The 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, whilst shining a spotlight on a venue that continues to shape Thailand’s reputation in the global MICE industry.
Held on 5–6 March and hosted by the TCEB (Thailand Convention and Exhibition Bureau), the conference welcomed over 260 delegates and industry leaders. For many attendees, it was an opportunity to experience QSNCC in its fully redeveloped form – a venue that has retained its legacy whilst transforming into a thoroughly modern, world-class conference destination.
What the UFI Conference demonstrated
As one of the region’s most significant professional gatherings, the conference provided a compelling platform for exploring the issues that matter most to today’s meetings and events industry – from shifting delegate expectations and hybrid event formats to technological integration and the growing importance of sustainable conferencing practices.
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 conference at the QSNCC was an excellent platform to reinforce that positioning with key industry leaders.”
Thailand’s ongoing role in hosting landmark UFI events, including the Global Congress in 2019, reflects sustained international confidence in the destination and in venues such as QSNCC as credible homes for high-level professional dialogue.
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.”
In its current form, QSNCC represents a new generation of convention centre – where considered design, advanced technology, and operational expertise converge to deliver seamless experiences for delegates, speakers, and organisers alike.
Scale, connectivity, and sustainability
With over 300,000 sqm of total space and 78,500 sqm 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, whilst 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.
A region of growing opportunity
The conference took place against a backdrop of considerable regional momentum, with Southeast Asia 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.
A record that speaks for itself
QSNCC’s ability to deliver complex, high-profile international events is thoroughly proven. 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, following the inaugural hosting in 1991. It is a milestone that speaks volumes about QSNCC’s enduring position at the very highest levels of the international meetings world.
