Impact Exhibition Management Co has been selected by Thailand Post to manage 3,250 square metres of space in the Grand Postal Building in Bangkok's Bang Rak district as Impact's first city venue.
The Grand Postal Building will be a very attractive venue due to its history and beautiful architecture, says Mr Paul. APICHART JINAKUL
Both sides will sign a formal five-year management deal this month.
"It's our first move to manage venues for other people," said Paul Kanjanapas, managing director of Impact Exhibition Management. "We'll spend 100 million baht to improve this historical building over the next few years together with a few hundred million that Thailand Post used to renovate it."
Built in 1935, the Grand Postal Building was a centre for mail and communications and served as the head office of Thailand Post and the Telegraph Department.
The four-storey T-shaped building was designed by the Thai architect Jit Sen Aphaiwong in the European neoclassical style. Designated as a historical site in 2004, the recently restored building was officially reopened on Sunday by HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn.
Impact will manage 3,250 sq m of space on the ground and third floors for meetings, seminars, exhibitions, weddings, parties, product launches and charity events.
"I think the Grand Postal Building will be a very attractive venue due to its history and beautiful architecture," said Mr Paul. "And it's close to many five-star hotels, so it can attract foreign organisers as well."
He said all building improvement work will be complete by mid-September. Impact has begun marketing the Grand Postal Building to event organisers.
Target customers are corporate clients, government agencies and individuals looking for a different experience in a convenient location.
The company expects to generate 100 million baht in revenue from its space at the building in the first year.
"The revenue will be small compared with the total revenue Impact will get, but it will be an alternative venue for our clients," said Mr Paul.
The meetings, incentives, conventions and exhibitions business is growing with the overall tourism boom, and most foreign Mice visitors are from Asia.
Apart from the Grand Postal Building, Impact will manage a new exhibition centre on Patong beach in Phuket, under construction now.
This year, Impact expects revenue of 2.5 billion baht, up from 2.3 billion last year.
