Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched the third edition of 'Thailand MICE Startup' pairing startups or tech entrepreneurs with MICE entrepreneurs to compete for the best innovation for the MICE industry aimed at uplifting Thailand's post-COVID-19 competitiveness.

According to Mr. Chiruit Isarangkun Na Ayuthaya TCEB's President, the third edition of 'Thailand MICE Startup' has received an impressive interest with as many as 23 applicants. They are required to form a team to develop innovations or solutions that can address the pain points, especially those faced by MICE entrepreneurs during COVID-19 infection. Each startup or tech entrepreneur is required to partner with MICE entrepreneur to ensure the practicalities of those innovations.

The judge committee has now selected five teams for the final round of competition.

"We are excited to see the works of several teams. They have been trying hard to find solutions to a variety of pain points particularly those resulting from COVID-19"

The infection has brought about new "pain points" as event organisers adopt hybrid formats and find themselves in unfamiliar territory. Some are recurring challenges, such as crowd management and tracking delegate engagement, while others are familiar functionalities ready for adaptation for MICE, such as ride-sharing to minimise congestion on the way to events.

Therefore, the judging criteria include return-on-investment for MICE entrepreneurs, impact on the MICE industry, effectiveness in addressing new normal challenges, ability to foster collaboration between MICE entrepreneurs and startups, and practical considerations. 

With support from Thailand's National Innovation Agency (NIA), Digital Economy Promotion Agency (DEPA), and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA), TCEB has structured the 'Thailand MICE Startup' scheme as a pitch contest to harness the power of Thailand's most promising startups.

The five finalists are scheduled to present their working prototype on the DEMO Day on November 18, 2020 when only 3 finalists will be judged to win the first, second and third prizes, which carry a cash prize of 400,000 baht, 200,000 baht, and 100,000 baht respectively.

'Thailand MICE Start-up' is one among several of TCEB's technology-focused assistance schemes designed to help Thailand's MICE entrepreneurs acquire and integrate innovation into their daily operations.