When IACC's Global Internet Committee convened in San Francisco last summer to review proposed upgrades to their popular website, the concept of a Seal of Approval on each property's individual homepage was a key item of discussion. Steve Smith, IACC Director of Quality Services, applauded the concept as providing the property with that 'extra something that continues to help an IACC property stand out as an exceptional conference center.' Smith added, "It provides the meeting planner with an up-front statement that the property is approved by IACC."

John Worthington of the Conference Center at Water's Edge in Beverly, Massachusetts, agrees. As the first IACC member property to incorporate the IACC- Seal of Approval on the homepage of their website, Worthington observed, "The IACC Seal of Approval" is basically a promise to our customers that we have met all the criteria and that we are committed to providing an outstanding environment for productive and successful meetings."

Meeting Planner Pamela Wynne of Educational Testing Service in Princteon, NJ also speaks highly of the seal. "The IACC Seal is a clear indication that the property understands the critical nature of a meeting," Wynne commented, "as soon as I know the property is an IACC-approved venue, they go to the top of my list". 
 
"The idea behind the IACC Seal", said Rodman Marymor, President of IACC's Internet Partner, Cardinal Communications, "is that the IACC name carries a high level of equity for each of its members...it means something specific and it says something significant about who the member is, how the member operates their business, and helps define the kind of expectations of which customers may be assured when doing business at an IACC center."
 
The Seal, which is directly connected to the IACC member database, displays the member URL, Chapter and Name/Address. Example: http://www.iacconline.org/index.cfm?fuseaction=seal&m=7294. Only current members in good standing are eligible to display this dynamic verification of their IACC membership.
 
Celebrating its Silver Anniversary, the International Association of Conference Centers, founded in 1981, is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting understanding and awareness of the conference center industry. Active members meet a set of stringent Universal Criteria and agree to a Code of Ethics. Currently, the association includes approximately 400 members from the United States, Australia, Canada, Denmark, Sweden, France, England, The Netherlands, Germany and Japan. For more information, visit the website at www.iacconline.org.

James M. Mahon
Global Director of Marketing
 and Public Relations, IACC
914 548 5835
JMahon@iacconline.org