Hotels must adapt to trends in corporate-meetings market

As conferences become bigger and the need for better facilities grows, local organisers are adapting to shifting trends to make Thailand a top destination for corporate meetings.

"Several companies are now combining their meetings annually instead of holding one every two years," said Srisakun Footrakul, business development and sales manager of Royal Cliff Beach Resort in Pattaya.

"We now need to put together different meetings under the same roof and allow for larger capacities," she said.

"Customers also want more events. Some may want very tall ceilings for big display booths. Heights of 4-5 metres may not be adequate today. Some need exhibition halls that can cope with varied themes."

Royal Cliff is a long-time provider of conferencing facilities, having built the Peach (Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall) 10 years ago. The facility covers 10,000 square metres of exhibition space.

The complex can hold 7,600 people. It is unique in that the hall is within walking distance of its four hotels, which together have 1,100 rooms and 10 restaurants.

Located between Jomtien and Pattaya beaches, it has proven popular with overseas firms, Srisakun said.

Another trend is the need for local hosts to show that they are environmentally responsible.

While attending the Imex 2008 convention in Frankfurt last month, she found more companies now require venues to be active in joining the fight against climate change.

"The Green-Leaf concept is becoming very strong, particularly among European customers. We have to start our own programmes," she said.

Plastic is seen as detrimental to the environment, being non bio-degradable. "We use glass bottles instead of plastic ones as they can be recycled," Srisakul added.

While Vietnam may pose a stiff rival for conferencing, Srisakul said the Kingdom was still ahead. But the sector will need strong state support.

Suprabha Moleeratanond, director of conventions at the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau, said it had recently launched an incentive programme to draw foreign firms here.

The "Thanks a Million" campaign will provide subsidies worth Bt1 million for any association, state agency, non-government organisation or institution that brings more than 1,000 delegates here for a conference by September 2009.

"Having international conferences in Thailand is not just about economic return, but also exchanging information and technology,' she said.

"There are many Thais who like to attend global meetings abroad but are prevented by the high cost of travel. If they are held here, more locals will be able to join them. The conferencing business is not merely about income distribution - it goes beyond that."