As the world at large continues to place an increased emphasis on our growing environmental challenges, the need for a strong sustainable events industry has never been more important. Thanks to the continued support of organizations like TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau), Thai MICE organizers are better equipped than ever to adapt sustainable practices into their business structures.
There are a variety of international certification standards implemented by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) worldwide that apply to the meetings and events industry—including ISO 20121: Events Sustainability Management Systems, which debuted during the 2012 London Olympic Games. Thailand became just the second country in the world after the United Kingdom to implement the ISO 20121 business framework standard for MICE operators.
The ISO 20121 certification applies to all types and sizes of business event organizers. This includes everything from caterers, lighting and sound engineers, security companies, stage builders and venues to independent business event organizers and corporate and public sector event teams.
These certifications help event organizers differentiate themselves in Bangkok’s highly competitive events market and improve their chances of winning new business through the pitching process.
Here are six important things to remember about ISO 20121 as recommended by the official ISO 20121 organization:
1. ISO 20121 is a specification
The standard helps to clarify the management systems that organizations need to establish sustainable practices. All of these must be in place before a company can earn ISO 20121.
2. There is no checklist
Rather than a checklist of things organizations need to do, ISO 20121 is more of a guide to developing the management systems required for certification.
3. The document is difficult to understand
ISO 20121 is a complex document, and is best understood with the help of various ISO 20121 resources and guides available online.
4. The certification is all about management
ISO 20121 is all about clarifying the management processes needed to achieve certification in the events and exhibitions industry. This means that it is the management system, not the event itself, which receives the certification.
5. This means companies have to adopt new practices
Very few event companies will have these practices in place already, so most will need to change their internal management systems. The official ISO 20121 organization states that most companies are around 70 percent compliant with standard requirements.
6. There are no performance requirements
There are no guidelines for exactly what sustainability issues to manage or what performance targets to reach. Instead, organizations need transparent practices that accurately identify the needs in their specific industry.
six Thailand mice organizations certified ISO 20121
Plaza Athénée Bangkok, A Royal Meridien Hotel
This luxury 5-star hotel located at the heart of Bangkok is the world’s first to receive the ISO 20121 certification.
Queen Sirikit National Convention Center
Features approximately 65,000 square meters of space, and regularly welcomes events of up to 5,000 visitors a day or exhibitions with 900 booths.
Sampran Riverside
Originally formed in 1962, the space sits just an hour’s drive from Bangkok and includes 70 acres of certified organic gardens by the river.
ICC Hat Yai
Located just 9km from the Hat Yai International Airport, it’s extremely convenient to get to and provides everything you need for a top-tier event.
Kingsmen C.M.T.I. Plc.
This large event space in Ramkhamhaeng has played host to everything from international car shows and carnivals to large expos and design events.
CPN's Chiang Mai Hall
This MICE venue from Central Pattana is the first convention center in the north of Thailand to recieve the ISO 20121 certification.
What is MICE?
M – Meetings
I – Incentives
C – Conventions
E – Exhibitions & Events
Brought to you by 
MICE Capabilities
Tcebmicecap
