IFHS 2001 - Back to its former glory

The International Food and Hospitality Show (IFHS) 2001 opened its doors to Thailand’s food, retail and hotel industry professionals in September. The show, running for the ninth time, is Thailand’s longest established industry show, and once again played host to a glorious variety of mouth-watering activities.

Thailand’s largest ever ice carving.

A glittering line-up of the who’s who in Thailand’s world famous hospitality industry opened the show at a spectacular opening ceremony at Bangkok’s Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, which featured Thailand’s largest ever ice carving. Modeled on a traditional Thai temple the carving took three days to complete, with carved sections stored whole in a fleet of refrigerated trucks until final assembly in the early hours of the morning. Visiting dignitaries were extremely impressed and congratulated the Thai Chefs Association, and mastermind Mr. Puttawong Poonna, Thailand’s leading ice carver.

IFHS 2001 showcased products and services from 290 participating companies representing an increase if 30% over the last show in 2000. From wine and spirits to meat and poultry most varieties of food and drink were in display from 25 countries around the world. Korea and the USA presented the best of their food in national pavilions, and many products were featured in Thailand for the first time. A Thai food village showed many local products and a new innovation at the show was the wine village featuring hundreds of delicious wines.

The hotel industry was well catered for with some huge stands featuring foodservice, bakery and laundry equipment - many other products were also on display, ranging from hotel safes to mini-bars and coffee machines to hotel bed and bathroom suppliers. A remarkable one stop shopping experience for the hospitality industry professional.

The host of activities, conference programs and competitions have drawn together the leading products, professionals, academics and buyers of the industry. The opening ceremony was presided over by His Excellency Pradech Phyakvichien, governor of the Tourism Authority Of Thailand, and Senator Suradech Yasawasdi, chairman of the Standing Committee on Tourism, with special guests including Chanin Donavanik, president of the Thai Hotels Association and Saowakit Preeprem, president of the Thai Chefs Association. The show is supported by twelve of the leading trade associations, organizations and buyers groups in Thailand.

“Basic Marketing Principles” - Tue 16- Oct- 2001

The British Chamber of Commerce (BCCT) in association with First Training presents full-day seminars entitled ‘Basic Marketing Principles’ to be held from 9:00 a.m. (registration) - 16:30 p.m. on Tuesday 16th October 2001 at ECC, Siam Square (opp. Chula Book Store Centre). The seminars are aimed at Thai staff who have just entered the marketing field or those who are switching to the marketing division for the first time. Those who are experienced in the field of marketing will derive little benefit from these seminars. There is a maximum limit of 20 students and will be conducted in English language.

The first 30 minutes of each seminar are for registration.

The following will be covered in the seminars: what is marketing; the customer and the company; branding decisions; identifying brand preference; product line decisions; distribution channels; choosing the message and media for advertisements.

The cost per participant is 1,100 baht inclusive of VAT, course materials, certificate and coffee break. Lunch is not provided but there are many eating outlets in Siam Square. Please fax or e-mail the name/s of participants and indicate which session is preferred to the BCCT office, fax +66 (0) 2651-5354, tel. +66 (0) 2651-5350-3, email: [email protected]. Please make cheques payable to “British Chamber of Commerce”. Bookings will be taken on a first come, first served basis and those received with payment will receive priority.

ATN Properties Co., Ltd. recently signed an agreement to purchase 15 rai of land from the Eastern Seaboard Industrial Estate (Rayong) developed by Hemaraj Land and Development PLC. The new plant, which will have a total area of 6,300 sq.m, will be built for GE Elano Asia Co., Ltd. to lease. Shown exchanging the contract are: Wichien Wilaingam (right) managing director of ATN Properties Co., Ltd. and David Nardone (left) Hemaraj’s president.