Convention Center Design: Evolving Spaces for

Evolving Needs
Convention center design has evolved significantly over the past ten years, impacted by
changing economic conditions and the evolving expectations of meeting planners, building
operators and convention attendees. The industry has been faced with significant
challenges the recession resulted in fewer people attending fewer events annually,
impacting many cities and associated hotels and restaurants that depend on conventions to
generate revenue. Despite the challenges, the industry remains a vital economic keystone
as city leaders recognize the importance of a quality convention center in drawing largescale conferences and ultimately, national attention, to their city.
At Populous, we believe the positive state of the industry is a reflection of the adaptations it
has undergone. Fewer clients are simply asking for more space and instead, were being
asked to design more unique spaces that provide a better, more memorable customer
experience for visitors. This has led us to reimagine all aspects of convention center design
from better urban planning to ensure the facility fits well with its urban context and
provides more opportunities for quality indoor/outdoor space, to hospitality level interior
design that ensures the guests experience is equal to or better than the hotel environments
that surround centers. In supplementing contiguous exhibition halls with unique breakout
meeting spaces, functional outdoor areas, high quality ballrooms and other multi-purpose
spaces that allow facilities to accommodate a wider variety of events, the evolution of
convention center design is providing the flexibility needed to broaden the marketability of
these facilities in challenging economic times.

Perhaps the most interesting of these convention center design trends is the growing desire
for functional outdoor space. For years, convention centers have adhered to the black box
model functional spaces that are void of natural light and therefore any genuine
architectural connection to the city they reside in. We are now not only designing more
meeting rooms and exhibit halls that incorporate natural light and exterior views, but we are
also blurring the lines between the interior and exterior of the building allowing meeting
planners the ability to program outdoor space as part of their event. Convention centers are

often located in urban centers and these outdoor spaces provide visitors a more direct
physical and visual connection to the city. In addition, cities as varied as Phoenix, Arizona,
Provo, Utah and San Jose, California are incorporating functional outdoor spaces
throughout to provide visitors a space for more intimate socializing and an opportunity to
break away from the conference momentarily to enjoy the city. An outdoor meeting space or
functional plaza can provide another unique outdoor experience that attracts convention or
exhibition attendees and provides them with a welcome break from the indoor exhibition
space. As convention center space becomes more multi-use, these outdoor spaces also
provide a selling point for convention center executives looking to rent space for private
parties or corporate events, making them a viable alternative to other event spaces in a city.

Ultimately, convention center spaces that reflect the citys culture and sense of community
result in a more authentic experience for visitors. Gone are the days of walking into a
convention center and feeling that you could be in any city in the world. These modern
spaces are unique and offer visitors a taste of the place they have traveled to, whether that
be San Jose or Sydney

Why Goa?

Leading from the Front

A flourishing Trading Culture and Major Port
Friendly People in a Healthy Environment
Electric Atmosphere
Smart Alternative for the Smart Investor
Extensive Support Systems
Innovative Ideas
Leading from the Front
Poets have waxed eloquent about the natural splendours of Goa.
At Goa Industrial Development Corporation (Goa IDC), we have been gearing up
industry for the last three and half decades and have tried to maintain a balance
between business, leisure and the environment.
To start an industry one needs, first of all, land and finding the land is what we are
best at. Leave it to us - the acquisition, the clearances, the fine print.
We have so far established twenty-two industrial estates. We speak from
experience. We are setting up many more industrial parks.
As you see, an impressive list. We'll do it for you too. Goa is both investorfriendly....and environment-friendly.
Trading Culture and Major Port
Goa takes great pride in the port of Mormugao - a major, modern and thriving port,
the highest exporter of iron ore in the country.

In addition a new, massive outer harbour is on the drawing board.

Goa will receive 2.5 million and above tourists by 2008, both international and
domestic.
New projects on the anvil include:
Software Technology Park.
Integrated Infrastructure Development Scheme Park (IID).
Film City.
Growth Centres.
ASIDE
Food Park / Wine Park/Bio-Tech Park/Pharma Park.

Sky-bus project.
Friendly People, Healthy Environment

Goans are courteous, intelligent, diligent, honest. Justifiably famous for their
hospitality.

But did you also know that:

Goa has one of the highest per capita income ratios in India.
One of the highest literacy rates, 82.32%.
The lowest birth rate, 18 per 1000 population.
The lowest death rate, 7.47 per 1000 population.
The highest road network density.
The highest doctor-to-patient ratio.
The highest hospital-bed-to-population ratio.
The lowest crime rate.
Harmonious industrial relations.
Electric Atmosphere

Goa's 'power base' is strong and well distributed. It's brightly lit bridges, roads and
highways is illuminating testimony to this fact. Even the smallest hamlet in Goa is
electrified.

Goa receives 394 MW from the Central Generating Stations besides 48 MW from
Reliance Salgaoncar Power Co. Ltd. The maximum demand in Goa is of the order of
305 MW. There is thus more than adequate supply to meet the demands of
uninterrupted power by the industrial sector.

For its future needs, the Power Grid Corporation of India has commissioned a 400 KV
transmission system that will enable Goa to draw power to the extent of 500 MW in
2003.

Goa is committed to excellence through E-Governance.

Information Technology is fuelling both economic prosperity and human

achievement. E-Governance will empower both the common man and
entrepreneurs to eradicate red tape and ensure the formation of an effective,
transparent and responsive administration.

Given its small land-mass, Goa welcomes tech-savvy industry.

Smart Alternative for the Smart Investor

We have a variety of offers to suit your requirements. What is the size of the
industry you plan to set up? Is it environment-friendly? Labour-intensive? Exportoriented? Has scope for future growth?

Be clear in your mind. And we will, as clearly, spell out for you financial packages,
suitable land and other facilities that will be yours for the asking once you decide to
set up an industry here.

Goa - the smartest alternative to any other location.

Extensive Support Systems

Goa also is the one Indian state fully electrified. In Goa, there is tap water even in
the smallest house, in the smallest village.

Goa abounds in educational facilities with Goa University as the premier centre of
learning. The state boasts of several professional colleges, including engineering,
polytechnics and ITIs. Management studies, law colleges Ayurvedic & homeopathic
college and a catering institute form vital chapters in the education volume of Goa.
The prestigious National Institute of Oceanography (NIO) is a leader in marine
research in India. The Goa Medical College is among the oldest in Asia.

Well-connected to the rest o India through road, rail, air and sea, Goa also boasts of
the highest per-capita--road-to-man ratio in the country. Most of the national airlines
have flights from Goa's airport. International carriers operate around 500 air charter
flights between Goa and countries like the UK, Germany, Russia, Sweden,
Switzerland, Finland and Norway.

The Konkan Railway (KRC) has facilitated the scope of trade and industry
tremendously. The successfully tested superfast Konkan Railway between Goa and
Panvel will eventually enhance tourism and the economy. The Sky-bus project will be
a boost to internal transportation.

Goa has an extensive telecom network too with optic-fibre technology, cellular
phones, and high speed Internet.
Innovative Ideas
By the time you arrive and settle in Goa, a whole lot of new but clean entertainment
ideas will have materialised. And while you put your money to good and profitable
use, remember, you will be setting up your industry in a Tax Holiday area, in a
beautiful environment, not an obscure corner of the country where such tax
holidays are presently available.

In Goa, the towns meet the countryside in harmony, rivers run alongside roads,
industrial estates are less than 30 kms from the sea side. Goa is where your
industry as well as the quality of your life will take an upward swing.

Goa - a State tailor-made for encouraging non-polluting and environment-friendly

industries.