EVENT PROPOSAL Thailand US & UK Education Fair 16 November 2015
Table of Contents Table of Contents 2 Market Update 3 1. Event Objective: Branding / Profile & lead generation 4 2. Benefits of IDP US & UK Education Fair for our United States clients: 5 3. Program Format 6 4. Event Promotion 7 5. Participation Fee 8 6. On-Line Booking 9 7. The Itinerary 10 8. Freight 11 9. Checklist 12-2 -
Market Update Dear Clients Seeking higher education and English language learning remain a popular trend for Thai students due to the competitiveness of the job market in Thailand. When entering the job market, a person that is fluent in other language, especially in English, is a considerable advantage. Thailand s education market is dominated by a demand for post-graduate programmes and English language courses abroad. This is closely followed by students seeking undergraduate and doctoral options. The area of study in highest demand is Business (including MBA and other commerce related programmes). United States is one of the most popular destinations for Thai students (in top two in student visa application number), with its reputation for quality education, globally recognised qualifications, diversity of programs, cutting edge technology, and opportunity to research, teaching and training. Thai Student Profile Generally speaking, the points below should be taken into consideration when taking part in events in Thailand: The majority of Thai students will need to complete an English language course before commencing their academic programme. Most Thai students graduating from the Thai education system will need to complete a foundation course for entry onto their undergraduate course. For English language, price is the main consideration for Thai Students. For other programmes, the institution s reputation is a more significant factor when deciding on their overseas studies. Other factors, such as opportunity to work and proximity to relatives are also considered. Thai students are relatively independent when gathering information about education options however parents play a critical role in the actual decision of where to go and what to study. Many Thai students prefer to study in large, urban locations. Since most Thai students will need to complete an English language course prior to their academic course, there will be a high demand for packaged offers. The timing of the IDP s US & UK Education Fair on November 16, 2015 should allow sufficient time for prospective students to complete their English language courses in time for 2016 academic programmes. Student will be encouraged to submit application prior to or at this event. We would like to encourage all institutions to participate in IDP US & UK Education Fair. We also encourage institutions to contact IDP Thailand to discuss ways in which their business can be further developed in Thailand. Thank you. Wallapa Narunatvanich Thailand Country Director IDP Thailand - 3 -
1 Event Objectives The objectives of the IDP US & UK Education Fair are to: Encourage Thai students and their parents to consider the United States as their first choice premium study destination (especially those seeking to commence study in the Fall of 2016) Target students in all the stages of education, allowing them time to gather information and prepare for the next intake. Showcase pathways to all educational sectors: English language, foundation, undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate. Highlight United State s post-graduate programmes to public sector bodies looking to place scholarship recipients abroad. Event Visitor Profile The majority of visitors to this US & UK Education Fair are likely to have recently completed an undergraduate degree and/or secondary school in Thailand and will be looking to continue their postgraduate and undergraduate study in the United States. A significant proportion of the visiting students will require an English language course prior to commencing their academic program. Most of the students attending this event will be new leads and IDP staff will be on hand at the event to offer a counselling service and direct them towards appropriate institutions. Visitors can be grouped as follows: Majority: Students with an undergraduate degree who are looking for postgraduate and English language options. Students with a postgraduate degree who are looking for doctoral and English language options. Others: International School Students with O-level, A-level, IB Certificates and IB Diplomas who are looking for either foundation or undergraduate degree programmes. Secondary school students (grade 12 or, in Thai, Mathayom 6 ) who are looking for foundation, pathway, undergraduate and English language programmes. Return on Investment for Clients Clients will benefit from the approach taken by IDP which is designed to meet student expectations of having quality interactions with institutional representatives, receiving offer letters on event day (when appropriate) as well as having more in-depth discussions on course requirements and options. - 4 -
