THE ASIAN Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaus’ (AACVB) approved a revised membership structure on Tuesday to welcome a broader range of members.
The new structure comprises three membership categories – full country CVB, associate city-level CVB and association industry partners. The latter category includes venue operators, DMCs, PCOs and industry associations. Annual membership fees are US$5,000 for full CVB members, US$3,000 for associated CVB members and US$500 for associate industry members.
Paul Kanjanapas, managing director of Impact Exhibition Management, which operates Impact Exhibition and Convention Center, said the US$500 fee was not expensive and he was likely to join. “However, we are not expecting any sales leads, other than networking and access to information on other members,” he said.
Cambodia Ministry of Tourism deputy director for marketing and promotion, Lor Thoura, expressed interest and told the Daily that he would table the opportunity with the tourism minister.
However, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association president Sumate Sudasna said it already had access to regional industry peers as a member of the Asian Federation of Exhibition and Convention Associations, which charges under US$500 for annual membership. “We want to know whether we can share comments and recommendations, which will be used to push the government for more support,” he said.
By Sirima Eamtako
