Puerto Vallarta: The Friendliest City in the World
April 20, 2014
The Puerto Vallarta International Convention Center in Mexico is just four and a half years old, but it already is making a name for itself in the international event community.
For the past three years, it has been recognized in MDC Magazine Readers Choice Awards as one of Mexico's top 10 convention centers. This year, it was No. 3 on that list.
While speaking outside the building to Patricia Farias-Barlow, CEO at PVICC, a hawk was seen flying overhead. “That’s Harry,” said Farias-Barlow. “He was adopted by us, and he’s not completely wild.”
PVICC is the only convention center in the world adjacent to a Natural Protected Ecological Area. The 320 acres of naturally protected area are maintained by revenue from events at the convention center. Itis an area that is vital to the ecology of Puerto Vallarta and the bay.
Farias-Barlow said that the PVICC is focused on attracting conventions and corporate meetings of 2,200 attendees and below.
The convention center has 105,000 square feet of flexible meeting and exhibition space. Gran Salon Vallarta, the Convention Center’s column free main meeting hall, offers close to 54,000 sq. ft. of space and can be subdivided into eight fully equipped, soundproofed rooms.
PVICC is equipped with 160MB free Wi-Fi. For events requiring a more advanced solution, a fiber optic network has been installed in the facility and events need only pay for the link.
Farias-Barlow said the center is set up to service events with infrastructure needs at a very low cost. “We decided we are not here to make money on the Internet,” she added.
Puerto Vallarta’s airport has 25 direct flights from the United States and Canada (most the United States is just a four hour flight away) and is located just five minutes from the Convention Center.
Puerto Vallarta also has more than 20,000 hotel rooms available. A major plus for event organizers is that those 20,000 hotel rooms offer a wide range of price points for their attendees.
The Holiday Inn Express, which opened in the fall of 2013, with its proximity to the airport and the convention center, would make an excellent command center for event organizers.
The hotel has a sleek modern design, light filled rooms, ample meeting rooms and a restaurant and bar adjacent to the hotel is scheduled to open later this year.
Puerto Vallarta was dubbed “the friendliest city in the world”, and once you’ve been there, you’ll see it is a claim that’s hard to argue with.
Partner Voices
Overview:
The award-winning Orange County Convention Center (OCCC) goes the extra mile to make every day extraordinary by offering customer service excellence and industry-leading partnerships. From their dedicated in-house Rigging team to their robust Exhibitor Services, The Center of Hospitality brings your imagination to life by helping you host unforgettable meetings and events. With more than 2 million square feet of exhibit space, world-class services and a dream destination, we are committed to making even the most ambitious conventions a reality.
In October 2023, the Orange County Board of County Commissioners voted to approve allocating Tourist Development Tax funding for the $560 million Phase 5A completion of the OCCC. The Convention Way Grand Concourse project will include enhancements to the North-South Building, featuring an additional 60,000 square feet of meeting space, an 80,000- square-foot ballroom and new entry to the North-South Building along Convention Way.
“We are thrilled to begin work on completing our North-South Building which will allow us to meet the growing needs of our clients,” said OCCC Executive Director Mark Tester. “As an economic driver for the community, this project will provide the Center with connectivity and meeting space to host more events and continue to infuse the local economy with new money and expanding business opportunities.”
Amenities:
The Center of Hospitality goes above and beyond by offering world-class customer service and industry-leading partnerships. From the largest convention center Wi-Fi network to custom LAN/WAN design, the Center takes pride in enhancing exhibitor and customer experience.
The OCCC is the exclusive provider of electricity (24-hour power at no additional cost), aerial rigging and lighting, water, natural gas and propane, compressed air, and cable TV services. Convenience
The Center is at the epicenter of the destination, with an abundance of hotels, restaurants, and attractions within walking distance. Pedestrian bridges connect both buildings to more than 5,200 rooms and is within a 15-minute drive from the Orlando International Airport. The convenience of the location goes hand-in-hand with top notch service to help meet an event’s every need.
Gold Key Members
The OCCC’s Gold Key Members represent the best of the best when it comes to exceptional service and exclusive benefits for clients, exhibitors and guests. The Center’s Gold Key memberships with Universal Orlando Resort, SeaWorld Orlando and Walt Disney World greatly enhance meeting planner and attendee experiences offering world-renowned venues, immersive experiences and creative resources for their events.
OCCC Events:
This fiscal year, the OCCC is projected to host 168 events, 1.7 million attendees, and $2.9 billion in economic impact.
The Center’s top five events during their 2022-2023 fiscal year included:
AAU Jr. National Volleyball Championships 2023
200,000 Attendees
$257 Million in Economic Impact
MEGACON 2023
160,000 Attendees
$205 Million in Economic Impact
Open Championship Series 2023
69,500 Attendees
$89 Million in Economic Impact
Sunshine Classic 2023
42,000 Attendees
$54 Million in Economic Impact
Premiere Orlando 2023
42,000 Attendees
$108 Million in Economic Impact
Add new comment