2 Benefits of the IDP Study in US & UK Education Fair for clients: 1) Improved conversion The opportunity of promoting the benefits of your institution directly to the student, and the opportunity of providing letters of offer on the day to pre-counselled students who have submitted an application, should contribute significantly to an improved conversion rate. 2) Effective use of representative time Meeting pre-counselled students in an allocated time session will allow for more individual and tailored counselling by the representatives leading to better use of their time in-country on event day. 3) Qualified leads The event will generate new qualified leads for the 2016 intakes. 4) Showcase for the United States Education Continue to build your institution s presence in a mature market which provides a good opportunity to recruit across the entire educational spectrum, from pre-university to postgraduate. The event will also emphasise the reputation of the institutions in the United States as high quality teaching and research destinations to both public and private employers, as well as to professional bodies. 5) Be part of the student experience Representatives will be able to engage directly with students and their families. 3 Programme Format The format for this event will be an information session. Students will be screened and counselled by IDP counsellors prior to meeting relevant institutional representatives. This will allow students time to speak directly to institutional representatives in order to gain advice and information before applying. Students and parents can enquire about eligibility and course curricular on an individual basis. It is anticipated that representatives will be able to speak to parents and students within a time frame of 15-30 minutes. For the convenience of institutional representatives, IDP Thailand staff will provide an application processing service. Each participating institution will be provided with 1 table and 2 chairs. Institutions are reminded to bring along their own display stands. Please note that no display boards will be provided for institutions. A post-event report will be provided to all participating institutions which should assist in a comprehensive evaluation of how the event met the set objectives and expectations. - 5 -
4 Event Promotion An extensive promotional campaign will be undertaken for this event. It will consist of: Print Advertising in both Thai and English newspapers Mobile advertisements and SMS Campaign Radio advertisements Distribution of promotional flyers and posters to English language institutions, schools and universities, targeted prime areas and other relevant institutions Direct mailing of invitations to IDP Thailand s network which includes career advisers and counsellors at schools, universities, companies and government agencies Public relations in the form of press releases Website advertisements and promotion of the event one month prior to the event and for its duration on the IDP Thailand website. In-house Promotion through IDP Thailand office posters and referrals by counsellors Email Blasts to IDP s extensive database as well as to local universities, international schools, colleges and schools - 6 -
5 Participation Fee We do NOT charge participation fee if sign up before 31 August 2015 or $200 after this date. We will provide each participant the following: Venue hire, table and chairs Advertising and promotion One interpreter per booth (no discounts will be given for institutions not requiring an interpreter) Co-ordination and support from dedicated IDP staff Photocopying facilities Application processing area Institution representatives It is understandable that your institution may not have the resources to send more than one person to attend this event. However, if possible, it would useful to have the following: One US based academic representative from your institution s most popular faculty who is familiar with advanced standing for polytechnic students and discipline specific enquires. One representative from the International Office. Each table can accommodate a maximum of 2 people including the interpreter. IDP Thailand Representation Services IDP Thailand can arrange for an IDP staff member to represent an institution at USD$200 should the participating institution was not able to send its own representatives. If institutions wish to take advantage of this service, they should book as early as possible since there will be a limit to the number of IDP Thailand staff members who will be available to offer this service. - 7 -
6 Event Booking The booking for this event will close on Monday August 31, 2015. Please contact Mr Pathunyu Yimsomruay at IDP Bangkok via email: Pathunyu.yimsomruay@idp.com for booking. 7 Itinerary Mon 16th November 2015 Venue: Novotel Siam Square Hotel 13:30 14:00 Institutions to set up booth 14:00 19:00 IDP s US & UK Education Fair 2015 opens to the public 16:30 17:00 Refreshments 19:00 Close up for US & UK Education Fair 2015 * Arranged by IDP staff, at no extra cost. If staying elsewhere or if preferred, participants are welcome to arrange their own transport. AGENTS, LOCAL REPRESENTATIVES and LOCAL PARTNERS Participation is restricted to staff from your institution only. Agents, local representatives and local partners are not permitted to participate in the Information Session. IDP Thailand will process all applications submitted during the Information Session. - 8 -
