The Boston Convention and Exhibition Center (BCEC) and the John B. Hynes Veterans Memorial Convention Center have both earned a gold standard from the International Association of Congress Centres (AIPC).

The two convention centers are only the fourth and fifth convention centers in North America and the 14th and 15th worldwide to have been awarded this rare top standard, according to a statement. It is the highest certification level a convention facility can achieve under strict AIPC guidelines.

"This is proof positive that Boston remains one of the world’s leading convention destinations and that our facilities and the way we operate them are among the best in the world," said James E. Rooney, executive director of the Massachusetts Convention Center Authority (MCCA), which runs the BCEC and the Hynes. "We’re honored to be recognized on a global level and I’m proud of the MCCA staff and all they do to make our facilities and events some of the best in the world."

The certification process examines 10 key areas of a convention center’s operations, including: customer service, quality of facilities and operations, employee relations, health, safety, security and emergency response, financial integrity, community relations, environmental responsibility, and industry and supplier relations.