speaker-photo

Sumate Sudasna (Thailand)

President Emeritus, Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA) . 1st Vice President, AFECA . Managing Director, CDM - Conference & Destination Management

Mr. Sumate Sudasna is a highly respected veteran of the hospitality and business events industry, with more than five decades of professional experience. Beginning his career in Bangkok’s leading hotels in 1972, he later transitioned into the business events sector, where he became a prominent leader and advocate for destination management and international meetings. He is best known for his long-standing leadership with the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), where he served as President for eight terms and was subsequently conferred the title of President Emeritus. Mr. Sumate is also actively involved at the regional level through AFECA, where he serves as 1st Vice President, and is an Honorary Member of SITE after over 30 years of contribution. He is the founder of CDM – Conference & Destination Management, a family-owned DMC and PCO serving premium global clients.

9.00 AM | Plenary

DAY 2 (Thursday) 5th February

Strategy Gap : How Associations Lead Business Events Industry Transformation

Plenary Session IV (55 minutes) : Associations shape industries, influence policy, and set professional standards. As the landscape evolves, leaders must go beyond events to deliver lasting value. This session explores strategies to strengthen relevance, sustainability, and global impact.