Raleigh Convention Center Chosen the South’s ‘Most Creative and Professional’ Meeting Site

In three years of operation, the Raleigh Convention Center has earned a sterling reputation.

The December issue of ConventionSouth, a leading trade magazine, highlights the South’s “most creative and professional” meeting sites as selected by readers. The Raleigh Convention Center earned its honor after a year of hosting colorful, precisely conducted events ranging from:

• The national Plug-In Conference, featuring the entire selection of cutting-edge electric vehicles to;
   
• The Big Rock Sports Show featuring every outdoor enthusiast’s “must haves” to;
   
• The Internet Summit which brought the nation’s leading digital dynamos to town.

“To have made such a great name for itself in just three years is really commendable,” Mayor Nancy McFarlane said in response to the reader’s choice award. “But to have made a name in the convention business during this recession is truly fantastic.

“The Raleigh Convention Center’s reputation is only going to soar higher as more and more people have the opportunity to visit,” she said. “It is not only the fabulous facility; it is the staff that knows no limits except what it takes to make an event perfect.”

The Raleigh Convention Center’s Marketing Director Laurie Okun reinforced Mayor McFarlane’s sentiments saying, “The award is a testament to our terrific staff and also to our city and region.

“Many events come to the Raleigh Convention Center because of local connections,” she said. “And many promise to come back because of the hospitality and excitement meeting attendees experience everywhere they go in Raleigh.”

The Raleigh Convention Center welcomed 351 events during fiscal year 2011 and hosted 402,787 guests. This translates to approximately 69,000 new room nights in Wake County hotels adding up to around $55 million of direct spending in the community, according to the Greater Raleigh Convention and Visitors Bureau. 

For more information, contact Billy Warden, 919-412-0630 or Greg Behr, 919-272-5621.