The OCC joins a group of only 20 AIPC convention centres worldwide that have successfully achieved this level of international certification.
“The AIPC Quality Standards program was developed as an industry-specific certification for confirming and documenting a centre’s accomplishments in key areas of convention centre performance, and is the only such specifically purposed form of certification in the industry”, said AIPC President Edgar Hirt. “Ottawa Convention Centre is to be congratulated on having achieved the gold level in their audit as this demonstrates to owners, colleagues and clients that they are addressing international standards of performance in their management procedures”.
“Ottawa Convention Centre has always maintained a goal of achieving AIPC Quality Standards Gold certification” said President Patrick Kelly. “Receiving this official certification exemplifies that the OCC, Canada’s Meeting Place, is a premiere destination for conferences and conventions in Canada. I am very proud of our entire team for achieving this highly sought after designation after only our first year of operation.”
The program standards identified and audited address 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 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 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.
