Pattaya heats up

Melbourne-based Hagemeyer Australia knows a thing or two about uprooting a major CEI event due to the unforeseen. Its annual conference, trade show and incentive programme for several hundred employees and important clients was derailed in 2002, when Dubai was rubbed out in the panic-ridden aftermath of 9/11. The business-pleasure jaunt was eventually held at Bangkok's Shangri-La hotel the following year. Luck wasn't on the electrical wholesale giant's side again, when this year's planned event in Beijing was cancelled due to Sars. A number of replacement destinations were considered, including Vancouver, Istanbul, Dubai, Manila and Kuala Lumpur, before Hagemeyer decided on Thailand once again. This time, however, the Thai capital was bypassed for popular seaside city Pattaya, with the Royal Cliff Beach Resort and its PEACH convention centre playing host to more than 800 delegates from April 5 to 9. David Barrett, events manager for Bangkok-based Diethelm Events, says Incentive House Australia, working with his company, chose Pattaya based on several important criteria, namely price, accessibility, security and venue facilities. "The significant security enhancements put in place by the Shangri-La hotel in Bangkok in 2003 convinced both Hagemeyer and Incentive House that similar arrangements must be duplicated at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort," Barrett says. Hagemeyer took over the total room inventory at the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel and a significant number of rooms at the Royal Cliff Beach Hotel, with a few rooms booked at the resort's Royal Wing and Spa. The company also took exclusive use of the PEACH complex. Les Alford, Incentive House conference manager, comments: "Pattaya as a destination has improved over the last few years, and the accessibility from Bangkok interntional airport is a huge advantage, with a speedy 90-minute transfer door to door. Of course, the number of Thai Airways International (THAI) flights from Australia to Bangkok is also a major selling point," he adds. Hagemeyer chose the Sanctuary of Truth venue for the welcome cocktail reception on April 5. "Another carrot to win this business back to Thailand was the co-sponsorship of the cocktail reception by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB)," Barrett says. "We were delighted that the TCEB provided sponsorship for the welcome cocktail reception, as this was a major influencing factor for Hagemeyer choosing Thailand for the second consecutive year. "Functions are rarely held at the Sanctuary of Truth due to the high cost of venue rental. However, the TCEB's financial support made the event possible." Barrett says it was only the second time that the Sanctuary of Truth had ever been used for an event, with Diethelm Events arranging an event there for a South African client in 2002. The welcome cocktail reception ran from 7pm to 9.30pm. Twenty-three coaches shuttled delegates from PEACH to the Sanctuary of Truth following the conference opening session. Tourist police were recruited to ensure traffic flow along the route. Once at the reception, delegates were treated to the sounds of the Bangkok Symphony Orchestra and a fireworks, sound and light show. The following morning, breakfast was served at the Royal Cliff Grand Hotel's terrace, with air-conditioned and open-air dinning provided. The conference ran from 9am to 3.30pm. Lunch was taken at the trade show. That evening, delegates were treated to a themed 'Golden Triangle Night' poolside at Royal Cliff's main beach hotel. A baby elephant wearing a sash branded with the sponsor's logo greeted guests. A lavish buffet dinner was then served, with food stations representing the three kingdoms of the Golden Triangle. Guests were entertained by Thai cultural performances. The sound of Lanna drums, flown in from Chiang Mai, opened the evening, followed by a pop-jazz fusion band, a short puppet show and then an interactive performance by Bangkok's famous Joe Louis Puppet Theatre. More than 80 northern Thai lanterns —Khom Loy — were released into the night sky, before an Australian rock band ushered in an evening of dancing. On April 7, the conference continued at PEACH. Afternoon tours to Pattaya sights, shopping tours, a Thai cooking class and spa sampler were on offer for delegates. That same day, Diethelm Events arranged a 'dinearound' evening. Hagemeyer's senior management dined at Ocean Marina, while other groups of delegates dined on seafood at Bang Saray fishing village, Thai food at the Sugar Hut and international cuisine at Bruno's restaurant. Many delegates chose to stay onsite for dinner. Additional reporting by Mark Bode