THE RECENTLY-formed Vietnam MICE Club (TTG Asia e-Daily, August 18) has attracted 12 members to-date, and is on track to reach a total of 30 by year-end.
Club members joining its inaugural trade show participation at IT&CMA 2011 in Bangkok last week included Center of Incentive Tours and Events, Rex Hotel Saigon and Furama Resort Danang.
According to Vietnam MICE Club president Gilbert Whelan, the organisation has budgeted to participate in eight trade shows in its first year of operations, including IT&CMA, World Travel Market in the UK, IMEX in Germany, AIME in Australia and EIBTM in Spain.
“Although we are not the official national tourism organisation, we will be presenting our club stand as a country’s pavilion in all the trade shows,” he said.
Whelan added that members had been allowed to participate free-of-charge in two shows—IT&CMA and International Travel Expo in Hong Kong.
Even though the club is aiming to take a proactive approach in promoting Vietnam as a MICE destination, Whelan said he would leave it up to clients which members they preferred to award business to.
“We will focus on the marketing activities only,” he said.
By Sirima Eamtako
