BANGKOK When 35,000 foreign Rotarians descend on Bangkok for the 2012 Rotary International Convention from May 6 to 9, 2012, they can expect to network in a venue that has spared no effort to make a positive and lasting impression.
The Impact Arena Convention & Exhibition Center has spent recent months sprucing up for what is reportedly the largest business gathering in Thailand, and the first international Rotary confab in the country, with over 160 countries sending delegations.
Impact’s main facilities such as the exhibition centre, convention centre and exhibition hall underwent upgrading, while air conditioning and electrical systems were checked to ensure optimal working conditions. Outdoor areas were given enhanced landscaping and made vibrant with more colourful foliage.
Anticipating huge crowds, the Impact team, led by managing director Paul Kanjanapas, has been working closely with security units and local authorities to ensure the smooth flow of both vehicle and human traffic. The various approaches to center have also been improved, with a new road added. Walkways and sky bridges offer easy access from one building to another, and 2,000 indoor parking spaces have bumped up the total inventory to 15,000 parking slots.
Kanjapanas said the feeding of the visitors likewise fell to Impact to handle. In April, Rotary representatives paid a special trip to test menus concocted by the centre's chefs, who successfully showed off their repertoire of American breakfasts, European dinners, cocktails and range of buffets and coffee breaks. "All food and beverage were carefully prepared to ensure the best taste, decoration, following ISO 22000 standards.”
A final but no less important detail was refining the service skills of various Impact staff, manning the operations, customer relations and F&B departments. Practical training courses, aimed at developing the “Service Mind for Partnership for Success”, were conducted to ensure the highest levels of customer satisfaction.
For more details, visit www.impact.co.th
Margie T Logarta
