Latitude lifts meetings in Phuket to new altitude

 PHUKET – Laguna Phuket has unveiled a new waterfront function area – Latitude – launching the purpose-built venue at a business exchange session for 100 MICE buyers and sellers during Connections Plus 2010, organised by the Thailand Convention & Exhibition Bureau (TCEB). The TCEB programme showcased Phuket as an international MICE destination.

 

The international MICE buyers arrived to a Hollywood welcome at Latitude, with feather boas for the ladies and faux tuxedos for the men and celebrity lookalikes on hand for photographs. Delegates had a chance to screen test on stage for a film being made on the new facility, and a table-top business exchange session was the final part of the programme.

 

Host and Laguna Phuket managing director, Michael Ayling, said: “We launched Latitude with a starring role in a Hollywood-themed event that clearly demonstrated its multi-functional versatility, with three diverse activities staged under its one roof.”

 

In September, Latitude will be the focus venue of the Travel Agents Association of India’s annual India Travel Congress, a two-day convention and exhibition at Laguna Phuket. The event comprises business sessions, an exhibition and catering for up to 1000 guests. In October, Latitude will host the annual fund-raising ball for the Phuket Animal Welfare Society (PAWS), which is expected to attract 400 guests.

 

Latitude occupies a total concrete surface area of 1500 sqm. Its permanent but modular 1000 sqm marquee can be extended over the same area to cater for large group events. It can accommodate up to 1000 guests theatre style, 800 for cocktails, and 600 for banquets; and, includes a 450 sqm pre-function area surrounded by landscaped grounds. It is within minutes of all Sheraton Laguna’s hotels and villas and 18-hole golf and Quest Adventure, its on-site corporate training and teambuilding centre.