THE BANGKOK International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) is planning to spend 400 million baht (US$13.27 million) for major renovations next year in anticipation of more events.
This will come after the completion of a skywalk linking the venue to a new BTS SkyTrain station. BITEC’s skywalk is nearly complete, while the BTS Sukhumvit Line-Bearing Extension is scheduled to operate in August.
Business development director Sarnit Karunyavanij said the opening of the BTS extended line would allow the centre to attract more exhibitions, from 40 trade and consumer events last year to more than 50 shows in 2012.
The easy access is also expected help BITEC attract more international conventions as well. The venue joined the bidding process for some large-sized conventions after receiving confirmation recently as the host venue for the International Surgical Week 2015 for 2,000 delegates.
This year, the venue is scheduled to host about six conventions, including the 8th Asia-Pacific Burn Congress and the 3rd Congress of the Asian Wound Healing Association for 1,800 delegates from September 11 to 14.
For incentives, Karunyavanij said BITEC has been chosen as the venue for Herbalife: The Asia Pacific Extravaganza 2011 from May 6 to 8. “We are expecting to sign with two more organisations for similar large-sized incentives to be held this year,” he said.
By Sirima Eamtako
