San Diego Convention Center Earns AIPC Gold Certification
The San Diego Convention Center recently earned a gold certification from the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC), the only convention facility in the nation and the second in North America to achieve gold status, the highest attainable level.
The AIPC Quality Standard Certification program is an industry-specific process developed to document accomplishments and to evaluate key areas of convention center performance. Only 11 AIPC centers worldwide have successfully achieved certification, and six other centers are in various stages of the process.
The certification process examines 10 key areas such as customer service, quality of facilities and operations, employee relations, health, safety, security and emergency response, financial integrity, community relations, environmental responsibility, industrial relations and supplier relations.
Convention centers seeking certification are required to submit documentation demonstrating how each standard is addressed as well as the measures in place to gauge success and to improve shortcomings.
AIPC is one of the leading associations for professional convention and exhibition centers managers world-wide and occupies a unique position among the various organizations that represent the meetings industry. An international organization, with representation from more than 53 countries, AIPC focuses specifically on the issues, opportunities and challenges facing convention and exhibition centers. It celebrates and promotes the multicultural dimension of the international meetings industry and the role facilities play in enhancing it. www.visitsandiego.com
New Battelle Grand At Greater Columbus Convention Center Largest Ballroom In Ohio
Battelle Grand, the SMG-managed Greater Columbus Convention Center’s new multipurpose ballroom that is the largest in Ohio, opened earlier this year after an extensive 16-month, $40 million renovation.
Offering 74,000 square feet, including 50,000 square feet on the main floor and 24,000 square feet on the mezzanine, Battelle Grand is receiving accolades from meeting planners.
“Battelle Grand is not only the largest ballroom in Ohio and divisible into five different configurations, it offers floor-to-ceiling windows with views of the city, combined with an LED ceiling lighting system capable of 65,000 different color combinations,” said SMG Regional General Manager Craig M. Liston. “Battelle Grand is truly a unique space providing a setting and flexibility second to none.” In addition to Battelle Grand, the renovation also involved creation of a newly decorated Center Lounge gathering space within the Food Court & Shops area, the upscale 36 on the Boulevard window-lined meeting room, additional meeting rooms, new elevators, escalators, carpeting and furnishings throughout the facility. www.columbusconventions.com
Staples to Head Spokane Regional CVB’s New Washington, DC, Office
The Spokane (WA) Regional Convention & Visitors Bureau has invested in a satellite office in Washington, DC. Karen Staples, CMP, CASE, will represent the Spokane Regional CVB full-time as director of sales for the Washington, DC, office.
Staples, a 20-year veteran of the convention and meetings industry, most recently served as the 2009 chairman of CVBREPS, an association of Convention & Visitors Bureaus represented in the Washington, DC, market. Staples is an active member in the American Society of Association Executives, Professional Convention Management Association, New York Society of Association Executives, New England Society of Association Executives and Meeting Planners International. www.visitspokane.com