Convention Edinburgh, Edinburgh’s convention bureau, has relaunched its Ambassador Programme, bringing together academics and event professionals with the ambition of attracting events to the city.
A similar ambassador programme was launched in the 1990s, and is being revised by Convention Edinburgh, which itself was relaunched last June under the guardianship of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC).
Since that period, Edinburgh has attracted more than 1,000 events, generating in excess of £900 million for the local economy. It is estimated that more than 70 per cent of international association conferences are secured by ambassadorial activity.
The Ambassador Programme launch event at the National Museum of Scotland will see guests including the Deputy Lord Provost of Edinburgh, Professor Rowan Parks, Professor of Surgical Sciences at the University of Edinburgh and President of the Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh, and the EICC’s CEO Marshall Dallas, come together to celebrate the new iniative.
EICC CEO Marshall Dallas, said: “Conferences generate significant economic impact for Scotland, and serve to raise the international profile of the capital’s many centres of excellence - including its universities, royal colleges, financial institutions, and research centres. Collectively, they spotlight Scotland’s capital as a modern, dynamic city that’s continuing to extend its centres of excellence into new fields of expertise and ground-breaking research. We also recognise the power of ambassadorial activity, and are excited to launch the new programme this week.”
Earlier this year, Convention Edinburgh launched an Advisory Group comprising Sue Stuart (Surgeons Quarter), Amanda Ferguson (University of Edinburgh Hospitality & Events Collection), Shona Clelland (Cultural Venues, City of Edinburgh Council), Elaine Elder (National Museums of Scotland Enterprises), Neil Ellis (Edinburgh Hotels Association), Rob Lang (Edinburgh Airport), Colin Horsburgh (En Pointe Solutions), and Stuart Evans (Fusion Meetings and Events).
Led by the EICC’s sales and marketing director, Amanda Wrathall, Convention Edinburgh’s remit includes attracting conferences and events to Edinburgh by supporting venues across the city with their bids, and assisting event bookers during the destination and venue selection process for their conferences.
A desire to travel led Holly Patrick to the business meetings and events world and she’s never looked back. Holly takes a particular interest in event sustainability and creating a diverse and inclusive industry. When she’s not working, she can be found rolling skating along Brighton seafront listening to an eclectic playlist, featuring the likes of Patti Smith, Sean Paul, and Arooj Aftab.
