Bangkok--15 Nov--Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC)
In November 2016, Bangkok International Trade and Exhibition Centre (BITEC) will unveil, for the first time, the new event halls and facilities that form part of the centre's massive expansion. The Grand METALEX 2016 will be the first major event to make use of the new spaces. Organised by Reed Tradex, the event will utilise all 10 event halls that span the full 70,000 sq.m area of the purpose-built exhibition and convention centre. Taking place on 23-26 November 2016, it will be ASEAN's largest international trade exhibition and conference for the metalworking industry.
BITEC's expansion, which began in 2013, has added an additional 32,000 sq.m. of event space, almost doubling the size of the previously 38,000 sq.m venue. The additional space will place BITEC among the largest venues in South East Asia.
In a recent statement, Ms. Panittha Buri, Managing Director of BITEC, announced that the driving force behind BITEC expansion was anticipating the growing demand of the MICE industry and changing needs of clients. "We expect that our expansion will provide more opportunities for our customers with the increase in available space and dates. When BITEC first opened its doors in 1997, Reed Tradex was our first customer with 'The World of Technology', an exhibition that covered our 4 exhibition halls at that time, representing 20,000 sq.m.
Now, as our space has grown, our clients and events have an opportunity to grow with us. With the additional space, The Grand METALEX 2016 will be bigger and better than ever with over 3,300 brands from 50 countries participating in the exhibition and more than 100,000 visitors and industry professionals expected to attend."
BITEC's expansion will deliver a mixed–use, multi-purpose facility complete supporting a world-class exhibition and convention centre integrated with retail and dining space, a world-class convention and meetings venue called BHIRAJ Convention Centre, as well as a Grade-A office tower known as BHIRAJ Tower at BITEC.
With its prime location in Bangna district, within an easy 20 minute drive from Suvarnabhumi International Airport and conveniently linked to the BTS skytrain network, BITEC offers ultimate connectivity and accessibility. This venue will have everything necessary to support a contemporary lifestyle.
The highlight of the new facilities is an event hall with a 25-metre high ceiling which are adjustably connected and allows for greater flexibility to accommodate major headline entertainment, lifestyle events and special events supporting multiple staging and setups. The height and space is made possible using modern construction techniques and heavy-duty stainless steel frames, called super trusses, which span across the 108-metre width of the venue. These super trusses support the suspended roof structure that has become synonymous with BITEC.
Ms. Panittha said, "BITEC's expansion will ensure that organisers, exhibitors and visitors at BITEC will be have everything they need for a complete day, whether for work or leisure. This will certainly help us to develop our position as one of the most comprehensive and competitive MICE venues in the region."