Asia Convention Alliance (ACA) was initiated by Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) and Thailand Incentive & Convention Association in collaboration with Malaysia Convention & Exhibition Bureau, Seoul Tourism Organization and Taiwan External Trade Development Council to jointly promote the convention industry in Asia.
Following regular meetings, lead sharing and business discussions, ACA member organisations have decided to hold the inaugural ACA Association Forum.
“ACA has been consistent and proactive in its commitment to enhancing the strength of the region as a destination for MICE and, especially, association meetings,” said Nooch Homrossukhon, TCEB’s director of conventions.
The inaugural forum will have a modest start, projecting about 100 delegates from the region’s 20 established associations as well as other international delegates.
Issues to be addressed include diversity, equity and inclusion (DE&I) and Environmental, Social and Governance (ESG) practices in line with the United Nation’s Sustainable Development Goals.
The forum will also discuss how convention bureaus can partner with associations in staging events, share expertise with business events industry stakeholders and facilitate further development.
“We are confident that short- and medium-haul markets like Australasia will benefit from ACA’s collaborative efforts, such as its agreement in ensuring subvention programs for ACA-qualified, rotating event(s); event support and assistance for conventions including planning, insight sharing …[and] cross-promoting; network and business development and knowledge exchange,” said Homrossukhon.
ACA will consider expanding its membership to cover more countries and territories. She revealed to micenet that there is some “promising interest” from Asia Pacific-based convention bureaux already.
