REGIoNAL REAch"Thailand gives us global exposure. Getting visitors from outside Thailand such as Malaysia and China is an added bonus. We absolutely believe we will achieve what we set out to achieve here."Mr Shashank ShahNipha ExportsIndiaExhibitor at Manufacturing Expo"Thailand is easy to travel to and competitively priced. These days, customers are not so keen to travel, so the destination must be attractive. Thailand is also favourable because it can be a destination for both business and leisure." Mr Rene LudvigsenManaging DirectorHeidelberg Graphics Thailand/GermanyExhibitor at Pack Print International"By exhibiting here in Bangkok, we hope to promote Austrian companies in Thailand and ASEAN."Mr christian kieneProject ManagerAdvantage Austria AustriaExhibitor at TIPREXAlso breaking records this year is Pack Print International and TIPREX by Messe Düsseldorf Asia, where visitors came from more than 20 countries. This demonstrates the exhibitions' appeal beyond Thailand as well as the immense value-add that the print, packaging, rubber and plastics industries contribute to Thailand's diverse manufacturing base. ASEAN countries were well-represented: Malaysia, the Philippines and Vietnam sent trade delegations while Singapore staged a national pavilion.Data from Thailand Convention & Ex-hibition Bureau (TCEB) indicate that five of the top 10 countries for overseas exhibition visitors in 2010 were from ASEAN, namely Malaysia (10.7% of total), Singapore (8.4%), Indonesia (5.6%), Philippines (4.9%) and Vietnam (4.6%). Thanks to a familiar culture and improving connectivity, visitors from ASEAN are expected to grow steadily. For its part, TCEB has been actively promoting selected exhibitions throughout ASEAN in partnership with local trade associations and chambers of commerce. By supporting exhibition organisers in their international marketing efforts, it is playing a key role in lifting the profile and boosting the effectiveness of Thailand's exhibitions. TCEB's various incentive programmes continue to reinforce Bangkok's reputation as the exhibition city of ASEAN ahead of the free-trade ASEAN Economic community which will be in force in 2015. www.tceb.or.th/exhibitionsThailand's large automative industry means technology exhibitors always bring their latest to Bangkok.Trade visitors and buyers come from not only Thailand but throughout ASEAN.ASEAN visitors make up 34% of total overseas exhibition visitors in 2010, led by Malaysia, Singapore, Indonesia, Philippines and Vietnam.ADVERTISEMENT

AISLE FOR AN AISLETHE WORLD OF EXHIBITIONS IS NOT SO FAR FROM THE LIKES OF THE SUPERMARKET INDUSTRY. JOCHEN WITT TAKES A LOOK AT THE SIMILARITIES