The success of the new center could be replicated, but there is no definition

The economic impact left by the activities carried out in the Panama Convention Center in 2023 is estimated at 90 million dollars with the attendance of more than 240 thousand visitors.

With this result, it is interesting to know if ASM Global, the company that manages the convention center in the country, is interested in other venues.

“ASM Global is always looking for new buildings, because what we offer is professional management with all the added values,” said Rodolfo Del Valle, manager of the Panama Convention Center.

In Panama, there is a center soon to be delivered in the city of Chitré and it is also being studied what to do with Atlapa, which is managed by the state, not forgetting the old Figali which is near the new convention center.

The current reality is that it has not yet been defined how these facilities will be managed, so there cannot be an offer from a company like the one that manages and promotes the Amador Congress Center.

As for Chitré, the former Minister of Tourism, Iván Eskildsen, stated that the option of concessioning its management, as happened with the Amador center, was being considered.

As for Atlapa, the last thing that is known is that there is an intention to turn it into a cultural center, but it has not been said whether it is planned to be given to a concession, after it has tried to be sold on two occasions in the past.

As for the old Figali, where Miss Universe 2003 was held and which served as a temporary hospital during the covid-19 pandemic, the entity that manages it is the Administrative Unit of Recovered Assets (UABR).

The director of UABR, Fernando Paniagua, said in previous statements for this media that rehabilitation is planned so that this space can continue to be used for holding concerts and festive activities.

On the occasion of the World Robotics Olympiad, works were carried out inside and outside, including changing the roof.

Pictures and projections

Last year, 81 events were held in the Panama Convention Center, 29 of which were international, which generated an income of 7.5 million dollars.

There could have been more, but the social crisis in November led to the postponement of some conventions, such as the Tobacco Summit organized by the Ministry of Health, which will be held this month.

On the other hand, 6,643 jobs were created, almost 80% more than in 2022, and the income received by these temporary workers was $1.1 million, 49% more than last year.

For this year, the goal is to exceed 100 events and 250 thousand visitors.