Philippine International Convention Center
Technology prowess: An IT support team is on hand at Philippine International Convention Center (PICC) in Pasay City to address the IT requirements of clients such as wired and wireless internet connectivity, virtual private network (VPN), web casting, video streaming and video conferencing anywhere within the convention centre.

Meeting rooms feature simultaneous interpretations system, from a minimum of two to a maximum of seven languages. PICC also features ramps, porchlifts and elevators for physically challenged delegates.

With respect to security, the convention centre has installed more than 200 CCTV cameras throughout, while the entrance is equipped with baggage X-ray machines and metal detectors.

The convention center is also a Wi-Fi zone. All function and meeting rooms have dedicated wired and wireless local area network control by unified tread management for Internet bandwidth speed allocation.

SMX Convention Center Manila
Technology prowess: SMX Convention Center Manila has Wi-Fi, LAN, audiovisual equipment, and telephone connectivity. Its two lobby areas offer complimentary Wi-Fi and LED television monitors for event announcements.

The five pillarless second-floor function rooms are also outfitted with colourful LED lights for a touch of drama and LED television portals at each entrance.

The escalators within the facility, as well as the lights in all rooms, are operated by motion detector sensors that allow them to turn on and off automatically depending on the actual foot usage, thereby reducing energy consumption. All restrooms also have automatic sensors for the faucets and toilet flushers to reduce water wastage.

Additionally, safety and security are assured through CCTV security cameras with face recognition technology that scans and identifies faces 24/7, alongside an automated fire alarm system.

Marriott Grand Ballroom
Technology prowess: Marriott Grand Ballroom (MGB) in Pasay City features SkyFold technology that subdivides the venue in a mere five minutes by simply pushing a button that lowers the vertical folding partitions from the ceiling.

It also has a floating ceiling of pillow lights than can be raised, lowered and changed into 360 colours for dramatic lighting effects.

MGB also provides six skyboxes for aerial views overlooking events; high steel platform structures that make decorating easier and more creative; a 26m-long catwalk for staging professional sound, light and technology display; and nine utility boxes that provide exhibition suppliers with data, Internet, water and drainage. – Rosa Ocampo

Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre
Technology prowess: The Marina Bay Sands Expo & Convention Centre is equipped with an inventory of industry-leading audio-visual technology.

Almost 100 projectors can supply from 6,200 lumens for small meetings to 26,000 lumens for larger events. In 2018, the venue upgraded its video projection equipment to new-to-market Panasonic Laser 21k lumens projectors, which produce brighter and more vivid picture quality. As part of its basic meeting package, all clients are now guaranteed higher quality image projection during their events with the new 5.5k Panasonic laser projectors.

In terms of lighting equipment, the venue is served by the VL4000 spot & wash – boasting an immense output of 35,000 lumens for spot lighting and 43,000 lumens for wash lighting – as well as JB lightings A12, which are known for their different dimming curves and camera modes to ensure flicker-free performances even during live feeds.

Last year, the convention centre also added 150 new lighting fixtures that can be used for a range of indoor and outdoor events.
Smaller venue spaces are also well-equipped to support more intimate venue requirements. This includes the recently added L Acoustic ARCS Focus and SB18m speakers, which are optimised to deliver the best sound quality for smaller spaces.

As more events incorporate social media and mobile applications, the venue has upgraded its Wi-Fi infrastructure and bandwidth to feature not only vast and high speed, but also the ability to be fractionalised and customised to suit individual event needs. The MICE spaces also feature a 1GB fiber optic backbone.

Singapore Expo Convention & Exhibition Centre
Technology prowess: SingEx, the operator of Singapore EXPO Convention & Exhibition Centre, is embarking on a business transformation that includes a host of upgraded technological capabilities.

As free Wi-Fi is a basic for events, the service has now been enhanced and the user experience differentiated for each of SingEx’s stakeholders, such as organisers and visitors. The improved Wi-Fi service can now also generate insights through capturing various data like visitor footfall, dwell times and traffic flow.

SingEx has also rolled out Interchange 1.0, the pilot version of a community engagement database comprising industry leads, customers, partners, providers and challenges.

On the horizon: Launching in July are the Exhibitor Service Centre, an e-commerce portal allowing clients to select event offerings such as Wi-Fi, customised F&B, and utensils; as well as technology enhancements to upcoming F&B offerings, including point-of-sale system and a central kitchen management system.

SingEx also continues to look into bolstering its data governance and reporting, as well as establishing partnerships to leverage stronger data analytics. – Pamela Chow

IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok
Technology prowess: IMPACT Muang Thong Thani offers more than 140,000m² of indoor meeting space, and as such a large operation, has made sustainable efforts to reduce energy consumption by installing LED lighting technology – worth more than 44.5 million baht (US$1.4 million) – in most of its buildings such as the main IMPACT Arena, the facility’s eight exhibition halls, and numerous meeting rooms.

IMPACT has also recently upgraded its venue mobile app, which allows users to access real-time traffic conditions around the venue, availability of car parking slots, directions to the halls, promotions and an event calendar.

To increase productivity and operational efficiency, IMPACT has also rolled out a customised enterprise resource planning system that can integrate the management of its core business processes in real time. This helps IMPACT respond to the needs of clients efficiently. Previously, problems arose when IMPACT worked with separate IT software and programmes that were not integrated.

On the horizon: IMPACT is studying the feasibility of adopting solar technology, a sustainable energy source that can help it further reduce its carbon footprint. The venue will also install more LED information displays around the venue.

Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall
Technology prowess: Pattaya Exhibition and Convention Hall (PEACH), under the flagship of the Royal Cliff Hotels offers fast and reliable Wi-Fi which has the capability to serve more than 2,500 devices simultaneously, and support all multimedia and cloud applications. Most importantly, the Wi-Fi is secure and difficult to hack.

Secondly, the event space boasts interactive digital signage and wall displays all throughout, allowing planners and organisers to present photos, videos and important information effortlessly to event delegates. In the event of unforeseen circumstances, schedules can be quickly modified and updated easily on these screens.

Finally, PEACH has just launched its new website, chock-full with features for planners, making it easy for them to obtain information when planning
events. There’s also an event inspiration page, where planners can take a look at past events to get their creative juices flowing.

On the horizon: PEACH is constantly on the lookout for new technologies, and will invest in it where appropriate. Discussions with companies in the following fields – multilingual interpretation system, advanced lighting technologies, augmented reality, guest messaging apps – are currently underway. The centre is also looking at increasing more oxygen in meeting rooms to enhance productivity. – Rachel AJ Lee