This month we are going international once again! The Discovering Hospitality team made their way to Bangkok for the Food and Hospitality convention held at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center. From the venue, to the booths, and the events in between, here’s a breakdown of everything that happened during FHT 2023 - Thailand.
Starting with the impressive venue, the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center comprises of multiple levels and halls with pristine detailed interiors everywhere you look. The carpeted floors, wide halls, and well air conditioned setting made it very inviting to guests; down to the art on the walls as you walk from one section of the building to another was very impressive. Attendees of events are also spoilt for choice when it comes to the dining options. Whether it's a quick coffee break, or a full meal you are looking for, this convention center has it all! It also has a train station directly connected to it which makes it very easy to commute to and from.
When it came to the registration of the event, it was very smooth and simple. If you had registered a couple weeks before the event, then you would have already received a QR code via email. All you had to do was show the code and you will be given a badge that you then place in front of the scanner as you enter the main hall. There were barely any lines or waiting time. The event opened on time and everything was lit and ready to go as soon as the doors were open to the public. The receptionists, ushers, and attendants were all very helpful and kind despite the slight language barrier.
Upon entering the scene, you will immediately notice that it is very well organized and well planned. The booths were all set up nicely and the corridors in between the booths were spacious enough for several people to walk through without bumping into one another. Hanging from the ceilings were large signs of where stages and events were which made it easy to navigate the venue. All you had to do was look up and follow the signs. If you’ve ever been to large conventions, you’ll know that it is sometimes easy to get lost with all the people and commotion happening all at the same time. These little, or rather, quite large details can make all the difference to the attendee’s experience.
There were a few ‘Discussion Area’ sections which was a nice place to take a seat from time to time to get some rest and catch up with the team. It’s also a quiet and comfortable place to network and get to know some new clients and industry connections face to face. There was also a ‘Workshop Experience’ area wherein you could take some cooking classes headed by professional chefs. It’s a great way to immerse yourself in the culture and pick up some new skills and techniques for when you’re next in the kitchen.
The convention was spread across 3 halls in which many different activities took place. Towards the left side in Hall 1 was the Main Stage, Seminar Stage 1, and Seminar Stage 2. Some of the topics discussed across these stages were: Future Food Technology & Possibilities, Thailand’s Culinary Treasures: Unlocking The Power Of Organic Food In Hospitality And Dining, and The New And Sustainable Tourism.
Towards the back of the venue there was a section for Thailand’s 27th International Culinary Cup where you could watch the chefs at work. Next to that section is the Cooking Demo Stage where you could take a seat and learn how to make a new dish. Once you walk past that, you then reach an impressive stage setup which is where the Thailand National Latte Art Championship 2023 and the Thailand National Coffee In Good Spirits Championship 2023 was taking place. They even had close up cameras that projected the barista’s work in real time. And as you walk past the back to the right side of the venue you will soon find yourself by the Sips And Spirits Zone. This is where you can take some tasting classes and further your knowledge in spirits with classes such as Craft Beer Basic Style Workshop, Basic Alcohol Knowledge, and Cocktail At Home Workshop.
When it came to the booths there were many representations of the hospitality industry. There were booths for food and beverages as well as hotel amenities and kits, beds and linen, kitchen equipment, and many more suppliers and hospitality related services.
Overall it was a well organized event set in an impressive world class quality venue. There was much to learn and see and the general ambience was very warm and inviting. It will be exciting to see how next year’s FHT - Thailand will play out and the fun activities in store for the attendees.
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