Global competition among convention centres and destinations is more intense than ever, so centres need to be able to differentiate themselves. One way to do this is by demonstrating adherence to the highest and most relevant management standards, which not only creates an
advantage among increasingly discerning clients but also provides owners with the confidence they need that the centre is being managed efficiently.
It’s for these reasons that we have adopted the AIPC (International Association of Convention Centres) Quality Standards (QS) programme for the AEG Ogden portfolio of international convention centres.
Four of our managed facilities in Brisbane, Cairns, Darwin and Kuala Lumpur, have achieved Gold level certification over the past two years, with others including the Qatar National Convention Centre (just opened) and Oman Convention and Exhibition Centre (about to commence construction) following suit as they come on stream.
The QS designation is only achieved through an exhaustive audit of all major factors in convention centre management carried out by an independent business process auditor. It is a rigorous but rewarding process that challenges our managers to achieve the very best in their respective operations.
However, having identified the importance of the designation itself, we’ve discovered that the process also offers other benefits which complement those we also see through our pursuit of other relevant accreditations such as ISO and various environmental standards. This has been seen in a variety of ways by our centre managers. In Darwin, it has taken the form of increased credibility in the community and enhanced pride among staff. Our General Manager Malu Barrios noted that the QS gold certification “not only validated our venue’s capability to provide world class standards but has also inspired staff to keep doing well and be proud of their association with the Darwin Convention Centre and AEG Ogden. This has resulted in increasing loyalty and the centre being recognised as preferred employer”.
At the Cairns Convention Centre, GM Ross Steele sees QS accreditation as a logical complement to the venue’s having been awarded the AIPC Apex Award for ‘World’s Best Convention Centre’.
“It was logical that Cairns Convention Centre applied for AIPC QS certification, and to have achieved Gold status is acknowledgement of just how well the team meets the needs and expectation of both our clients and our owners,” Steele noted.
Being the first centre in Malaysia to receive such a certification and being a member of an exclusive global ‘club’ were among the biggest benefits to the Kuala Lumpur Convention Centre, according to the centre’s GM, Datuk Peter Brokenshire.
“The certification recognises the way our team performs and operates within every aspect of the business and will now be a source of pride,” Brokenshire said.
The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre saw AIPC Gold designation as a key element in its strategic plan. GM Bob O’Keefe said its overall commitment had been to provide a sustainable future for staff, clients and the community and that achieving this certification was a logical progression.
“This award adds stimulus and further credence to our strategic direction and is an imperative in today’s very competitive global marketplace,” said O’Keefe.
As an organisation with operations in different parts of the world, there are other benefits such as centres being enabled to achieve consistently high management quality while still recognising the reality and the importance of highly variable operating environments.
This was first published in the Issue 3 2012 CMW. Any comments? Email cmw@mashmedia.net
