Readers of Meetings & Conventions magazine have bestowed the prestigious Gold Service Award on the Greater Phoenix Convention & Visitors Bureau for the 22nd consecutive year.

Meetings & Conventions magazine is a leading publication among meeting professionals, and 50,000-plus subscribers each plan a minimum of three off-site meetings, conventions and/or trade shows per year. The Gold Service award honors convention and visitors bureaus (CVBs) that excel in professionalism and dedication in their service to meeting professionals.

The magazine’s readers were asked to make the 2012 Gold Service Award selections based on criteria that included professionalism of staff, support on hotels and site inspections, assistance with ground-transportation planning, guidance on local attractions, and liaison with local venders and services.

Readers voted for the top CVBs throughout North America, and the Greater Phoenix CVB’s Convention Services team was rated among the best for the 26th time.

“To be consistently recognized by meeting planners for the service we provide them is a testament to the hard work, thoughtfulness and professionalism of our staff,” said Jan Thomas, director of convention services and housing at the Greater Phoenix CVB. “Downtown Phoenix is blessed with one of the best convention centers in the nation, and we benefit from having several beautiful and unique off-site meeting venues. But buildings and meeting space are only part of the equation. Dedicated, personal service is essential to creating a truly memorable meeting experience, and that’s what we strive for.”

The Greater Phoenix CVB will be featured in Meetings & Conventions’ special “Gold Awards” issue in November.