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Bangkok ' s crown jewel: How QSNCC is setting the standard for international meetings
T he 2026 UFI Asia-
Pacific Conference at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Centre( QSNCC) reaffirmed Bangkok ' s standing as a premier destination for international conferences and meetings.
Held on 5 – 6 March and hosted by the TCEB( Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau), that conference welcomed over 260 delegates and industry leaders. They all had an opportunity to experience QSNCC in its fully redeveloped form – a venue that has retained its legacy while transforming into a thoroughly modern, world-class conference destination.
Mark Cochrane, UFI regional director – Asia Pacific, highlighted Thailand ' s broader strategic significance:“ Thailand is one of the largest and most dynamic markets in Southeast Asia. It’ s an important hub for both business events and trade, and this [ UFI ] conference at the QSNCC was an excellent platform to reinforce that positioning with key industry leaders.”
A venue built for global gatherings QSNCC ' s credentials as a conference venue are deeply rooted in history. Originally developed to host the World Bank Group and IMF Annual Meetings in 1991, it was Thailand’ s first purpose-built international convention centre, designed from the outset to meet the rigorous demands of large-scale diplomatic and professional events. Following a comprehensive redevelopment completed in 2022, the centre has been transformed with expanded capacity, significantly upgraded infrastructure, and greatly enhanced flexibility, ensuring it can meet the sophisticated requirements of today ' s international conference organiser.
“ QSNCC was completely redeveloped and reopened just after the pandemic,” noted Cochrane.“ This was one of the key reasons why UFI selected Bangkok and QSNCC. It ' s a world-class venue in one of Asia ' s most important cities for business events.”
QSNCC represents a new generation of convention centre – where considered design, advanced technology, and operational expertise converge to deliver
Left: Originally built to host the 1991 World Bank and IMF Annual Meetings, Thailand ' s first purpose-built international convention centre, QSNCC underwent a landmark redevelopment in 2022 resulting in expanded capacity and a major infrastructure upgrade seamless experiences for delegates, speakers, and organisers alike.
Scale, connectivity, and sustainability With over 300,000sqm of total space and 78,500sqm of dedicated event area, QSNCC offers the scale and versatility to accommodate everything from intimate executive summits to large-scale plenary conferences. Direct MRT access ensures straightforward connectivity for delegates travelling across the city, while comprehensive on-site facilities support the full spectrum of conference requirements.
The centre holds LEED Silver certification, demonstrating a genuine commitment to environmentally responsible operations – an increasingly important consideration for international organisations and associations selecting venues for their events.
Southeast Asia is emerging as a significant growth market for international association meetings and corporate conferences.
“ ASEAN markets are seeing increased opportunity and are well-positioned for continued growth,” Cochrane observed.
For Thailand, and for QSNCC as its flagship convention venue, this trajectory represents a considerable opportunity to attract an ever-greater share of the region ' s most prestigious international gatherings.
QSNCC’ s ability to deliver complex, high-profile international events is undeniable. Recent highlights include APEC Thailand 2022 and the ICCA Congress 2023 – two events that placed the centre firmly in the global conversations about meetings and conventions excellence.
Looking ahead, the venue is set to host the IMF – World Bank Annual Meetings in October 2026, marking the second occasion on which Thailand has been entrusted with this prestigious event. It is a milestone that speaks volumes about QSNCC ' s enduring position at the very highest levels of the international meetings world. n ISSUE 142 / CONFERENCE & MEETINGS WORLD / 45