Accommodation IDP Thailand would like to refer all the participants to stay at these locations. Each of the hotels of the 3 provinces is located in the heart of the city where you will be more convenience to grab a bite to eat, shopping, use the public transportation, and travel to the airport. Especially in Bangkok, please ask the contact person of each hotel for IDP corporate rate. Bangkok IDP Thailand would like to recommend Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel for your stay, and it is due to many reasons. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit is located in the heart of Bangkok on Sukhumvit Road A pedestrian sky bridge link to hotel entrance to BTS Asok Sky Train Station and a few steps from the MRT Sukhumvit subway station which is the easiest and faster way to commute around. Via the commuter lines, just moments from the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the Stock Exchange of Thailand and BITEC(Bangkok International Trade & Exhibition and Convention Center) It is opposite from Terminal 21, which is one of the main department stores of Bangkok, finding multi-cultural restaurants and many of Thailand s finest shops in town. Largest room Size in comparison to other hotel in the city (45 sq. m.) enjoy the sublime comforts of The Luxury Collection Signature Bed, Large walk-in closet, High Speed Internet Access and wireless in room up to 60 Mbps., Standing Shower and Bathtub. Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit Hotel 250 Sukhumvit Rd. Klongtoey Bangkok 10110 Contact: Ms. Aumporn Pornsakhan Tel: + 66 (2) 649 8631 Fax: + 66 (2) 649 8822 Mobile: +66 (84) 362 1762 E-Mail: nok.aumporn@luxurycollection.com Website: Coporate Rate: www.sheratongrandesukhumvit.com Starting at 5,900 Bht Your accommodation details may be passed onto the US Embassy or Consulate in Thailand. Please inform Mr Pathunyu Yimsomruay at IDP Thailand, if you do not wish this to occur: pathunyu.yimsomruay@idp.com - 9 -
8 Freight IDP Bangkok recommends sending the following materials: Foundation/English 50 copies Undergraduate 50 copies Postgraduate 100 copies To avoid Customs delays and to ensure timely delivery, please use the IDP Freight Label attached. All consignments should be correctly labelled and addressed as follows: Attn: Ms Tawin Rungpatchim IDP Education Services Co., Ltd. 4th Floor, CP Tower, 313 Silom Rd, Bangrak, Bangkok 10500 Thailand Tel: + 66 (2) 638 3111 ext 191 Fax: + 66 (2) 231 0530 E-mail: tawin.rungpatchim@idp.com All freight should be dispatched from your institution no later than Friday October 16 th 2015. On the day of dispatch, please fax or email your Airway Bill and Consignment Note numbers to Ms. Yanin Chueaparakij (Bangkok). Facsimile number + 66 (2) 231 0530 or email tawin.rungpatchim@idp.com IDP Education cannot accept responsibility for any taxes or charges, customs clearance, responsibility for missing or delayed freight or transport of materials between venues. To avoid delays, please indicate that you (the sender) will be responsible for all duties/taxes incurred. Do this by noting Free domicile on the airway bill. Visa Requirements US passport holders are permitted to stay in Thailand for up to 30 days by obtaining a (free) 30-day tourist visa on arrival at the airport. Pease check http://www.mfa.go.th/web/12.php for other passport holders. Who Can I Contact? Booking enquiries Domestic Contacts Ms. Carolyn Redmond Manager of Logistics IDP Education 1818 Market Street, Suite 1105, Philadelphia, PA 19103 Direct Dial 215.282.1886 Office 215.282.1880 Cell 201.914.6246 Fax 215.282.1881 Email: carolyn.redmond@idp.com In-country logistic enquiries and for more clarification on the event strategy, format and how it will benefit your institution, please contact: Mr Pathunyu Yimsomruay Marketing Manager, Advertising and Events IDP Thailand Tel: + 66 2 638 3111 ext 198 Fax: + 66 2 231 0530 Email: pathunyu.yimsomruay@idp.com - 10 -
9 Checklist Book your Institution s participation with Mr Pathunyu Yimsomruay via email at Pathunyu.yimsomruay@idp.com by Monday, August 31 st 2015. Book your institution representatives accommodation by faxing the Accommodation Booking Form directly to Sheraton Grande Sukhumvit by Friday October 16 th 2015 Institution s freight to reach ldp Education Services Co., Ltd. by Friday October 16 th 2015. Fax or email your institution s copy of the Airway Bills to Mr Pathunyu Yimsomruay at +66 2231 0530 and Pathunyu.yimsomruay@idp.com on the day your Institution couriers its freight. This event is bound by the Terms & Conditions of Participation, dated 5 September 2011. Participants must not submit a booking form unless they have read and understood the terms applied for participation in this promotion. - 11 -