BANGKOK Oakwood Residence Garden Towers Bangna will be managing its next-door neighbour, the Bangna Convention Centre, located on second floor of Tower B of the Bangna Garden Towers Complex.
"This will be the first Oakwood property that will offer a banquet and meetings facility of an enormous size," said Trevor MacDonald, general manager, Oakwood Residence Towers Bangna. "The Bangna Convention Centre has established a good reputation serving clients for over 20 years. As part of its expansion programme, the owners recognised the need for an international hospitality company to enhance its operations."
Both Oakwood Residence Garden Towers Bangna and the adjacent convention center have the same owners. "It made perfect sense to choose Oakwood, which manages its serviced apratments in the same complex, to take over and use its expertise in the business."
The convention facility consists of the Ratchaphruek Ballroom which can hold up to 1,000 people and three meeting rooms for smaller events. Closed for renovation since November, it will reopen this April.
"The renovation will encompass a fresh new look throughout the ballroom and meeting rooms – new banquet furniture, fixtures and equipment," MacDonald said. "Also to be installed is a large banquet kitchen as well as a comprehensive CCTV system for security purposes, while new wireless and LAN connections will be added to complement the state-of-the-art audio-visual equipment."
Oakwood is now accepting event bookings in time for its April relaunch. MacDonald pointed out that the convention center is well positioned to host Thailand's massive industrial estates that are located some 40 km from the purpose-built venue. Also, he added that the centre is strategically located to host international events.
"The centre is actually mid-way between the city and Suvarnabhumi International Airport, making it quite convenient for incoming international delegates. It is located on Bangna Trad Highway, some 22 km out of Bangkok – around 35 minutes from the city. Main access is through the BTS and by car," MacDonald said.
The Bangna Convention Centre is not the only venue that Oakwood will be managing in the same complex. On the third floor of the same building where the centre is located, it operates a smart, upscale foodcourt that caters to the 5,000 people working at Bangna Towers.
"This is a large area that accommodates 450 people at one time," MacDonald told Mix. "It can be used for special events such as after-hours company functions and year-end parties. We plan to provide an extensive portfolio of themed-party offerings in 2013."
For more information, visit www.oakwoodasia.com/bangnaconventioncentre
Gigi Onag
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