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Ottawa Convention Centre Achieves AIPC Quality Standards Gold Certification
The Ottawa Convention Centre has achieved AIPC Quality Standards Gold Certification with the successful completion of an audit by the designated external auditor for AIPC (International Association of Congress Centres). The OCC joins a group of only 20 AIPC convention centres worldwide that have successfully achieved this level of international certification.
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he program standards identified and audited ten key areas, including Customer Service, Quality of Facilities and Operations, Employee Relations, Health, Safety, Security and Emergency Response, Financial Integrity, Community Relations, Environmental Responsibility, Industry Relations and Supplier Relations. Members who complete the audit process uniformly report that it not only serves to document their procedures but also enables them to clarify any shortcomings for corrective action. The process is also seen as being an excellent team-building exercise because it involves all management staff in a collaborative effort with a clear accomplishment at the end. “In times when competition amongst various
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centres and destinations is more intense than ever, the AIPC Quality Standards program is a valuable way for managers to ensure they are delivering quality – a form of documentation that serves many purposes, including the reassurance of clients”, said AICP President Edgar Hirt. Ottawa Convention Centre celebrated its first anniversary April 13, 2012 with 562 events taking place in its first year of operation, generating over $83 million in economic impact for the city of Ottawa. Ottawa Convention Centre is an agency of the government of Ontario. For further information, contact: Daniel Coates, Ottawa Convention Centre 613-688-8220 dcoates@ottawaconventioncentre.com
New Meeting Space in Calgary
The Calgary Marriott Hotel, adjacent to the Calgary Telus Convention Centre, has always been a premiere venue for the convention and meeting industry. But with client needs growing and changing, the hotel reconfigured and expanded its meeting space to over 8,000 square feet. The addition includes a new banquet and meeting room that can hold up to 150 people classroom style. It can be turned into two separate breakout areas. The boardrooms on the main floor provide more options for last minute meeting needs. In addition to expanding the meeting space, the hotel decor was upgraded. The new meeting rooms now have large windows, allowing more natural light into the space. According to Don Tomie, Director of Operations at the Calgary Marriot Hotel, “the windows, which are energy efficient with automatic window coverings, keep the cold and heat out but still allow guests to see outside without compromising the integrity of visual presentations.” This added natural light will increase productivity and energize event attendees. And with clients and planners demanding better technology access, the wireless bandwidth was increased significantly, providing a more streamlined and consistent level of service. For further information: www.marriott.com/hotels/travel/yycdt-calgary-marriott-downtown-hotel/
Volume 10, Issue 5