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Published on February 13, 2008

Event organiser the Index Event Agency yesterday announced it would spend Bt100 million to develop better technology for arranging shows and provide an integrated interactive agency within two years.

Index hopes to lure corporate customers to sign contracts for long-term events and communications services, starting at Bt100 million per contract.

It expects to sign as many as five contracts this year for revenue of Bt1.2 billion, equal to 15-per-cent growth for this year.

The company, through joint ventures with several business alliances, has gradually been developing technology that serves various kinds of shows.

It currently operates nine subsidiaries. Most of its corporate customers are temporary clients.

The firm must constantly pitch for new contracts despite there being a high level of satisfaction among its clients.

By having more corporate contracts, Index says it can ensure continuity in servicing key customers and map its income stream for the next 12 months.

Meanwhile, customers will be able to measure the quality of Index's performance as it upgrades its technology.

The firm will also correct glitches by providing better methods of operations, said Index co-CEO Kriengkrai Kan-chanapokin.

"We expect all contracts to last for at least 12 months, with each one worth at least Bt100 million," he said.

Customers signing such deals are likely to be multinational companies, because they are prepared to pay more for quality communications ser-vices.

He said the company would likely have a new client next month that will sign a three-year contract.

The firm plans to seal deals with five clients each year, with each one contributing 20 per cent of its annual revenue. Last year, new clients provided only 10 per cent of its total earnings.

To showcase its new tech-nology, Index yesterday launch-ed the "Index Group House Warming" event at its headquarters. It runs until Friday.

At the event, potential customers can view its equipment and creative facilities.

Last year, Index recorded Bt1.04 billion in revenue, up 43 per cent from 2006. The performance surpassed that of the entire industry, which registered flat growth.

Of total revenue, Bt655 million came from event organising, which grew 40 per cent. The rest of its business grew 48 per cent.

Other projects this year include joining with a new partner to form a subsidiary called i-Think, a creative house. It also plans to establish a company unit dedicated to organising trade exhibitions.

Kriengkrai did not furnish more information about these projects.

Nitida Asawanipont

The Nation