—Honour bestowed by Edmonton Chapter of Meeting Professionals International

Sept. 17, 2009

The Shaw Conference Centre (SCC) is the recipient of this year’s ‘Venue of the Year” award which was presented at the annual Events Management Awards hosted recently by The Greater Edmonton Chapter of Meeting Professionals International (MPI).

The SCC won for hosting and supporting last April’s MPI-driven event known as National Meetings Industry Day in Edmonton. The Greater Edmonton Chapter of MPI credited the SCC with going above and beyond in partnering with them and supplying solid support throughout the planning and execution of National Meetings Industry Day.

MPI also credits SCC’s support and the support of their partners and suppliers for the rise in attendance from 92 last year to almost triple that - 272 - this year. Also, over $4,500 was raised at the event and donated to Edmonton’s Food Bank to help with the implementation of a food recovery program.

“We gratefully accept this MPI award and wish to acknowledge the organization and its meeting-planner members for the indispensable part they play in keeping the meetings and convention sector as vibrant as it is in Edmonton,” says Mike Fitzpatrick, Vice-President and General Manager of the Shaw Conference Centre. “In most of Canada and the United States the decline in business through this recession has been more serious than we've experienced here. Thank you MPI for this honour and we look forward to working with you next year to again – ideally – triple this year’s attendance.”

The Shaw Conference Centre is Greater Edmonton's flagship hospitality venue and continues to reduce its environmental footprint through a sustainability initiative called “Simple Steps”. Managed by Edmonton Economic Development Corp. (EEDC), SCC provides high standards of customer service and
award-winning culinary excellence while contributing an estimated annual economic impact of $44 million to the region.

For more information on EEDC, Edmonton Research Park, Edmonton Tourism, or Shaw Conference Centre, please visit www.edmonton.com or http://www.edmontonstories.ca/ for first-hand experiences of Edmonton.

Media Contact:
Cathy Ennis
Communications Manager, External Relations
Edmonton Economic Development Corporation (EEDC)
Phone: 780.917.7894
Email: Cennis@edmonton.com