The 2026 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre (QSNCC) reinforced Bangkok’s position as a major hub for business events in the region, while drawing attention to a venue that has played a central role in shaping Thailand’s meetings and exhibitions landscape over several decades.

When more than 260 exhibition industry professionals gathered in Bangkok on 5–6 March 2026 for the UFI Asia-Pacific Conference, the choice of venue reflected both practicality and familiarity. Hosted by the Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB), the event took place at a venue long associated with international gatherings in the Thai capital. For many attendees, it was a return to a setting that has consistently featured in the region’s event circuit.

What the UFI conference meant

The 2026 UFI Asia-Pacific Conference represented another significant gathering for both Bangkok and the QSNCC. As one of the exhibition industry’s key regional events, the conference brought together stakeholders to discuss trends, challenges, and opportunities shaping the sector.

Mark Cochrane, regional director, Asia/Pacific at UFI, was clear about Thailand’s importance to the event’s selection. “Thailand is one of the largest and most dynamic exhibition markets in Southeast Asia,” he said. “It’s an important hub for the region in terms of both business events and trade. The UFI Asia-Pacific Conference was an excellent platform for reinforcing that positioning with key leaders in our industry.”

Topics explored during the conference included global trade dynamics, supply chain shifts, technological innovation, and changing client expectations. These discussions reflected the evolving nature of the exhibition industry, particularly in the Asia-Pacific region, which continues to experience growth and transformation.

The event carried particular regional significance. It took place in the home country of UFI’s current president, Panittha Buri, underscoring Thailand’s ongoing involvement in the global exhibition community. Support from local authorities, including participation from Bangkok’s governor and representatives from TCEB, highlighted the importance placed on the business events sector at a national level.

Chris Skeith OBE, CEO and managing director of UFI, emphasised the role of the Asia-Pacific region as a dynamic and influential market within the global exhibition industry, noting that events such as the Asia-Pacific Conference play a key role in fostering collaboration and strengthening cross-border connections.

Thailand has hosted several UFI events in the past, including previous Asia-Pacific Conferences and the UFI Global Congress in 2019. This pattern of repeat events suggests a level of confidence in the country’s ability to deliver consistent outcomes for international organisers.

A venue born of global ambition

The origins of the QSNCC can be traced back to an international commitment. In September 1987, Thai authorities agreed to host the 46th Annual Meeting of the Boards of Governors of the World Bank Group and the International Monetary Fund in Bangkok. The convention centre was developed specifically to support that event, embedding international expectations into its design and purpose from the outset.

As Thailand’s first purpose-built international convention centre, the QSNCC has since hosted tens of thousands of meetings, exhibitions, and conferences. Over time, it became a key component of the country’s events infrastructure.

In 2019, the venue temporarily closed for a major redevelopment. After three years of reconstruction, it reopened in September 2022 with significantly expanded capacity and updated facilities. For Cochrane, this renovation was central to Bangkok’s appeal as a host city. “QSNCC was completely redeveloped and it opened just after the pandemic,” he noted. “This was one of the key reasons why UFI selected Bangkok and QSNCC specifically. It’s a world-class venue in one of Asia’s most important exhibition cities.”

The redevelopment aimed to align the venue with evolving industry requirements, including increased flexibility, improved technology integration, and an enhanced visitor experience – producing a modernised facility that retains elements of its original identity while adapting to contemporary expectations.

The numbers that define it

Scale remains an important factor in the business events sector, and the QSNCC operates at a size that allows it to accommodate a wide range of event formats. The venue spans more than 297,000sqm, making it one of the largest convention centres in Bangkok, with total event space covering around 78,500sqm.

Within this footprint are eight exhibition halls, four conference halls, four plenary halls, and around 50 meeting rooms. The largest convention hall can host up to 20,000 delegates, while the plenary hall accommodates up to 6,000 attendees in theatre-style seating – capacities that position the venue to support both large-scale exhibitions and more specialised conferences.

Accessibility is another practical advantage. The venue offers parking for up to 3,000 vehicles and is directly connected to Bangkok’s MRT network via the QSNCC station, simplifying logistics for delegates travelling from airports, hotels, and other parts of the city.

Sustainability has also been integrated into the venue’s redevelopment. The QSNCC holds LEED Silver certification, reflecting efforts to incorporate environmentally responsible materials and systems. A significant proportion of construction materials used during renovation were recyclable, and energy- and water-saving technologies were installed throughout the building.

A setting that inspires

Beyond capacity and infrastructure, location plays a key role in the overall experience of an event. The QSNCC is situated in Bangkok’s central business district, adjacent to Benjakitti Park and its lake. This proximity to green space provides a contrast to the intensity of conference environments, offering delegates opportunities for relaxation and informal networking.

Natural light is a notable feature of the venue’s design. Large windows and open spaces allow daylight to filter into meeting areas. Outdoor terraces and views of the surrounding park further enhance this sense of openness.

Architecturally, the venue incorporates references to Thai culture and the exterior’s golden spire and interior design elements draw on traditional motifs, providing a sense of place while maintaining a professional environment suited to international events.

A growth story in motion

The broader context for the UFI conference was one of notable regional momentum. Cochrane pointed to structural economic shifts directly benefiting ASEAN exhibition markets. “Southeast Asia is currently one of the key growth engines of the region’s exhibitions,” he said. “As the Chinese economy has slowed and trade tensions between China and the West have risen, the ASEAN markets have benefited. We expect this trend to continue in the coming years.”

Asia has long been among the most dynamic exhibition regions globally, though the geography of that growth has shifted.

“Exhibition growth in China has slowed, while the Southeast Asian and Indian economies are growing robustly,” Cochrane observed. For Thailand and its venues, this creates a compelling opportunity.

Looking ahead, Cochrane is optimistic. “The exhibition markets in Southeast Asia are well-positioned for high growth in 2026. Multinationals are pursuing a so-called China Plus One supply chain strategy which benefits ASEAN markets and ASEAN exhibitions. In addition, Chinese organisers and exporters are looking to Southeast Asia for new markets and incremental growth. It’s an exciting time for the exhibition industry in Southeast Asia.”

A track record that speaks

The QSNCC’s event history reflects its standing within the regional and global meetings industry. In 2022, it served as the primary venue for APEC Thailand, hosting high-level government and business leaders from across the Asia-Pacific.

In November 2023, the venue hosted the ICCA Congress, attracting over 1,100 delegates from 80 countries and setting a regional attendance record for the association.

For UFI and its members, the event was a clear reminder that while markets evolve and challenges shift, the value of connection remains constant – and in 2026, that connection was firmly centred in Bangkok.

Source: www.exhibitionworld.co.uk