One Works’ JV PPS One Works, together with Project Planning Service (PPS) and the International Air Rail Organisation (IARO), are pleased to say that InnoCon 2019 (the International Air Rail Transport Summit in Bangkok) was a success and was well-received by over 500 attendees who came out to hear more than 40 speakers from over 30 countries.
As we have said, the time is now to invest in Thailand. And, with digital technology continuing to power a new era of construction, the participants have gone back to their respected organisations with more knowledge about Thailand’s infrastructure plans, along with ways to best leverage new design and technology for the benefit of their project teams, clients and, most importantly, the end users.
Managing Partner, Giulio De Carli, was pleased to see that the numbers of participants and sponsors were more than expected, and he was especially proud of the turn-up from all the excellent speakers who have shown their full support for the event.
"We believe that the InnoCon event this year was better than the last, both in terms of how we organised it, and the contents that we have provided at the event. ” he proclaimed. “Furthermore, I would like to say thank you to all of our sponsors for making this a success for everyone" - One Works Managing Partner, Giulio De Carli
PPS OneWorks Board Director, Dr Phongthon used the opportunity to open the summit with a special thank you to Ambassador Lorenzo Galanti of Italy who help lifted InnoCon to another level, with more support from major players in public and private sector through his involvement.
The event was also well-supported by the Ministry of Transport, especially from Former Minister, Dr Arkhom Termpittayapaisith and the current Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Thaworn Senneam who attended the event.
"The support from government agencies is one of the major reasons why the private sector have shown up,” he added. “The presence and the collaboration with IARO is also another pull for the event and we are very happy to have organised this with them. Basically, without the support from the government sector and our friends from abroad, the summit would never have happened the way it had" - Deputy Minister of Transport, Mr Thaworn Senneam
PPS OneWorks promises to improve the InnoCon summit in the coming years since there are many things that could be enhanced to create a stronger relationships with the international community. This ambition was reflected by the comments from Giulio De Carli, Board Director at PPS OneWorks and Managing Partner at One Works.
"We are delighted and proud to be able to host this insightful summit for Thailand and the wider region – as an innovative and creative industry,” he said. “It is important we continue to share data, experience and expertise from around the world to build the next generation of infrastructures. Every year this event gets bigger and better, and so we are looking forward to 2020!" - Giulio De Carli, Board Director at PPS OneWorks and Managing Partner at One Works
During the summit, Dr Kerati Kijimanawat, Assistant Chief Executive Officer in Business Development Division at Index International Group provided updates on the country’s 20-years transport development strategy from 2018 to 2037 and how Bang Sue Grand Station will be the new hub for the entire system.
Andrew Acquaah-Harrison, Chief Executive Advisor at GMR Group expanded on the importance of an urban railway connection between international airport and downtown. Meanwhile, Latchida Apaphant, Vice President of Airports of Thailand‘s Corporate Strategy Department, provided the progress of the master plans for Suvarnabhumi, Don Mueang and U-Tapao airports, citing the need for expansions from the expected increase of visitors in the coming years.
She also touched upon the development of the high-speed railway to connect the three airports and revealed that the State Railway of Thailand’s Dark Line connecting Bang Sue and Don Mueang International Airport should be open by next year.
Special guest, James Cornelius, Public Transport Strategy Lead at London’s Heathrow International Airport shared some impressive insights into their sustainable travel strategy and how it is supporting their ambitious expansion plans.
The summit was also used a launch pad for the upcoming PPS One Works/Oracle whitepaper “Design and Data: Building the foundations for a Smart City Airport”. Giulio De Carli and Senior Vice President - Oracle EMEA, Asia Pacific & Japan, Han Chung Heng, gave a glimpse of the whitepaper that examines the opportunities to use technology and data continuously and seamlessly in the design, planning, managing and evolution of airport cities around the world. As people and business becomes more interconnected, aviation demand is growing worldwide.
Meanwhile, one of our key sponsors, Emmanuel De Zylva, Vice President of Solutions Engineering at InEight had this to say.
"At InEight we are always keen to demonstrate the power of efficient construction project management software technology, which is why we were really pleased to be part of this year’s InnoCon 2019 event and engage with such a high-profile and enthusiastic audience" - Emmanuel De Zylva, Vice President of Solutions Engineering at InEight
To sum up, Latchida Apaphant, Vice President of Airports of Thailand‘s (AOT) Corporate Strategy Department says that international speakers at InnoCon 2019 is what impressed her the most, especially the presence of London Heathrow Airport.
"The topics were very interesting, and the international speakers have covered all of the important aspects here,” she says. “The participants have gained a lot knowledge from updated information and first-hand experiences that can effectively be used by various organisations in the future" - Latchida Apaphant, Vice President of Airports of Thailand‘s (AOT) Corporate Strategy Department
When asked if she would return to speak or participate at the InnoCon summit next year, the answer was astoundingly “yes” and we would like to welcome everyone back to our event in 2020 when we would try to make it even better.
"InnoCon will become an annual event” Dr Phongthon reveals. “The chance to meet with partners and gain update on business opportunities will continue next year"
We thank again our speakers for their time and dedication:
- Mr. Thaworn Senneam - Deputy Minister - Ministry of Transportation, Thailand
- H.E Lorenzo Galanti - Italian Ambassador to Thailand
- Mr. Prinn Panitchpakdi - Advisor to the Deputy Prime Ministry and Board Director of New Economy
- Mr. Somprasong Suttayamully - Director, Fare Media Office at Mass Rapid Transit Authority of Thailand (MRTA)
- Mrs. Phakkra Ruangsiradecho - Thai Airways International
- Dr. Kerati Kijmanawat - Assistant Chief Executive Officer in Business Development Division at Index International Group Co., Ltd.
- Mr. Andrew Acquaah-Harrison - Chief Executive Advisor at GMR Group
- Latchida Apaphant - Vice President , Strategic Planning at Airports of Thailand (AOT)
- Mr. James Cornelius - Public Transport Strategy Lead at Heathrow International Airport
- Mr. Han Chung Heng - Senior Vice President at Oracle Systems, International
- As well as key representatives from: Mahanakorn Partners Group, InEight Inc., Johnson Controls International (Thailand), JLL Thailand, Bangkok Metropolitan Administration (BMA), Delta Electronics (Thailand), Bombardier Transportation Thailand Ltd., LAO Railway, and more.