IN RESPONSE to growing demand, professional exhibition and conference organiser Reed Tradex inked a three-year contract with the Bangkok International Trade Exhibition and Convention Centre (BITEC) to secure space for its annual Manufacturing Expo, to be held between this year and 2013.
Reed Tradex deputy managing director for commercial Duangdej Yuaikwarmdee said that the 20 per cent annual growth of the country’s exhibition industry over the last few years, coupled with a number of forward bookings from exhibitors prompted the company to secure space at BITEC in advance.
This year’s B2B fair will cover 37,500m2 of exhibition space for 1,600 brands from 30 countries, up from last year’s 25,000m2 of utilised area by 1,300 brands from 25 countries. Some 42,000 buyers, including 2,500 from overseas, are expected to attend the event. Some 32,000 visitors came last year.
Duangdej said the lack of on-site accommodation at BITEC was not an issue because the company believes visitors and exhibitors should be encouraged to stay at the many hotels available in Bangkok. He explained that transportation to and from the venue was convenient.
BITEC marketing and sales director Panittha Buri said the centre was investing 250 million baht (US$8.2 million) on the development of a welcome hall and a walkway, linking it with the extended BTS Skytrain Onnut-Barings Line that is slated to open in August. It earmarked another 400 million baht for the renovation of six exhibition halls and a grand hall, with work to start next year.
By Sirima Eamtako
