Beyond the Stage: Photography and Videography at the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings in Bangkok

In October 2026, Bangkok hosted the Annual Meetings of the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank Group, two major international institutions. While the IMF focuses on global financial stability, the World Bank works to reduce poverty and support economic development.

Held from October 12 to 18 at the Queen Sirikit National Convention Center, the meetings brought together finance ministers, central bankers, business leaders and representatives from around the world to discuss major economic challenges, including economic growth, financial stability and development.

During the Annual Meetings week, Mandolin Media provided photography and videography coverage for Burgan Bank and Bretton Woods, capturing both formal proceedings and the interactions surrounding them. 

Capturing Executive Presence Beyond the Stage

Our video assignment for Burgan Bank focused on highlighting the presence of its executives during the Annual Meetings. With none of the Burgan Bank executives we were covering scheduled to speak on stage, the coverage centred on other moments: executive arrivals, networking conversations and short recorded statements.

Capturing panel discussions and exchanges between speakers on stage during the IMF–World Bank Annual Meetings week in Bangkok.

Each of these moments serves a different purpose in a video. Arrivals establish the setting, conversations show professional connections being made, and short recorded statements could add the executives’ own voices to the final videos. 

Together, these elements can create a narrative without relying on a formal speech, giving audiences a sense of the bank's participation and engagement throughout the event.

Documenting the Event Through Photography

Alongside the video production, our team also provided photography coverage for the Bretton Woods Committee across several events, from panel discussions and breakfast meetings to evening receptions and formal dinners.

Capturing audience reactions, from smiles to applause, helps bring the atmosphere and energy of the conference to life.

Photographing an event involves more than capturing the speakers on stage. While official presentations document the main discussions, candid interactions, audience reactions and informal conversations reveal another side of the gathering.

The aim was to create a visual record that reflected not only the formal programme, but also the people and connections that shaped each event.

Delivering Content on a Tight Schedule

Covering several events within a short timeframe requires careful preparation, especially when photographs and videos need to be delivered while the events are still taking place.

Unlike a controlled studio shoot, live events offer limited opportunities to capture important moments. An executive arrival, a spontaneous conversation or a brief interaction may happen only once. Identifying priorities in advance, coordinating schedules and understanding access restrictions are therefore essential parts of the planning process.

Capturing informal conversations and networking moments beyond the conference sessions.

With daily video recaps planned, the challenge was to turn footage from several different events into a short, coherent story while the meetings were still underway. 

For clients, this speed matters: timely content allows them to share their participation and communicate key moments while the event is still generating interest.

Extending the Event Beyond Bangkok

International conferences are not just about speeches and panel discussions. They also bring people together through networking, informal conversations and shared experiences. Our photography and video assignments aimed to document both the official programme and the interactions surrounding it, offering a broader perspective on the events.