No trip to the increasingly popular northern Thai city of Chiang Mai - another up-and-coming MICE centre for the country - would be complete without delving into its charming and intricate Lanna heritage.
Cultural dance, lighting and fire-lantern shows rank near the top as some of the quaint mountainous city's most engaging, can't-miss attractions, along with hearty "khantoke" meals consisting of bowls of northern cuisine - steamed vegetables, herbal infusions and dense, flavourful sauces - served to guests on pedestal trays along with lots of fluffy, glutinous white rice accompanied by Thai dancers performing finger dances, sword dances and candle dances to lively folk music in the background.
While it can be difficult to find a northern Thai restaurant to host convention-sized groups, the entire experience is available for MICE groups at Lanna-themed Khum Kham Centara Convention Centre Chiang Mai, which has been built for this purpose.
Just minutes from the famous Night Bazaar and the CentralFestival shopping centre, the Khum Kham Convention Centre is conjoined with the 87-roomed Khum Phaya Resort & Spa, Centara Boutique Collection, which can also host convention guests.
Each space in the three-storey centre is designed in striking traditional Lanna style, with the largest, Khum Kham Luang Hall, accommodating up to 1,100 people seated theatre-style. The hall and 12 smaller multi-functional rooms come complete with the full range of audiovisual, catering and entertainment facilities. VIP rooms and secretariat rooms, as well as disabled facilities, are also available. Catering options include authentic Khantoke food and Halal food, as well as Chinese table and Thai fusion for cocktail parties.