The Vancouver Convention Center was awarded the Professional Convention Management Association’s (PCMA) prestigious 2012 Spirit Award during PCMA’s 57th Annual Meeting, Convening Leaders, in Orlando.
The Spirit Award honors an organization that has significantly affected lives in a charitable or humanitarian way through the meetings and convention industry. As part of the Vancouver Convention Center’s corporate social responsibility program, the facility has partnered with several local charities committed to supporting communities in Vancouver’s inner city.
“We are extremely honored to be recognized by PCMA with such a meaningful award that speaks to our team’s passion and commitment to the work we do with the community,” says Ken Cretney, general manager, Vancouver Convention Center. “More importantly, we hope this is an opportunity to shine light on the amazing work of the charities we support, and inspire others to make a difference in the communities they serve.”
One of the Center’s partnerships is with United We Can, a local organization that creates self-sustaining social enterprises with a focus on environmental sustainability, while creating income and job training opportunities for people with multiple barriers to traditional employment.
The Center, through its official food and beverage supplier Centerplate, donates 100 percent of its recyclables to United We Can’s recycling depot. Since late 2010, nearly half a million beverage containers have been recycled through the depot, a donation valued at $24,000.
“The Vancouver Convention Center is the largest single contributor to our charity. Through their generous donations, we are able to employ 120 individuals with multiple barriers to employment and fund other viable social enterprises in the community,” said Gerry Martin, general manager, United We Can. “We’d like to extend our heartfelt congratulations to the Vancouver Convention Center on a truly well-deserved recognition.”
Other organizations supported by the Vancouver Convention Center include the Greater Vancouver Food Bank Society, CANstruction Vancouver, Building Opportunities with Business and the Union Gospel Mission (UGM). The Center is one of the largest food donors to the UGM’s meal program, donating kitchen over-production to this charity for the last 15 years.
In announcing its 2012 Achievement Award winners, PCMA also commended the Vancouver Convention Center’s Public Tour Program, created to connect the local community and visitors to the convention center’s staff, unique building design and sustainability features, as well as its impact on the community and economy. Over 11,000 people have been hosted on tours to date.
