January 17, 2008
For Immediate Release

Conventions BC Initiative Receives International Award

Convention Centres across British Columbia were acknowledged with a prestigious international award for their industry development association, "Conventions BC". The Joint Meetings Industry Council (JMIC), a group that represents all major international meetings and convention-related organizations, presented the Profile and Power Award to Conventions BC for its creation of a fully integrated industry development initiative in British Columbia.

This initiative engaged communities throughout BC and all levels of government in promoting the meetings industry and its benefits as well as developing new industry standards and growth opportunities for BC's five established convention centres.

"Through Conventions BC, the meetings industry in British Columbia has been able to work effectively together and gain synergies from their combined marketing efforts," said the Honourable Rona Ambrose, President of the Queen's Privy Council for Canada, Minister of Intergovernmental Affairs and Minister of Western Economic Diversification. "The Government of Canada is proud to have supported Conventions BC since its creation, and congratulates its members on this prestigious international award."

"The Conventions BC program is a deserving winner of the Profile and Power Award, as it combined industry development with education and community and local government engagement", said Leigh Harry, Council Member and International Conference and Conventions Association President. "In addition to its industry development activities, the program created new tools, including an economic impact model and a set of quality standards for convention centres to document their economic arguments and enhance their competitive edge. These programs have subsequently been adopted by other industry organizations and are providing a base for demonstrating industry performance in various parts of the world".

Conventions BC is a marketing and product development consortium consisting of BC's five major convention centres: the Vancouver Convention & Exhibition Centre, the Victoria Conference Centre, The Prince George Civic Centre, the Penticton Trade and Convention Centre and the TELUS Whistler Conference centre.

An important part of the Conventions BC program was that it integrated industry awareness with performance measurement, so that members were not only explaining the role that meetings and conventions could play in growing the local and provincial economies but actually documenting that value at the same time. In addition, the program showed the commitment of participants to performance excellence by developing programs such as a quality standards code that promoted and demonstrated best practices amongst members.

The Honourable Stan Hagen, whose Ministry provided funding for a number of Conventions BC initiatives, said the timing of the award was particularly appropriate given the lead up to 2010. "The Province's investment in the 2010 Winter Olympic Games has always been intended to grow business opportunities for BC's future and ensure that these are well distributed throughout British Columbia", said Hagen. "Growth in convention business is a key part of our expectations, and international recognition like this will help Conventions BC member centres across the province to take advantage of the new marketing opportunities that will result from a higher global profile."

The JMIC Power and Profile Award was established by the Council as a way of recognizing individuals and organizations who have made significant contributions to advancing the awareness and influence of the Meetings Industry in their respective communities. The winner is selected each year based on criteria which evaluate the efforts of an individual or organization in increasing industry profile.

JMIC – the Joint Meetings Industry Council – was established in 1978 as a vehicle for creating a forum for the exchange of information and perspectives amongst international associations engaged in various aspects of the Meetings Industry. It has met annually each year and served as a link between its member organizations as well as a means of reviewing industry conditions and strategies.

JMIC members include AIPC (The International Association of Congress Centres); COCAL (The Latin American Confederation of PCO and Related Companies); ECM (European Cities Marketing); IAPCO (The International Association of Professional Congress Organizers); ICCA (The International Congress and Convention Association); MPI (Meeting Professionals International) EVVC, the European Association of Event Centres and SITE (the Society of Incentive & Travel Executives).

For more information, contact:
Jocelyn Jenkyns
Chair, Conventions BC
Acting General Manager
(250) 361-1035
jocelynj@victoriaconference.com