that this effort can also foster a higher level of participation of civil society in implementing environmental policies, and help us achieve or targets for ‘Green Branding’ in the future.”

For further details, please contact:
Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (Public Organization), or TCEB
Kh Parichat Svetasreni (Senior Manager)
Tel 0-2694-6092 or 08-1-840-4701
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Kh Sumet Kanchanapan (Manager) Tel 0-2694-6096 or 08-9-214-5141
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