TCF Center honored for industry excellence
This was a banner year for the newly renamed TCF Center, formerly Cobo Center. Just after the largest naming rights award for a convention center spurred a name change, the facility was recognized by three industry publications for service excellence.
Facilities and Destinations Magazine awarded TCF Center its Prime Site Award as one of the top convention and exposition centers. Exhibitor Magazine cited the venue as one of North America's best convention centers for trade shows and events by winning the "Centers of Excellence" award. In November, TCF Center also received the Stella Award from Northstar Meetings Group, publisher of Meetings & Conventions Magazine and Successful Meetings Magazine. All awards represent the highest quality of venue service and meeting experience.
"Each of the awards received this year is an honor," said Claude Molinari, general manager of TCF Center/ASM Global. "The team is working extremely hard to provide world-class service to our customers, and we appreciate the recognition."
Numerous criteria were considered by Exhibitor Magazine for its Centers of Excellence awards, all categorized into five primary areas: facility & functionality; location & accommodations; service & execution; expansion & upgrades; and awards & industry participation. The evaluation process also included a survey of event planners, show organizers and exhibit managers who have recently hosted (or exhibited at) events within the venue. A review of TCF Center's event spaces, selling points and innovations was conducted by a panel of corporate exhibit managers.
The silver medal in the Best Convention Center Category, Midwest Region was given to TCF Center by the Northstar Meetings Group in their 2019 Stella Awards program. It demonstrated a commitment to helping meeting professionals pull off a flawless event, as determined by the people who know best: experienced meeting planners. The nominations received public, planner voting and third-party, objective planner judging.
“The Stellas provide an objective, curated and credible majority view on the best of the best in the meetings industry,” said David Blansfield, executive vice president and group publisher, Northstar Meetings Group.
The program distinguishes suppliers from around the globe that consistently deliver quality service and innovation to meeting and event professionals. The winners are recognized for achieving overall excellence, superb food and beverage, professionalism of staff, technology innovations and other critical aspects of meetings and event experience.
"They set a standard all suppliers in our industry seek to achieve,” said Loren Edelstein, vice president and content director for Northstar Meetings Group. “A Stella Award is the finest symbol of excellence for suppliers in the meetings industry.”