VANCOUVER — Vancouver was ranked top convention city in Canada and second in North America, according to Watkins Research Group’s biennial Meeting and Convention Planners Survey, it was announced Aug. 4.
Watkins’ rankings are based on responses from nearly 900 industry planners and decision makers from around the world.
The honours awarded to Vancouver include number one for Client Advocate Score, a calculation indicating whether respondents would advocate or promote the destination to peers planning future events; number one for superior convention centre facilities; number one for superior convention centre services; number one for being a safe and secure destination; and number one for superior convention and visitors bureau/destination marketing organization.
“Vancouver’s impressive results are a testament to client dedication and to the pride the entire hospitality community has for their city,” said Curt Watkins, founder of the Watkins Research Group.
“Million Dollar Round Table met in Vancouver this past June, and we were blown away by the dedication, professionalism and welcoming nature of the city’s hospitality community,” said Ray Kopcinski, director of meeting services, Million Dollar Round Table. “The meeting achieved record attendance with close to 11,500 people, and a major part of that was Vancouver’s appeal as a destination.”
Visitation to Vancouver from business and leisure travellers alike remains strong. Recently, the International Congress and Convention Association named Vancouver the top meetings destination in North America. The city also received the Skytrax award for number-one airport in North America (the seventh consecutive year Vancouver International Airport has received the award); Best Destination in Canada, according to Travel Weekly’s poll of more than 12,000 travel professionals; and TravelAge West’s Editor’s Pick Award for Canadian destination with the highest client satisfaction.
In celebration of the Watkins ranking, Tourism Vancouver and the Vancouver Convention Centre have coordinated a social media campaign, including blog posts and a video, to thank the meeting professionals who completed the Watkins survey and awarded the city its top ranking, as well as the local hospitality industry.
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