The OCC was amongst 27 qualified finalists vying for the award at the 2014 AIPC Annual Conference in Berlin, Germany. The Cairns Convention Centre (Australia) won the title, followed closely by the Ottawa Convention Centre and the Palais des Congrès de Montréal.
“To be named a runner up, after just three years of operation against the stiffest competition of major convention centres in the world is truly remarkable”, said OCC Board of Directors Chair Marc Seaman. “This is a major step towards increasing the brand awareness of the OCC and Ottawa within our national and international markets.”
The AIPC Apex Award is presented bi-annually on the basis of a comprehensive analysis of convention centre performance based on customer satisfaction surveys. An independent evaluation process carried out by Ipsos, a recognized international market research company, ensures an objective analysis of the data which addresses all areas of convention centre performance and management.Finalists included convention centres from Canada, Australia, United States, South Africa, Japan, Ireland, Austria and France.
“The Apex award is one of the most prestigious titles in the world for our industry” said OCC President & CEO Pat Kelly. “To be recognized as one of the very best convention centres in the world, and knowing that the results are based exclusively on client feedback, is extremely gratifying to our entire OCC team. It reflects our vision of Inspired People Creating Extraordinary Events, and I couldn’t be prouder of our OCC colleagues. On behalf of the OCC team and our Team Ottawa partners, I’d like to congratulate our colleagues at the Cairns Convention Centre, a truly remarkable facility, and also recognize the Palais des Congrès de Montréalfor their excellent showing in the APEX competition.”
“Being named a finalist and runner up in the AIPC APEX Awards is a tremendously impressive achievement for the Ottawa Convention Centre, especially after being in operation for a few short years after opening their beautiful new facility” remarked Geoff Donaghy, President, AIPC. “AIPC represents over 170 of the world’s best convention centres. Your current and future clients, in Ottawa and Canada should be proud to learn it is home to one of the world’s best facilities dedicated to excellence in convention centre management.”
In 2012, OCC achieved AIPC Gold Certification for excellence in facility management and operations, and LEED Gold accreditation for sustainable construction and operations.
“The Ottawa Convention Centre has been a key tourism asset for the city since its opening in 2011,” says Noel Buckley, President and CEO of Ottawa Tourism. “It is not only integral to our success in attracting national and international conferences to Canada’s capital; it’s a jewel in our skyline as well.”
Ottawa Convention Centre is an Agency of the Government of Ontario.
AboutOttawa Convention Centre – Canada’s Meeting Place
A bold, modern design, bright naturally-lit interior with magnificent views…the Ottawa Convention Centre offers an unparalleled, environmentally-responsible setting for Ottawa conventions, conferences, meetings and exhibits – large and small. Its 100 ft. / 31 m. high sweeping window façade faces the Rideau Canal UNESCO World Heritage Site and Parliament Hill.
192,000 sq. ft. / 17,837 sq. m. of usable space
28 meeting rooms in maximum configuration
55,741 sq. ft. / 5,178 sq. m. multipurpose hall with capacity 6,260 theatre-style, 4,600 banquet style
19,032 sq. ft. / 1,768 sq. m. ballroom with view of the Rideau Canal and Parliament Hill
crEATe kitchen studio – createkitchen.ca
About the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC)
The AIPC was founded in 1958 and represents a global network of over 170 leading centres in 54 countries with the active involvement of more than 900 management-level professionals worldwide. It is committed to encouraging and recognizing excellence in convention centre management, based on the diverse experience and expertise of its international representation, and maintains a variety of educational, research, networking and standards programs to achieve this. AIPC also celebrates and promotes the essential role of the international meetings industry in supporting economic, academic and professional development and enhancing global relations amongst highly diverse business and cultural interests.
The World’s Best Congress Centre award initiative was created in 2000 and currently represents the highest international distinction for quality and excellence in conference centre management.