Grand Ashok sets up mega convention hall

To maximise its large real estate holding of 10.5 acres in the heart of the city, Grand Ashok "� Bangalore's first five star hotel "� has erected a 13,000 sq ft non-permanent convention facility on its premises.

With this convention hall which has been named 'Kalinga', the hotel plans to tap the growing MICE (meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibition) segment of the hospitality business. The hall has been air-conditioned and can accommodate some 1,000 people.

The city is home to 450 multinational companies which employ 1,70,000 people and is increasingly becoming a favourite destination for MICE related activities. It regularly hosts many high-profile annual and trade exhibitions like IT.com, Bio.com, Componex and Aero India.

In all, 15-20 international fairs and conferences are being held annually in the city, Jagmohan Misra, vice president and general manager, The Grand Ashok told Business Standard.

The MICE segment has become a money spinner for all the five star hotels in Bangalore and accounts for nearly 30 per cent revenues annually.

"To tap this section of the business, the Grand Ashok has created Kalinga," said Misra.The main attraction to this hotel and its convention facility is the parking area which can accommodate up to 450 vehicles at a time.

The Ashok was taken over by the Lalit Suri owned Grand Group of Hotels and later rechristened 'The Grand Ashok'. The hotel is currently being extensively renovated and refurbished.