Mérida, Yucatán — The Yucatán International Convention Center, Powered by Samsung, is set to open in March 2018, three months later than initially announced.
As construction of the facility is scheduled to be completed by year-end, development of a tourist corridor continues, with more than 15 new hotels planned, along with a retail plaza and cultural center to meet an anticipated 10 percent increase in demand for meeting services, reports International Meetings Review.
The convention center marks Samsung’s first business alliance in Latin America.
Giving the Korean-based corporation naming rights brings high technology to the center while promoting Yucatán and Mexico to the global market.
The convention center is also the only one in Mexico constructed with Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED-Gold) certification.
This sustainable venue has 13 events confirmed so far for 2018, bringing an economic impact of more than US$10.9 million.
The Yucatán International Convention Center was built with significant consideration given to its surrounding environment. Existing trees and even a cenote, found on the property during initial land clearing, have been incorporated into the design.
The ICC will accommodate groups of all sizes. The ground level main hall will seat 6,000 people, and can be divided into six smaller rooms, each for 1,000 visitors.
More intimate events can take advantage of the hall’s ability to be divided further into 12 rooms with the capacity to accommodate 500 people in each room. Regardless of size, all rooms are equipped with the same services offered in the large exhibition hall.
Two halls occupy the upper level, each offering event space for 2,000 attendees. The upper level also has two outdoor terraces for social gatherings. The open-air spaces can each accommodate up to 700 people.
The new ICC is expected to drive convention tourism and hotel occupancy far exceeding the 12,000 hotel rooms currently available in Mérida and Yucatán.
To meet this need, more than 15 new hotels, including international brands, are in the works to open nearby, bringing an estimated economic impact of more than US$55.9 million to the region in the next two years.
One of the closest new properties, on Avenida Colon, is the Hotel Wayam by Xixim, which will open its doors in time for the ICC’s grand opening in March 2018. The five-story hotel will be the first in the city to be LEED certified.
The original Art Deco house that is currently on site will serve as the new hotel’s lobby, and guests will have 29 rooms and 11 apartments to choose from, each insulated for noise.
A third-floor panoramic swimming pool will showcase the property’s lush trees and landscaping. Other amenities include a restaurant, event hall and terrace.
With information from International Meetings Review
