The BMICH is synonymous as a nationally acclaimed conference and meeting centre offering organisers the most complete meeting package inclusive of state-of-the-art facilities and a highly professional staff committed to hosting successful business meetings and memorable corporate functions.
Set in an environment that combines intellectual stimulation with natural beauty, the BMICH provides spaces for a range of occasions from confidential meetings to international conferences. A total of 20 meeting spaces offer the ideal flexibility from the relatively simple to highly functional facilitating events that require sophistication to proceed smoothly and successfully.
BMICH Manager Events and Reservations Mahesh Amarasinghe recently elaborated on the venue’s wide ranging facilities and future plans.
What are the facilities for meetings that set BMICH apart from other venues?
Our committee rooms can cater to 10-500 people in one setting - designed specifically for conferences, meetings, seminars, workshops, performances, etc., unlike the average banquet halls at hotels.
The settings provides guests a sense of superiority (from the seats to the tables, lighting, staging, etc.) with varied seating styles including theatre, classroom, u-shape and banquet styles.
We are recognised as a prestigious venue because of the overall stature and history of the BMICH. The BMICH provides for each event, a status symbol combined with our well-known professionalism.
Two of our Committee Rooms (A and B) have balcony viewing and more than 20 feet in height. The other rooms are almost 15 feet in height. Committee Rooms C to F can cater to cocktails and get-togethers as well. We can also provide separate VIP and VVIP rooms (on request) when organisations book these rooms.
State-of-the-art audio/visual technology support is available at hand and ours is a uniquely-built in-house multimedia system that is fully operated by our own staff, while most hotels provide these facilities through outsourcing. We also provide facilities for simultaneous translations for public broadcast which no other venue has to offer.
Numerous other facilities are provided free of charge to our clients including the public address system, changing rooms and LED panel. Food and beverage, banquet service, housekeeping, security and event management services are available for all clients.
In comparison to other venues what advantages does the BMICH offer?
Firstly all the services and support mentioned earlier are what we provide. We believe our offering is superior in terms of facilities and the location’s unique features.
Most of our venues are unique and offer something different when organisers wish to hold concurrent events.
The BMICH as a venue is centrally and conveniently located. A significant advantage is that we have ample parking space, which is usually a major issue with most other venues. We have parking space for more than 2500 vehicles.
In addition we offer our clients a personalized service with the ability to host more than one event on the same day even at the same venue. Our clients understand that we have a flexible approach and can depend on us.
Many venue organisers also understand the prestige of hosting an event at the BMICH; this contributes to the overall ambience the venue delivers.
We have a water projection facility at the entrance; again this is among the unique features which make any event at the BMICH a memorable one when compared to other venues.
The BMICH is not only legendary in terms of status of but self-contained as ‘one location’ offering everything necessary for a successful event. This overall convenience is not available at other locations.
Clients can enhance their event further through the branding opportunities offered at the BMICH. Once again this is not possible when compared to other venues.
How does BMICH stand apart as a venue that can be trusted to deliver superior service levels for a successful event?
Service is a huge advantage for organisers at the BMICH. In addition to overall industry experience, some key employees have worked at the BMICH for almost 30 years. They are attuned to the operations and their level of service is unmatchable.
The staff are very friendly and know that the key to a happy client is personalized service. Most of them are also very patriotic about the venue as they understand it is an iconic and much-loved location. They are always ready to assist organisers meet their requirements to host a successful event.
It’s like home to them and our staff is like one big family. Everyone strives to ensure that each and every event is a huge success and all clients are left with a wonderful experience.
We are led by a very prominent leader with vast experience in the hospitality field. I too carry over 15 years of experience in the hospitality arena.
As organisers demand collaborative environments, together with the BMICH management we will continue to offer spaces that set it apart from other venues with service and operation standards of superior levels.
Comments on any future plans for attracting business tourism, MICE, etc.
Our future plans include our participation in international trade fairs. We have also already begun broad corporate advertising creating further awareness on the facilities the BMICH has to offer as many are still unaware of its true potential as a venue.
We have an increased focus on corporate digital media - bulk emails, social media and online PR enhancements. We have a dynamic sales team and sales visits are gradually increasing along with our professional database.
Some of our other plans are the launching of a new website with a .com domain in order to generate search engine optimization (SEO) on a global basis. We also hope to encourage international MICE Event organisers to use our venues annually (as repeat events) and will also target the corporate sector with some promotional events.
Can you comment on any strategic partnerships with local/foreign organisers planned?
We are a member of International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and in the process of renewing the membership.
We are amongst the partners of Sri Lanka Convention Bureau (SLCB) and a member of Sri Lanka Association of Professional Conference, Exhibitions and Event Organizers (SLAPCEO).
