Human Resources Department at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center sprinkles KLA MICE program with Muang Thong Thopia MICE Walk Rally

Published : 2023-06-26

Human Resources Department at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center sprinkles KLA MICE program with Muang Thong Thopia MICE Walk Rally, welcoming high school seniors throughout Thailand to showcase event management ideas

Bangkok Thailand – Director of the Corporate Human Resources Department Thamita Chongswatvorakul has fortified Kla MICE program, which was initially debuted in 2019 to support the Thai hospitality and event industry by training students in their sophomore and junior year and equipping them with the essential foundations of event management through an internship. Newly introduced this year includes a new program dubbed “Muang Thong Topia MICE Walk Rally” that welcomes high school seniors throughout Thailand to showcase their innovative event management ideas for a chance to win a 25000-baht scholarship. Thamita also points out that a large number of organizations across the country have reported that their corporate human resources are facing staff shortages of skilled, qualified candidates. Running an online business using social media to sell products, performing freelance work, and working on a per-project basis to name a few are the obstacles that many companies are experiencing. Highly experienced workers who once worked for a company but decided to quit their job to embark on a new journey may find themselves happier being their own boss thus may never return to a 9-5 job again. Recruitment teams will soon work harder to hunt for well-versed candidates who have a good work ethic, and HR leaders must rectify the obstacles all at once to retain their best employees.

Companies at large adapt to digital transformation and leverage technology as a means to subside the labor shortage, and while human capital is still at the core of our business: exhibitions, conventions, meetings, concerts, and catering service, the human resources department thus uses various trainings comprising teamwork, language, leadership, and emotional intelligence combined with new technology-driven innovations as tools to enhance employee performance. In 2018, the company kicked off R2i project to stimulate employee creativity as well as innovative ideas, serving as a stage for participating departments to present their innovations. Moreover, we focus on employee well-being, which can be achieved by allowing employees to work across departments as well as getting a part-time job. Our employees have an option to work across departments to foster relationships with other colleagues and work with them on collaborative projects. They are welcome to work part-time to earn extra income.

The coronavirus outbreak has turned the world upside down causing HR professionals, among many others, to restructure their strategies, rethink the way they communicate with employees, and adapt to a new generation. In the same way, new hires need to adapt to a new environment and get accustomed to the organizational culture and system.

To find creative solutions for keeping the industry moving forward, our HR launched a program called “Kla MICE” in 2019 offering the unique opportunity for students to connect with and learn from industry leaders from inside and outside the industry as well as gain hands-on experience from multiple departments where they take part in numerous projects supervised by senior executives and managers. While nearly 60% out of the 1st and 2nd generation graduates are pursuing their careers in the event industry, the 3rd generation students, totaling 106, follow suit, followed by the 4th generation, expected to complete the course by the end of June 2023.

Tamtid Paoin, HR Assist Manager – Employer Branding, adds “The Human Resources Department will soon be accepting new applications. We highly encourage sophomores and juniors to partake in this comprehensive summer course to gain hands-on experience from well-versed industry professionals. We expect the 4th generation in the neighborhood of 32 students to finish the course by June 2023.”

Sophomores and Juniors are anticipated to complete theoretical and practical training that are categorized into 3 sections as the following. 1) Classroom: students will find inspiration and learn from experts in their field of interest; 2) Job Shadowing: students follow an expert, perform on-the-job training, and closely observe expert performing the role; and 3) Event Organizing: students get to practice and use their out-of-class knowledge in a real situation.

New to this year’s program is Muang Thong Topia MICE Walk Rally, which has been held successfully. High schools seniors throughout Thailand convened to showcase their innovative event management ideas for a chance to win a 25,000-baht scholarship. This year’s KLA MICE program is more flexible compared to the previous years where students were limited to hosting an exhibition under a specific theme.

A total of 24 teams entered this year’s contest taking place on June 13, 2023 at the IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center. The first place was Secret Angel from Sarawittaya school. We love to see and encourage high school students and college students to take part in the 5th edition of KLA MICE program and stay tuned via Facebook Fan Page: Kla MICE, concluded Thamita.”