Spectra, the provider of Venue Management to the Owensboro Convention Center, is honored to announce the distinction of being named one of EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2022 Centers of Excellence, honoring North America’s top 30 convention centers for trade shows and events.
“It is a huge honor for the Owensboro Convention Center to be named one of the top 30 convention centers in North America, especially during a pandemic when there is a labor shortage and constant changes,” stated Laura Alexander, General Manager with Spectra Venue Management. “We have been working to receive this distinction since opening the building and am extremely proud of our team for working together to achieve this award.”
The 30 highest-scoring venues were named among EXHIBITOR Magazine’s 2022 Centers of Excellence, and they will be featured in the October/November issue of EXHIBITOR, as well as via an online portal where readers can learn more about each of the 30 facilities that qualified for this honor. The portal, housed within the Find It – Marketplace website, enables face-to-face marketers to quickly and easily research potential event venues and learn more about the convention centers that are hosting the trade shows and exhibitions on their annual calendars.
“From day one when we opened the facility, our staff has strived to provide exceptional service to everyone who enters the venue,” stated Tim Ross, Director of Public Events with the City of Owensboro. “Gaining repeat business from so many of our valued clients who continue to bring their events back year after year has shown that the staff is accomplishing that goal. Being recognized as a Center of Excellence is a tremendous honor that we are very proud to receive.”
Applicants were evaluated using an objective algorithm and rigorous grading scale based on five primary categories:
- Facility & Functionality
- Location & Accommodations
- Service & Execution
- Expansions & Upgrades
- Honors & Awards
The evaluation also included a survey of event planners, show organizers, and exhibit managers who have recently hosted (or exhibited at) trade shows and events within each facility, as well as a review of entrants’ event spaces, primary selling points, nearby attractions, and innovations, conducted by a panel of corporate exhibit managers.
“While individual exhibit managers rarely have a say in where their trade shows are held, they are often the ones most impacted by that decision. This is their opportunity to give credit where credit is due and celebrate the exhibitor-friendly venues that do their part to make trade shows and events as smooth, successful, and painless as possible,” said Travis Stanton, editor of EXHIBITOR magazine. “Simply by virtue of being included in this list, these facilities have proven their ability to host trade shows and events of all shapes and sizes while providing world-class service and state-of-the-art accommodations.”
In addition to being named one of North America’s 30 best venues for trade shows and events, the Owensboro Convention Center is also in consideration for the Best Customer Service & On-Site Support special award. EXHIBITOR will be announcing the finalists on November 23 via a virtual ceremony with the winners being announced during a second virtual ceremony on December 6 held in conjunction with IAEE’s Expo! Expo!
The Owensboro Convention Center joins fellow Spectra venues Duke Energy Convention Center in Cincinnati, Ohio and Overland Park Convention Center in Overland Park, Kansas on the list of 2022 Centers of Excellence.
