Q&A with Max Jantasuwan

Events Travel Asia managing director talks people management and work-life balance with CEI’s Megan Gell.

Defining career moment? 

My dream was initially working for the mass communication industry as I love to produce movies, but since studying hospitality management my whole dream changed. I love organising events, creating new programmes ideas and looking after clients. I started in the industry in 2002 and never thought I would have my own company. 

Biggest career challenge so far? 

Finding the right talent to work with us and reaching a good work/life balance. It’s not hard to find workers, but it is hard to find the right team member. Business turn-around time is shorter and shorter, so we have to make sure the team is well-rounded and able to work under pressure. You need a good attitude, passion, strong work ethic and management skills. 

Your favourite event? 

Recently I got to work with the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau to organise the first-ever Thailand Incentive Meeting Exchange (TIME) 2016 – China Edition. This was a customised familiarisation trip that gave Thailand’s private sector first-hand market insight and business opportunities, and showed the buyers what Thailand has to offer. We feel honoured and proud to be a part of delivering this event for TCEB, and Thailand as a whole. 

What trends are you noticing? 

One is sustainability, we must adopt some of its elements not only into our work but also our daily lives. Also clients are looking into new technologies and how to make use of them in both meeting and incentive programmes. 

An event you wish you had organised? 

The United Nations (UN) Meeting. It has such high-profile delegates and I love that they are from a global cooperation organisation trying to make our world a better place. And I want to be able to look after their meetings. Also I would like to do more IT and software company events. I enjoy seeing the technologies they are launching and developing – it helps my knowledge and keeps me learning.

This article was first published in the July/August 2017 issue of CEI.