Amador convention center to host first event in November

After eight  problem -plagued years, compounded by the COVID-19  pandemic the Amador Convention center is set to stage its first event  in November and help revitalize the hotel industry

Early hitches included corruption allegation linked to loans from the state savings bank, the abandonment of the project due to lack of financial liquidity, failures in the execution of the works an

Multiple opening dates  gave been set and missed, but in November the first international event should take place in the new center

The event was originally agreed for the month of July, but the organization had to reschedule it for November 17.

The Latin American & Caribbean Tire Expo and the Latin Auto Parts Expo, an event that will have 400 exhibitors and the organizers expect the attendance of 5,000 participants from across  the continent.

Rodolfo del Valle,  director of the Panama Convention Center, which will be managed by the SMG Latin American company for a period of 6 years, said  that the official opening of the complex was agreed for 2021, but indicated that the new center will be enabled to receive auto parts exhibition.

He said  that the construction of the project registers a 99% progress and commented that SMG is in the process of hiring the personnel and acquiring the equipment to be installed in the center.

Del Valle explained that the new convention center is a link in the gear that must be launched in collaboration with the private and government sector to reactivate the segment of congresses and conventions that is seen by hoteliers as the tool that can allow a reactivation fastest and least painful in the industry, which has been suspended  since March due to the ban on the entry of foreigners ordered by the Government

Del Valle noted that last week they received arequest for the space required to hold an event of 5,000 participants in February or March 2021. "They contacted us to ask us if we had space for that date.

Luis Ricardo Martínez, president of the Panamanian Association of Professionals in Congresses, Exhibitions and Related (Appce), added that a significant number of events that were to take place this year in Panama have changed dates, and have not been postponed, which provides certain relief to Panamanian organizers and suppliers.

He says they are working together with the health authorities to define the protocols to be followed by the events that will take place in the country once all the mobilization restrictions are lifted.

It indicates that Panama should focus on small and medium-sized events since they will be the first to be reactivated within this segment.