Mounting evidence shows that the choice of venue and the physical facilities for learning can play a critical role in maximizing the success of a corporate learning program and/or training session's objectives.

Research has found that if the environment is bad, then people will generally perceive the training to be bad, regardless of content. And with new forms of training such as multi-sensory learning, e-learning, hands-on lab settings and blended learning, there are sure to be additional adjustments and enhancements beyond current certification standards regarding quantifying meeting ROI.

Presently, there are no established methods for quantifying the role a venue has on the success rate of training or meeting sessions. Until those methods are determined, the International Association of Conference Centers (IACC), a not-for-profit, facilities-based organization whose mission is to assist members in providing the most productive meeting facilities around the world, utilizes a certification program for member centers. It mandates that active members comply with the 30 stringent standards of the universal criteria.

Certainly, IACC recognizes the role venue plays in enhancing the learning process. In fact, the organization inspects all of its member conference centers every four years to ensure compliance. The entire objective of the organization's 30 universal standards is ...