Great expectations

‘Above and Beyond’ is Aberdeen Convention & Events Bureau’s (ACEB) latest campaign to promote the city as a top business events destination.

More conference ambassadors are being recruited. The economy is recovering. The spanking new convention centre, P&J Live, first opened in autumn 2019, has resumed its rightful function. Aberdeen is ready to take on the world.

“Aberdeen punches well above its weight compared with other Scottish cities and with the new conference and exhibition centre numbers are expected to rise,” says ACEB’s Laurie Scott.

A thriving port on the North Sea long known as Europe’s Energy Capital, Aberdeen is now looking beyond oil and gas to be a leader in offshore wind power and hydrogen technology. Many multinational companies are based there and the new marketing campaign will build on its reputation as a major city for international commerce and business events, focusing on its strengths in key sectors including health and life sciences, energy transition and hydrogen.

“In January last year, the world’s first fleet of zero-emission, hydrogen-powered buses officially went into service as part of the wider H2 project led by Aberdeen City Council,” says Scott.

The city has made huge commitments to become more sustainable and, especially since COP26 in Glasgow last year, is even more conscious of the importance planners place on the socio-economic and environmental impact of their events.

P&J Live passes with flying colours, declared the most sustainable venue of its type in the UK having achieved an Excellent BREEAM rating. Its own energy is produced in an anaerobic plant using food and garden waste from around the city.

It’s part of TECA, The Event Complex Aberdeen, located next to the airport and including two onsite hotels. It has a 10,000-seat arena and further conference and exhibition halls, multi-purpose rooms and meeting rooms.

Having been used as a Covid vaccination centre during the pandemic, the centre sprang back into life as a convention centre last September when it hosted Floating Offshore Wind, its first hybrid event after lockdown. This was followed by the four-day conference of the British Orthopaedic Association (BOA) with 2,000 in-person delegates and sessions streamed remotely for members who couldn’t attend. More large-scale conferences are scheduled over the next two years.

Aberdeen has a diverse offer of other event venues and hotels ranging from modern to traditional and very competitively priced. The International Airport, recently expanded to the tune of £50 million, is well connected to major European hubs. Direct trains run from London and other UK cities.

The magnificent Art Gallery recently had a £30 million facelift and the revamp of Marischal Square, a mixed-use complex of offices, cafes, restaurants and hotels completed in 2017, has revitalised the city centre.

Aberdeen also boasts sandy beaches and a rugged coastline and in its hinterland the Cairngorms National Park, rivers, ancient castles, whisky distilleries and golf courses. So business event groups get the extra perk of the full Scottish experience right on the doorstep.

ASK THE EXPERT

Meeting for 200 people
The Beach Ballroom Aberdeen, an iconic art deco venue full of character and right on the beach.

Gala dinner for 100
A little out of the city in Aboyne, the Glen Tanar Estate is a historic setting with a lovely Victorian ballroom.

Incentive activity for 50
A private fishing day on the Dee or Don rivers. Our partner would create a bespoke day on the water with ghillies to help guests successfully land a salmon or trout and a luxurious lunch served on the river bank.

Who to contact:

Laurie Scott
Head of Business Development
Aberdeen Convention & Events Bureau
T: +44 (01224) 900485
E: [email protected]
visitabdn.com