Opening of Northern MICE Expo 2026

September 30

TCEB Launches First Northern MICE Expo 2026 in Chiang Mai
Chiang Mai, 30 September 2026 – The Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) has launched the inaugural Northern MICE Expo 2026 at InterContinental Chiang Mai The Mae Ping, bringing together northern Thailand’s MICE cities, emerging destinations and industry partners to strengthen the regional economy and create new business opportunities.
Held under the theme “Northern MICE: Connecting Opportunities, Creating Business,” the event showcases the North’s MICE potential, products and services across the full value chain, with a focus on transforming cultural heritage, local knowledge and regional strengths into business opportunities, investment and sustainable income for local communities.
A key highlight of the event was the announcement of the Northern MICE City Declaration, bringing together leaders from the three major northern MICE Cities — Chiang Mai, Phitsanulok and Chiang Rai — alongside high-potential destinations and partners across the MICE value chain. The declaration reflects a shared commitment to using the MICE industry as a strategic tool for regional economic development.
Dr. Supawan Teerarat, President of TCEB, also delivered a keynote address titled “Northern MICE Vision: Shift for Impact and Change for Growth,” outlining the role of the MICE industry in generating long-term economic and social benefits.
The expo is driven by TCEB Northern Region’s three key strategies: Uplift, Upskill and Upscale.
Under MICE Uplift Destination, a forum on developing cities through the MICE industry explored how local identity and cultural assets can be transformed into internationally competitive MICE products. The session featured leading MICE expert Krisanee Srisatin together with representatives of UNESCO Creative Cities in northern Thailand.
The MICE Upskill Business programme featured a special talk by Dr. Pun-Arj Chairatana on investment opportunities within northern Thailand’s MICE industry, highlighting new areas for innovation, creativity and business growth within the Lanna MICE ecosystem.
Meanwhile, MICE Upscale People included the panel discussion “Turning CNX to Tech Business Event,” bringing together specialists in innovation, technology, sustainable MICE, the private sector and academia to explore opportunities for developing Chiang Mai and the wider North as destinations for academic conferences, technology events and future-focused business gatherings.
The event also features a MICE Marketplace with more than 50 organisations showcasing products and services. A B2B business-matching programme connects 50 northern MICE suppliers — including hotels, convention venues, organisers, destination management companies, MICE communities, local product producers and related organisations — with qualified buyers from across Thailand.
TCEB has also announced plans for the Northern MICE Expo to rotate among MICE Cities throughout northern Thailand, with Phitsanulok named as host of Northern MICE Expo 2027.
Positioned as a strategic MICE city in the lower North, Phitsanulok serves as an important centre for trade, transportation, agriculture and traditional Thai medicine, while also offering significant historical and cultural assets.
Northern MICE Expo 2026 therefore marks an important step in strengthening northern Thailand’s position as a quality MICE destination, while encouraging collaboration across the industry and creating wider economic opportunities for businesses and local communities throughout the region.
For more information: TCEB Northern Regional Office Tel: +66 (0) 2694 6000 ext. 6416 Email: nrgo@tceb.or.th Facebook: Northern MICE Thailand