“Best Meetings and Conference Centre - Europe” is in Porto
07/07/2015
Alfândega-Porto Congress Centre was considered "Best Meetings and Conference Centre – Europe" for the second time in a row, according to Business Destinations magazine, a quarterly publication, edited by American Express in partnership with Association of Corporate Travel Executives. This was the starting point for our conversation with Gouveia Santos, Alfândega-Porto Congress Centre (ACC) Executive Director .
What does this award from Business Destinations mean to ACC?
It means the ACC has the rightful international recognition, not only for the quality of services it provides to its customers, but also for its facilities excellence, in this beautiful, safe, welcoming city, with capable infrastructure to meet any needs.
What are the advantages of obtaining such a recognition?
They are related to the increasing awareness of the ACC and its strong and important statement to potential customers of a Portuguese congress centre in Porto, as a note of modernity, tradition and culture in the largest building in town. A building that is state property, run by a private association which depends on its work to subsist, with no subsidies, which preserves and restores the building under the technical responsibility of Architect Souto Moura, and believes it can continue to contribute to the international projection of Porto.
Do customers value working with an award-winning organisation?
Our customers are essential and have a decisive contribution to winning prizes. On the one hand, they are responsible for the association's financial sustainability, they are the daily challenge of our concern for improvement, meeting their needs and fair comments. All this results from the principles and responsibilities arising from the quality certification awarded to the ACC. We have gathered positive feedback from different sectors, because our customers recognise the commitment, the determination of all employees under the guidance of our President and his board of directors, in pursuit of the goals inherent to each event.
Do you feel more pressure because of this and other awards?
Pressure increases given the expectations raised with several more prizes, all of great importance to us. Above all, they strengthen our motivation and make us extremely proud of our daily work recognition, done every day with enthusiasm and determination.
How can you continue to surprise your customers?
Our customers know us, in many cases for several years now. They know that, first of all, our concern is to assertively meet their needs. We know we must keep humble, hardworking, dedicated and proactive to continue to ensure our goals, which are based on the satisfaction of those who choose us.