Edinburgh Convention Bureau

Edinburgh is Scotland's top conference and convention destination - in 2007 we hosted 162 events which were attended by more than 65,000 high spending delegates, generating £72m for the city's economy, a 6.2% increase in economic value over the previous year's results. 

Yet, thanks to increasing global competition in the business tourism sector, we found ourselves slipping from 27^th to 36^th in the world rankings of international association meetings, compiled by the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA).

We remain second to London, which also slipped down to 17^th place, and we are well ahead of other UK cities, such as Glasgow, Liverpool and Cambridge, which all fell down the league as well.

Sue Stuart, ECB Chief Executive, comments: "We operate in a highly competitive marketplace with more and more cities around the world realising and wanting a share of a highly lucrative and fast growing business."

"Edinburgh is currently undergoing a period of transition, upgrading its infrastructure and facilities while assessing how best to promote itself globally in order to maintain its position as a global destination. In the next few years, we'll see the expansion of the EICC, new conference facilities at Caltongate, the tram system and many other exciting new developments which will prove attractive to the business traveller. Much remains to be done but the benefits will be enormous for the city and Scotland."

Meanwhile, in addition to all the infrastructural improvements, YOU hold the key to help us improve Edinburgh's world ranking in the ICCA league table...........

Please tell us about meetings your venue is hosting in 2008 if you think they meet these criteria:
* an 'association' meeting (not corporate)
* attended by 50 or more people
* may rotate internationally

We will then be able to report them to ICCA. The information we need is simply:
* the name & date of the event
* delegate numbers
* a contact person
* web address and any other details you can provide

Please contact: elaine.miller@conventionedinburgh.com