By Frank Kamuntu
Speke Resort Convention Centre has strengthened its standing in the global business events industry after being admitted as an International Association of Professional Congress Organisers (IAPCO) Convention Centre Partner, a milestone expected to enhance Uganda’s competitiveness as a destination for international conferences, exhibitions and major business events.
The new partnership gives Uganda’s leading integrated convention and hospitality destination direct access to a global network of professional congress organisers, meeting planners, association executives and key decision-makers responsible for selecting venues for some of the world’s largest international meetings.
Industry experts regard IAPCO membership as a mark of quality, professionalism and operational excellence within the global meetings and conventions sector. The affiliation is expected to increase Speke Resort Convention Centre’s visibility among international event organisers while reinforcing confidence in its ability to host large-scale global gatherings.
The partnership also complements the convention centre’s existing international affiliations with the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) and the International Association of Convention Centres (AIPC), further strengthening its engagement with the global meetings industry.
Located on the shores of Lake Victoria within the Speke Resort Munyonyo and Munyonyo Commonwealth Resort complex, the convention centre is the largest integrated meetings and hospitality facility in Uganda.
Its extensive infrastructure includes 34 meeting, conference and exhibition venues, more than 10,000 square metres of indoor meeting space, the flagship Rwenzori Convention Centre, expansive outdoor exhibition grounds, and 476 guestrooms and suites. The facility also offers multiple restaurants, advanced audiovisual technology, ample parking and enhanced security infrastructure.
The integrated setup enables organisers to host conferences, exhibitions, accommodation, networking sessions and leisure activities within one destination, providing delegates with a seamless experience throughout their stay.
Over the years, Speke Resort Convention Centre has successfully hosted several high-profile international gatherings, demonstrating its capacity to manage complex global events.
Among the major events hosted at the venue are the 19th Non-Aligned Movement (NAM) Summit, the G77+China Third South Summit, the Commonwealth Conference of Speakers and Presiding Officers, the Uganda-European Union Business Forum, and the African Airlines Association (AFRAA) Annual General Assembly and Summit.
With its new IAPCO partnership, the convention centre is expected to attract even more international congresses, association meetings and corporate events to Uganda.
Beyond increasing international exposure, the partnership will provide access to global industry knowledge, professional development opportunities, best practices and strategic networking platforms that are expected to further improve service delivery and operational standards.
The development is also expected to contribute to Uganda’s tourism and hospitality sectors by increasing international visitor arrivals, boosting conference tourism and creating additional business opportunities for local service providers.
Officials say joining IAPCO represents another significant milestone in Speke Resort Convention Centre’s long-term strategy of positioning itself as East Africa’s premier convention destination and one of Africa’s most respected venues for international meetings.
By combining world-class convention facilities, integrated hospitality services, internationally recognised industry partnerships and a proven track record of successfully hosting major global events, Speke Resort Convention Centre continues to cement Uganda’s position as an emerging hub for the international meetings, incentives, conferences and exhibitions (MICE) industry.
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