The Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) opened in 1991 in response to the desire of the Royal Thai Government to ensure that Thailand was equipped with a convention and exhibition facility of the highest international standards. The design is a harmonious fusion of the grace of traditional Thai architecture and the latest technology. The interior is adorned with precious artefacts from the four parts of Thailand and the whole is reflective of Thai cultural heritage and national identity.

With a scenic lakeside setting in the heart of the fast-growing business zone of Bangkok, the QSNCC has easy access to the finest hotels. The Centre's layout has many of the attributes of a large traditional Thai structure, but fully complies with the one-stop, full service requirements of the world's most advanced meeting facilities. Spaceframes have been used extensively to maximise natural lighting and create spacious unobstructed areas.

The QSNCC has a total floor space of 65,000sqm. The key operational areas are a partitionable plenary hall covering 4,656sqm that can accommodate up to 5,000 people, a ballroom covering 875 m² suitable for conferences and banquet functions, a number of small break-out rooms suitable for gatherings from ten to 800 conference delegates, plus light exhibition, display and office areas covering 35,000 m². Some of the Centre's state-of-the-art technology includes Internet access, videoconferencing and infrared simultaneous multi-lingual translation technology.

Recreational areas include international cuisine restaurants and conveniently located light F&B; outlets.

Showcases for Thai art

The QSNCC's interior design and decoration are based on aspects of the country's cultural and historical traditions. It is also one of the largest showcases for Thai art in the world. Many of the priceless treasures on display were designed and created especially for the Centre. The most renowned among these artefacts is the 'Lokuttara' sculpture which stands proudly at the front entrance. Symbolic of the flame of intellect which enables mankind to enter the state of flawless purity, it can also be interpreted as a bouquet of lotuses rising triumphantly above water, or as multiple hands joined in a 'wai', the traditional Thai form of greeting. Its evocative beauty and positive message have already established it as a Bangkok landmark and as a welcoming beacon for all who arrive at the QSNCC.

Other outstanding pieces include the 'Universal Post' and the 'Indrabhisek'. The 'Universal Post' is located in the Reception Hall and derives its symbolism from ancient Sanskrit mythology. The four-headed elephant, crowned by a globe, represents the centre of progress and prosperity from all directions. The impressive 'Indrabhisek' is a wood carving of the Coronation of Indra covering a phenomenal 140 m². Its fearsome 'Yaksa' guardian presides over the main foyer as a symbol of protection and strength.

The management

The Royal Thai Government, in pursuit of its policy of developing the country as a regional centre of trade and finance, looked to the private sector to manage the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre's operation and marketing. Through competitive bidding, NCC Management & Development Co Ltd was awarded the management contract by the Ministry of Finance in 1991. As an early challenge, NCC had to manage the newly opened Centre when it served as the forum for Thailand's hosting of the 46th Annual Meetings of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund. Its subsequent success was highlighted in a letter from the World Bank Secretariat which described the Bangkok meetings as 'the best ever'.

Following that highly successful inaugural event, which firmly established the QSNCC as a national landmark and a worthy newcomer to the list of top international convention centres, NCC has worked tirelessly to develop the Centre and the company's own capabilities and services.

Marketing is effected through close co-ordination with Thailand's public and private sector bodies which include the Tourism Authority of Thailand (TAT), the Thailand Incentive and Convention Association (TICA), the Trade Exhibition Association (TEA) and the Department of Export Promotion (DEP) under the Ministry of Commerce. NCC personnel travel extensively in promoting the Centre and the company's services, meeting planners and attending trade shows worldwide. Some of the international associations in which NCC actively participates are the Asian Association of Convention and Visitor Bureaux (AACVB), the Asia Pacific Exhibition & Convention Council (APECC), the International Association of Assembly Managers (IAAM), and the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA).

Due to its worldwide networks and extensive international contacts, NCC gained further recognition internationally in mid-1996, when it was awarded the management contract for the three venues in Christchurch, New Zealand, namely the Christchurch Town Hall, the Christchurch Convention Centre and the Westpac Trust Sports and Entertainment Centre.

Impressive track record

After staging the World Bank/IMF Annual Meetings in October 1991 as the launch event, in which some 10,000 of the financial world's most influential figures arrived from 154 countries around the world, the QSNCC was stunningly transformed in May 1992 for that year's Miss Universe Pageant, broadcast live to millions of viewers around the world. Fastidious orchestration of details was crucial, and the Centre responded skilfully.

Another magnificent year for the QSNCC was 1996. The highly prestigious Asia-Europe Meeting (ASEM) held during 1-2 March, involving many of the world's leading statesmen, was a real success, and was the public relations opportunity of the year for Thailand, for Bangkok and for the QSNCC. It was a triumph of planning and implementation, with stringent lead times and very particular clients. Apart from the rental of the space and decorations, the QSNCC was also hired for facility management. To prepare for the ASEM, the QSNCC underwent substantial refurbishment both of the building itself and its furnishings.

In October 1996, two major international conventions were held at the QSNCC: the 66th World Travel Congress of the American Society of Travel Agents (6 to 10 October), and the Rotary International 1996 Asia Regional Conference (25 to 27 October).

The 66th ASTA's World Travel Congress was the first ASTA Congress held in Thailand, or indeed anywhere in Southeast Asia. Hosted by the Tourism Authority of Thailand, the Congress included various ASTA seminars and meetings, a trade show, special sightseeing programmes, and pre and post-promotional tours. Over 4,000 participating tour agencies, hotel and airlines representatives from 103 countries around the world attended the Congress during this five-day event. The event was considered one of the largest in Thailand's tourism history and was judged an outstanding success, serving as a valuable contribution to the promotion of the Thai tourism industry, thereby bringing substantial benefits to the country as a whole. The Rotary International 1996 Asia Regional Conference was another mega-event for the QSNCC. The Conference drew over 10,000 participants from 21 countries worldwide, making it the biggest international conference ever to be held in Thailand. During its three-day activities, the event occupied almost the entire function area of the QSNCC.

Expansion of the QSNCC

In April 1996, NCC Management & Development Co Ltd signed a renewal management contract with Thailand's Ministry of Finance to operate the QSNCC for a period of another 25 years. Under the new contract, NCC will invest US$115 million in the construction of a first-class 400-room hotel, a car park for 3,000 vehicles, a commercial centre of not less than 28,000sqm and an additional exhibition hall of approximately 15,000sqm within the QSNCC compound.

The new facilities must be in place before the new 25-year contract begins. The Finance Ministry has therefore given NCC a four-year grace period during the construction period, which basically amounts to an extension of the current contract.

For more information contact:
Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre
NCC Management & Development Co., Ltd.
60 New Rachadapisek Road, Klongtoey
Bangkok 10110 Thailand
Tel: (662) 229-3000 Fax: (662) 229-4253
http://www.qsncc.co.th