At the 2017 International Convention and Exhibition Industry CEO Shanghai Summit, leading figures from the exhibition industry at home and abroad delivered insightful speeches. The Secretariat of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association has compiled the key points from the transcripts and will publish them in installments:
Time of speech: Morning of June 19, 2017
Topic: Opening Remarks at the 2017 International Convention and Exhibition Industry CEO Shanghai Summit
Speaker: Chen Xianjin (President of the Shanghai Convention and Exhibition Industries Association)
Key points of the speech:
Welcome to the Fourth International Convention and Exhibition Industry CEO Shanghai Summit by the Huangpu River in this early summer when "the warm sun brings ripe wheat, and green shade surpasses blooming flowers." Thank you for your support in building Shanghai into an international exhibition capital.
Thanks to the support of industry professionals from home and abroad, the Shanghai Summit has become a platform for exhibition industry leaders to exchange information, explore development, seek partners, and restructure production factors. This year's summit will focus on "China's Exhibition Industry in 2020" and discuss three key issues: how to better leverage the role of the government, how to industrialize capital, and how to upgrade exhibition models to adapt to new consumption trends.
The ancient Chinese sage Confucius said, "When three walk together, one may be my teacher." This summit brings together a distinguished gathering of experts. The one and a half days is short, so we encourage everyone to speak freely and share your views. We hope every guest will benefit greatly from this summit.
Speech time: Morning of June 19, 2017
Speech topic: Better leveraging government functions — Transformation of management roles
Speaker: Kai Hattendorf (Executive General Manager, International Association of Exhibitions and Events)
Key speech points:
The convention and exhibition industry creates a large number of job opportunities and holds an important position in the national economy and society.
There is no fixed model for promoting the convention and exhibition industry. Government authorities should adapt measures to local conditions, fully leverage regional advantages, explore best practice cases, identify unique strengths and competitiveness, formulate and implement joint operational strategies, and flexibly respond to changes in market demand.
China's exhibition industry needs continued development, which requires the support of government departments. Governments can do many things, such as providing excellent venue facilities and convenient transportation, focusing on software facilities required for operations, as well as cultivating talent, providing services, and emphasizing security measures.
Market conditions and market standards must be very reliable and legal. This is very important and should be taken seriously by all competent authorities of the convention and exhibition industry.
Speech time: Morning of June 19, 2017
Speech topic: Better leveraging government role – transformation of management functions
Speaker: Supawan Teerarat (Su Qiran) (Deputy Director of Strategy and Business Development, Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau)
Speech highlights:
Current development status of Thailand's MICE industry and government support policies
The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau formulates national-level MICE policies from two aspects: first, infrastructure development; second, 'Thailand 4.0': Thailand is expanding and investing in various infrastructure projects, with a total investment of 1.9 trillion Thai Baht in road, rail, aviation, and water networks. In addition, the Thai government hopes to transform every industry through financing and drive development with a value-based approach. Core industries include food, agriculture, and biotechnology, extending to food processing, agricultural biotechnology, biofuels, and biochemicals. For the MICE industry, these industries are key targets for development projects, and the MICE industry can coordinate and develop alongside them.
In terms of marketing, the focus is on enhancing the international image of Thailand's MICE industry while also supporting the development of B2B local exhibitions in Thailand, including those in Bangkok and other major cities. Through years of effort, Thailand's MICE industry has ranked first in ASEAN for five consecutive years. Additionally, Thailand provides financial subsidies for overseas exhibitions and helps promote exhibition projects at the government level.