Thailand venue IMPACT’s bookings in 2023 exceed 1,100 events, representing a 41% rise year-on-year.
So far, 749 events were held during the first half of the year. As the Covid-19 crisis subsided, the revenue from rental and service sections was 3.47bn baht ($100m) for the 2022/2023 period. Meanwhile, a 200m-baht budget is set aside for more facilities to accommodate the increasing numbers of domestic and international customers. Additional facilities that are in the works include the Link Bridge Phase 3, which is scheduled to open this July, among others.
Paul Kanjanapas, CEO of Bangkok Land Public Company Limited, the operator of IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani, revealed the figures for growth in event bookings. Breaking the figures down, he said 233 of the thousand-plus events were meetings and seminars, 56 trade fairs, 13 business negotiations, 56 parties, 62 wedding receptions, and 106 concerts, family-friendly events, 475 off-site catered events, and 72 miscellaneous events. In terms of sectors, 184 are from public agencies while 889 are from private companies.
In the first half of 2023, 749 events were organised at IMPACT, representing a rise of 242 events or 47.73% year-on-year from the 507 events that were held in the first half of 2022.
Examples of newcomers in 2023 include VIV Asia 2023 and Meat Pro Asia 2023 in March. IMPACT also welcomed the return of Disney on Ice and Magic Convention 2023, the incentive event for Indian businessmen in April. In May, the international food exhibition and trade fair THAIFEX spanned across the entire capacity of the venue, while World Hindu Congress 2023 is scheduled for November.
The venue’s rental and service fees stood at 3.47bn baht, a rise of 141.6%.
IMPACT says demand for its hotels is also strong. It has two hotel chains on site, Novotel and ibis. To meet this rising demand, IMPACT has set aside a 200m baht budget to build more facilities including a new pedestrian bridge linking nearby buildings to ensure that hotel guests can easily, rapidly, and safely walk to the exhibition halls.
Watchara Chanthrasopa, head of project management said the Link Bridge will be 400m in length, and will connect Hall 12 to the IMPACT Forum Hall 4, while the second part is a 70m construction that goes into Novotel.
The Link Bridge Phase 3 is expected to be complete by 23 July, 2023. The company also plans to add another skywalk connecting the MRT Pink Line Extension to Muang Thong Thani that will have two stations: IMPACT Muang Thong Thani Station (Challenger 1) and Muang Thong Thani Lake Station. The construction of Muang Thong Thani Lake Station will begin in early 2024 and the extension is expected to be complete and operational in 2025.
