Island’s Premier Convention Center Recognized by International Experts
San Juan, P.R. – – The Puerto Rico Convention Center (PRCC) announced today that it was awarded two prestigious international awards , including the “World’s Top Convention Center Award 2011”, as conferred by Trade Show Executive.
The Puerto Rico Convention Center also won the “Inner Circle Award 2011” for the second year in a row. This award, one of the most prestigious awards in the global conventions industry, was conferred by “Association Meetings,” a publication specializing in meetings and conventions worldwide.
“We are thrilled to receive these awards, given by our colleagues and clients in the highly competitive conventions industry,” said PRCC General Manager Blarys Segarra. “We do operate a state of the art facility and we do work a first-class destination…But staying at the top of a global industry that constantly searches for new elements, more and better service and innovation, requires an extra passion that can only be credited to our excellent team, a group of committed employees who operate our Conventions Center and who always go the extra mile.”
The awards are given by national and international experts who lead the conventions, trade shows, meetings and corporate groups industry, noted Segarra, “The people who voted for both these awards dedicate their lives and work to travelling, evaluating and really getting to know hundreds of convention centers around the world.”
“The fact that we are in their radar…leading the pack, at the top of the lists of the world’s best convention centers not only speaks well of the people who work here, but of each and every person that these visitors come in contact with, speak to and get to know on their path through our island,” Segarra said. “These awards belong to Puerto Rico, because with our positive attitude we all contribute to maintain and increase the economic impact that these groups represent to Puerto Rico…it also helps to place Puerto Rico in their minds and agendas for future visits.”
Jaime López, Chief Development Officer of the Economic and Commerce Development Consortium of Puerto Rico, expressed satisfaction with the awards.
“We are very proud of the Puerto Ricans leading the conventions and groups business at the Conventions Center,” said Jaime Lopez, Chief Development Officer of the Economic and Commerce Development Consortium and former Tourism Director for Puerto Rico. “We see the results of their initiatives and hard work not only in the growing number of conventions but in every client’s the level of satisfaction, which makes them want to come back and bring their business to Puerto Rico. These awards are fantastic accolades for this team of professionals and for the tourism industry of Puerto Rico.”
California-based Trade Show Executive (TSE) annually rewards the best conventions centers in the world, with awards that are known as the “Conventions Industry Emmys.” Directors and editorial team members recognize the convention centers that best manage the needs of planners, clients, exhibitors and visitors.
The “Inner Circle Award” is awarded annually by readers of the publication and experts in the management and coordination of groups , meetings and conventions. The Prize is awarded to facilities based on how best each has serviced their meetings and conventions during the past year. Each year 70 winners are chosen in the categories of hotels , resorts , conference centers and convention centers . The winners were announced in August and were published in the October 2011 Edition of Association Meetings.
“Association Meetings” (AM) is the only independent publication focused exclusively on association meetings and conventions. The publication reaches national, international, regional and large state associations that meet outside their state. AM reaches 12,365 different associations, and 19,300 subscribers who have responsibility for planning meetings and conventions for the association market. The average annual budget AM readers allocate for meeting and trade show activity is $827,583; while 13 is the average number of meetings they plan annually.
Inaugurated in 2005, the Puerto Rico Convention Center is owned by the Convention Center District Authority, a public corporation part of the Ministry of Economic Development of Puerto Rico. The PRCC is managed since its inauguration by SMG, the world’s leading management, marketing and operation company of convention centers in the U.S. and various countries throughout the world, including Canada, United Kingdom, Mexico , Ireland , Poland , Germany , Norway , Chile and Puerto Rico.
