Durban ICC named a finalist in the 2018 AIPC Apex Awards

The Durban International Convention Centre (Durban ICC) has now been confirmed as one of 17 finalists in the 2018 edition of the prestigious AIPC Apex Award competition for “Best Client Rated Convention Centre”. The final determination of the Apex Award winner will be made in advance of its presentation at the 2018 International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC) Annual Conference in London UK in early July.

This award, which has been maintained by the AIPC for over 20 years, has achieved international recognition and respect due to the fact that competitors are rated entirely on the basis of a comprehensive set of ratings from centre clients tabulated by the global market research company Ipsos.

“The AIPC Apex Award has a long and highly respected history in the meetings market which means the winner gains a great deal of respect from peers and leverage in the market, said AIPC President Aloysius Arlando. “This of course translates into better business prospects – but experience has shown that it doesn’t end there. It is also a source of pride amongst staff and a boost in community appreciation, both of which are also of great benefit to a centre, and that’s why being a finalist is in itself a real accomplishment”.

Commenting on the announcement of the finalists, Durban ICC CEO, Lindiwe Rakharebe noted, “The Apex Award is an outstanding accolade for an international convention centre to win, which is why it is so fiercely contested. As we celebrate our 21st Anniversary this year, we are extremely proud to have been named in the list of finalists once again in 2018. This accolade affirms our position as Africa’s leading convention centre, a title which our passionate and dedicated team strives to live up to every day.”

Arlando noted that for 2018 Ipsos has surveyed over 1843 client references put forward by participating centres – a significant sample that illustrates the comprehensive nature of client polling. “This means that we are talking about a very strong basis for the evaluation of competitors, and again, the reason for the credibility of this award”.

AIPC is an association comprising over 185 international convention centres in some 60 countries world-wide. Its mission is to encourage, support and recognize excellence in convention centre management and to maintain a range of programming that addresses this mission.

– ENDS