The secret’s out. College and University Campuses get High Marks as meeting and conference venues by delivering the ultimate in learning environments, greater value when compared to traditional venues, and now the guarantee of certified One-Stop Shop services.
Find a One-Stop Certified College or University
Benefits to Contracting with a Certified
One-Stop Shop Operation
Benefits of Contracting with a Certified One-Stop Shop Operation
Members of the Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International (ACCED-I) have well-earned reputations for fulfilling meeting planner needs. Now comes the ACCED-I response to growing demand among meeting planners for the only missing element: a certification program identifying one-stop shop collegiate operations. Interested parties will soon know with confidence which collegiate operations can deliver on taahe promise of “one contact, one contract and one bill!” This streamlining of conferencing and events coordination is intended to more closely match the practices of convention facilities and finer hotels. While campus venues offer advantages in price, ambiance and variety, academia has sometimes been perceived as large, decentralized and complex. |
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| Successful candidates for certification will soon be featured on the ACCED-I Certified One-Stop Shop webpage. Certified institutions will benefit from public recognition and from the process of independent review of practices by the only association dedicated exclusively to collegiate conferences and events management. | A one-stop shop navigates the campus structure on behalf of the client. |
Commenting on the new program, ACCED-I executive director Deborah Blom said, “Our members coordinate the campus visits of nearly 5 million persons annually. The concept of one-stop shop certification originated with our membership because they believe it will help meeting planners to provide those millions of visitors a more predictable, enjoyable and enriching campus experience.” |
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Why does ACCED-I advocate for one-stop shops and what are the benefits of a one-stop shop?
Every collegiate organization operates in its own way and many have complex, decentralized organizational structures. ACCED-I believes that a one-stop is the most efficient and customer-friendly way a planner can secure the services of a campus. Benefits of one-stop shopping include working with one contact to coordinate a program and receiving one contract and one bill from the university.
What does one contact mean?
One contact means your arrangements will be handled through one department and primarily with one individual. You will not have to consult with every department on campus from which you would like to secure services.
Does that mean I will work with only one person?
Not necessarily. You may work with a few individuals, depending on which phase of planning you are in. For instance, you may work with one person for sales and contracting, another for finalizing services, and another one on-site during the event. The expectation is that you will not be working with more than one individual during a given phase of your event/conference cycle.
I prefer to work with those who “control” the services. Will I be able to do that?
That depends on the institution. Some one-stop programs have centralized their services to the point that your contact is the expert or “controls” the service. Don’t be afraid to ask your contact if you can work directly with other departments to make arrangements. One-stops that allow this should still have a mechanism for one contract and one bill.
Will my one-stop coordinate services not offered by the institution?
That depends on the institutions. Some will not permit you to bring outside services, such as catering, on to their campus. Others have a network of service providers who can offer services the institution does not.
What if I have a problem with a service I receive?
Your one-stop contact should be able to mediate any service problems you encounter. You should always have a designated contact you should be able to reach while you are on campus, even if one is not immediately on site during an event.
Does the certification measure quality of service?
No. The program certifies adherence to the one-stop practice. If you find that this is not the case with a Certified One-Stop, please notify ACCED-I immediately. Service-level and quality arrangements are not insured through this certification program and should be thoroughly discussed with your service provider.
What colleges and universities are eligible for One-Stop Shop certification? Is it limited to member schools of ACCED-I?
No. Any accredited institution of higher learning anywhere in the world may apply for certification, regardless of professional association membership.
If you have any questions or comments about the ACCED-I One-Stop Shop Certification, please contact the ACCED-I office at (970)491-5151.
Association of Collegiate Conference and Events Directors-International
8037 Campus Delivery
Colorado State University
Fort Collins CO 80523-8037
(970)491-5151 / Fax: (970)491-0667
www.acced-i.org