Event Pico 26th Annual Conference
Venue Royal Orchid Sheraton Bangkok
Event partner MP International, Hong Kong
Delegates 250
Date December 15-19, 2009




The brief
More than 250 senior executives from 32 major cities worldwide attend the December conference each year. The event provides networking opportunities and a retreat for senior executives.

At the same time, headquarters wanted to use the opportunity to hold corporate strategy meetings and present annual group awards.

Challenges
Each year the organiser is keen to provide the most unique and memorable experience. Bangkok was the venue for 2002 and in 2008 it was chosen as the location for the 25th conference, but the event was moved to Singapore at the last minute due to the political unrest.

In addition to the extra efforts towards venue arrangement and contingency planning, the committee adopted a Green theme. Using the 3R principles of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle, Pico tried to reduce paper usage through electronic messages and signage. This differed greatly from the usual daily room-drop messages and location-finding notices intended to provide maximum pampering and convenience for the executives.

Execution
Host country office Pico Thailand used sustainable materials such as paper carton boxes instead of wood and vinyl for the stage backdrop as well as for the foyer exhibition.

Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau (TCEB) sponsored the welcome reception at La Grande, a French restaurant on the Chao Phraya River. Pico Thailand held an opening dinner with authentic Thai cuisine at the Royal Thai Navy Convention Hall. The Royal Thai Police Force provided an escort for the six-bus convoy.

Another highlight was the first Pico Group Bowling Challenge held at Siam Paragon, which will become a recurring annual group event. The company-wide Pico’s Got Talent contest was also a big success.

Comment
An electronic evaluation survey was completed by 35 per cent of delegates. More than 80 per cent appreciated the theme and event organisation, while 75 per cent found the Navy Hall dining experience memorable.