Raising the Bar: The OLC becomes one of only seven venues in Illinois to achieve the industry’s most rigorous certification
October, 2025 – In an industry where “world-class” has become marketing shorthand, genuine excellence remains rare. This month, the OLC joined an exclusive network that represents less than 1% of meeting venues worldwide—achieving certification from the International Association of Conference Centres (IACC), a distinction that puts the Rosemont facility among the most rigorously vetted meeting environments globally.
The Standard Behind the Standard
IACC certification isn’t about checking boxes. The rigorous evaluation process examines everything from acoustic engineering and ergonomic design to sustainability protocols and service delivery models. Of the thousands of meeting venues across North America, only 375 worldwide meet IACC’s comprehensive standards—and the OLC is now one of just seven in Illinois to earn this recognition.
“Earning the IACC certification is more than an honor—it’s a reflection of our unwavering
commitment to exceptional standards, innovative meeting experiences, and meaningful
connections. At the heart of the OLC are the people who walk through our doors ready to learn,
innovate, and lead,” said Lisé Puckorius, CAE, CEO of the OLC.
The certification process evaluated the OLC’s 14,000 square feet of purpose-built space against metrics that matter to meeting outcomes: design excellence, space flexibility, amenities, technology integration, event support, and what IACC terms “flow design”—the science of how people move through and interact with meeting environments.
Engineering for Impact
What sets IACC-certified venues apart isn’t luxury—it’s intentionality. Every design decision at the OLC reflects an understanding of how physical environment affects learning and collaboration. The facility’s three auditorium spaces can accommodate up to 180 attendees, but more importantly, they’re designed with sightlines that ensure engagement from every seat and acoustic engineering that eliminates the fatigue common in poorly designed meeting rooms.
The OLC’s two bio-skills laboratories represent a particular expertise: surgical training environments with 28 fully equipped stations and HD broadcast capabilities that allow live demonstration to remote audiences. This hybrid delivery capability, once considered cutting-edge, has become essential infrastructure in medical education—a shift the OLC anticipated and built for years ahead of industry demand.
Looking Forward
The certification comes as the OLC marks three decades of innovation, inspiration and impact—a milestone that coincides with broader changes in how organizations think about meetings and training. The shift from event-focused to outcome-focused planning favors venues that can demonstrate measurable value, not just provide space.
“It’s an honor to accept the IACC certification,” reflects Lisé Puckorius, CAE, CEO of the OLC. “Beyond meeting a global standard, it reflects the one we set for ourselves: to create an experience where excellence isn’t the goal—it’s the baseline.”
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About IACC
IACC (International Association of Conference Centres) is the global association that certifies meeting venues against its revered Standards of Brilliance, ensuring only the top tier—about the top 1 % of venues worldwide—carry its seal of excellence. The association enforces rigorous standards in facility design, service, technology, sustainability, and hospitality to ensure excellence across all certified venues.
Only a select number of venues worldwide are IACC-certified—approximately 400 properties across more than 25 countries—making this distinction a mark of true global prestige and trust.
Learn more at www.iacconline.org.