1 . Kuala Lumpur awaits
MITEC in Kuala Lumpur will become Malaysia’s largest exhibition venue when it opens in the second quarter of 2016. Comprising of 12 halls and a total gross floor area of 93,000sqm, it will be about ten times the size of Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre. Concurrently, the expansion of KLCC (pictured) is scheduled to be completed in early 2018 and will add 10,000sqm of flexible and multipurpose space for offices, retail and conventions.
2 . Technology boost
Royal Horticultural Halls has announced the redecoration of Lindley Hall and the renovation of its North Annexe as part of an extensive refurbishment. The facilities have been modernised with the installation of energy efficient lighting, an iPad controlled AV system and 18 wireless uplighters. The catering offered by the RHH has also been updated, with Ampersand, Create and Urban Caprice now supplying the venue.
3 . Chinese ambition
The Government of Shenzhen has announced its intent to build the world’s largest exhibition venue. Shenzhen International Exhibition Center (SEIC) will consist of a multipurpose hall of 40,000sqm and 18 halls of 20,000sqm; covering a gross exhibition space of 400,000sqm in Phase 1. The first construction phase will start in September 2016 and is scheduled to be completed in 2018. Phase 2 will see the construction of an additional 80,000sqm, making SIEC the largest venue globally. The new venue will cover a total land area of 137 hectares and will be located 4km from the Shenzhen International Airport Terminal. Valode & Pistre Architects (France) and AUBE (Shenzhen) won the bid to develop the architecture of the new exhibition venue. jwc of Cologne (Germany) has been assigned to develop the Master Plan for the venue.
4. French appeal
Valenciennes, a town on the Escaut river in northern France, lying close to the Belgian border, is to open a conference and exhibition centre scheduled for completion by 2017. The Valenciennes Conference and Exhibition Centre will be located in the Rives Creatives de l’Escaut, a former industrial area which has been converted into a business park centred around digital technology. The conference centre will offer more than 5,000sqm of modular exhibition areas, three auditoriums with a capacity of 150, 150 to 300 and 500 to 800 people. There will also be a 900sqm conference room/concert hall.
5. Olympic ambitions
The Olympic Gymnastic Centre at Tokyo 2020 will remain for a further ten years and become a convention and exhibition centre. According to Tokyo 2020 spokesman Hikariko Ono, the decision has been made to maximise legacy with Tokyo in need of such a venue. It will have a total site area of 100,000sqm and a seating capacity for 12,000 spectators.
6. Dubai themed
Dubai’s exhibition visitors will be able to enjoy Dubai Parks and Resorts, the region’s largest integrated theme park destination in October 2016, Dubai Parks and Resorts will feature motiongate Dubai – a theme park showcasing Hollywood characters from DreamWorks Animation, Sony Pictures Studios and Lionsgate as well as the region’s first LEGOLAND Park and a LEGOLAND Water Park.
7. Take Cairns
The Cairns Convention Centre has revealed a refurbishment programme with a US$10m (AUS$13m) capital injection by the Queensland government. The upgrade will include a new arrival zone featuring lighting that has the ability to change colour to suit client requirements, LED signage stretching the length of the zone and new sliding glass doors that will improve ease of access.
8. Big Mac
Gambling giant Las Vegas Sands and its Macau-based subsidiary Sands China are to launch The Parisian Macao, a French-themed hotel and casino complex on the Cotai Strip, some time in the second half of 2016. A replica of the Eiffel Tower, almost half as tall as the original, would be the resort’s signature attraction. The US$2.7bn venue will 3,000 luxury hotel rooms, a casino with numerous traditional and exclusive casino games, a themed water park, a theater, a spa, MICE space, and various other amenities.
