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The Pullman King Power Hotel Bangkok, venue for what promises to be the best Trinity Forum yet |
INTERNATIONAL. Preparations for the Trinity Forum 2011 have begun in earnest as travel retail’s biggest and best conference heads for Bangkok. The event, to be held at the Pullman Bangkok King Power Hotel on February 9-11, is to be co-hosted by Airports of Thailand and King Power International and a spectacular social calendar, in one of Asia’s liveliest and most colourful cities, is promised.
SSP is Platinum Sponsor of the Trinity Forum 2011, while Lagardère Services and DFS Group are Gold Sponsors. The event is organised by The Moodie Report in partnership with Airports Council International.
Delegates to the Trinity Forum 2011 will hear presentations from the event’s strongest-ever line-up of speakers, featuring CEOs and senior executives from the biggest and most forward-thinking companies in travel retail. They will also have the opportunity to discover the Thai capital’s vibrant social scene, with spectacular venues for the social calendar in place.
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The stunning Aksra Theatre at the Pullman King Power, a spectacular backdrop for the Trinity Forum conference |
The conference will be held in the Pullman King Power’s Aksra Theatre, a truly inspiring location in itself. The unique auditorium was specially designed in the luxurious “˜Asian baroque’ style that highlights Thai arts and architecture in a 600-seat space acoustically equipped to international orchestra standards.
The Aksra Theatre is also home to the Aksra Hoon Lakorn Lek small rod puppet show, a cultural symbol representative of Thailand’s rich artistic tradition that features a cabaret-style show of rod puppets weaving together music, spectacular set design, costumes, light and sound with superbly choreographed Thai classical dance. The Aksra Theatre is one of the few remaining venues where the Hoon Lakorn Lek puppet performances can still be seen.
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The interior of the Sala Rim Naam, where Trinity Forum delegates will be welcomed for the Opening Cocktail |
The Opening Cocktail, hosted by Airports of Thailand, will be held in the Sala Rim Naam at the Oriental Hotel. This stunning riverside location is housed in a richly decorated pavilion featuring Northern Thai architecture, and is also the setting for one of the Kingdom’s unique cultural experiences, with classical Thai dancing performed each night.
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The terrace of the Sala Rim Naam by night, with its breathtaking riverside view of Bangkok |
The Gala Dinner, meanwhile, will be held at the magnificent Infinity Ballroom in the Pullman King Power Hotel. This large banqueting facility, with capacity for 400 guests, offers the finest Thai and international cuisine in a stunningly luxurious environment. The Gala Dinner will be hosted by King Power International.
Pre-Gala cocktails will be served adjacent to the outdoor Infinity Pool overlooking the Botanical Garden, offering guests a relaxing and convivial start to what promises to be an amazing evening of Thai hospitality.
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One of Bangkok’s most beautiful landmarks, the Vimanmek Palace is the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion |
After the closure of the conference on Friday February 11, delegates will be offered the rare privilege of visiting the Vimanmek Palace, the world’s largest golden teakwood mansion. Also known as Cloud Mansion, this beautiful and elaborate royal residence was built by King Rama V in 1901 and used as a royal palace by HRH for five years until 1906. In 1982 Queen Sirikit asked permission of King Rama IX to renovate Vimanmek Palace for use as a museum to commemorate King Rama V by displaying his photographs, personal art, and handicrafts, and to serve as a showcase of the Thai national heritage. Access to the palace is rarely granted, but Trinity Forum delegates will be offered a private tour of the mansion and its grounds, courtesy of our hosts Airports of Thailand and King Power International. Refreshments will be served at an exclusive garden party.
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Delegates will be offered a rare opportunity to stroll around the Vimanmek Palace after closure of the conference |
Meanwhile those who wish to make the most of their visit to Bangkok by remaining through the weekend are promised a treat, once again courtesy of Airports of Thailand and King Power. Our hosts have generously offered to host a golf tournament on Saturday morning at the VR Sport Club, one of Thailand’s most prestigious courses, which will be opened exclusively for Trinity Forum delegates.
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The VR Sport Club, one of Thailand’s most luxurious and prestigious sporting venues |
In addition to its superb golf facilities, the VR Sport Club – named after its owner and King Power International Chairman Vichai Rakriaksorn – is Thailand’s premier private polo club and has hosted a number of prestigious tournaments featuring the world’s greatest players.
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The VR Sport Club will offer a stern but picturesque challenge to the industry’s golfers |
Delegates not wishing to put their handicap to the test on the Saturday are being offered a wonderful alternative: the opportunity to visit Bangkok’s Grand Palace and the legendary Jim Thompson House.
The Grand Palace is a magnificent complex of royal buildings in Bangkok near the Chao Phrya River which served as the official residence of the Kings of Thailand from the late 18th century until the beginning of the 20th. Construction of the Palace began in 1782 during the reign of King Rama I. The Palace has been constantly expanded and many additional structures were added over time.
Although the Kings of Thailand have not resided there since the beginning of the 20th century, the Grand Palace is still very much in use, as many royal rituals are performed there by the King every year. The Palace grounds also contain the offices and buildings of the Bureau of the Royal Household, the Office of the Private Secretary to the King, and the Royal Institute of Thailand.
The Jim Thompson House, meanwhile, was the home of James H. W. Thompson, a self-made American entrepreneur who was the founder of the world-renowned Jim Thompson Thai Silk Company. Thompson’s achievements during his 25-year stay in the Kingdom of Thailand won him wide fame, as well as the much-prized Order of the White Elephant, a decoration bestowed upon foreigners who have rendered exceptional service to Thailand.
Thompson’s art collection and the unique architecture of the house make this one of Bangkok’s many unforgettable landmarks.
Those delegates joining the tour of the Grand Palace and Jim Thompson House will afterwards be invited to join the golfers at the VR Sport Club for a relaxed lunch.
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The Glen Bar at the Pullman King Power will be open exclusively to Trinity Forum delegates during the conference |
The Moodie Report Founder & Chairman Martin Moodie said: “When we looked at possible venues for the Trinity Forum 2011, Bangkok was at the very top of the list. In addition to the legendary Thai hospitality, the city has the perfect facilities for a conference of this size. More importantly, the support we have received from our co-hosts Airports of Thailand and King Power International will ensure delegates have an unforgettable experience, as well as a thought-provoking conference.
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“The locations we will be visiting, not only for the social calendar but for the conference itself, are truly breathtaking and will make a unique backdrop to the event.
“We know that many delegates are planning to make the most of their time in Bangkok by staying on for the weekend, and thanks to King Power the industry’s many golfers will have a fantastic opportunity to play a round in a wonderful setting.
“We are hugely grateful to King Power, to Airports of Thailand and to our sponsors for their support so far, and look forward to welcoming a record number of delegates to Bangkok.”
Commenting on the strength of the Trinity Forum 2011 programme, ACI Director General Angela Gittens said: “After suspending the Trinity Forum event in 2010 due to the global financial crisis, the global airport travel retail industry is invited to witness a truly impressive line-up of speakers that are leading the industry to new heights.
“Even during the crisis travel retail has continued to impress, invent and improve for the sake of passengers and the airport industry.
“The Trinity Forum in Bangkok will showcase and celebrate that progress. It will represent another milestone in underscoring the importance of commercial revenues for the financial strength of airports around the world.”
Please click here to register for the Trinity Forum 2011.
