Spending on marketing events shrinks 15 per cent
Spending on marketing events by firms in the telecom sector and makers of consumer goods dropped by 15 per cent in the first half of the year, the president of public-relations firm Event Management Club said yesterday.
Sermkhun Kunawong attributed the decline to the slowing economy, rising oil prices and political uncertainty. Spending by telecom companies and makers of consumer goods accounts for 60 per cent of the overall value of the Bt12-billion marketing event and exhibition industry. Despite the decreased spending, the industry did benefit from the celebrations surrounding the 60th anniversary of His Majesty the King's accession to the throne, at Muang Thong Thani's Impact Exhibition Centre. The exhibition and related activities are expected to generate about Bt2 billion for the marketing event industry. Sermkhun added that the marketing event industry was expected to pick up during the second half, especially after the general election, when businesses are expected to start spending more on promotional activities. This recovery is expected to boost the growth of the marketing event and exhibition business by 5 per cent this year. Discussing the industry's trend next year, Sermkhun said the Mice (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions) market would post the highest growth, followed by niche markets. Kreingkrai Kanjanapokin, co-chief executive of Index Event Agency, said spending on marketing events by telecom service providers and makers of consumer goods had declined markedly in the first half. He added that automobile companies had spent more on marketing events in the early part of this year when compared with last year.
|
