Association Insight International & European 1 | Page 138

Only in Scotland This year Scotland will take centre-stage hosting two of the world’s biggest sporting events, the Glasgow Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. We’re also celebrating the ancestry, food and drink, sporting, creative and natural aspects of Scottish culture with over 800 events and festivals taking place throughout Homecoming 2014. With the eyes of the world focused on Scotland, this exciting year will showcase our expertise in hosting dynamic, large-scale events. If you want to find out why Scotland is the perfect stage for your next event visit our website conventionscotland.com or get in touch with Kerry Watson, Association Marketing Manager - [email protected] Significant investment from the Scottish MICE industry means that Scotland offers an impressive selection of world-class hotels and venues. Here are just a few of the key developments: Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) The £30m expansion of the Lennox Suite at the EICC was completed in May 2013. The glass atrium provides the perfect welcome point and allows access to the new 1,600 square metre Lennox Suite, Europe’s most technologically advanced meetings and events space, with moving floor technology that can easily be reconfigured into many different setups. Options include flat floored exhibition, banqueting for 1,400, tiered auditorium for 2,000 and arena mode for 1,400. The SSE Hydro, Glasgow The SSE Hydro opened in September 2013 and has since played host to national and international music mega stars as well as global entertainment and sporting events. With a seating capacity of 12,000 The Hydro will augment the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre’s existing facilities, and will play host to around 140 events every year. The venue has been designed to be flexible, accommodating a wide range of conferences and events. The Hydro will attract an audience of one million visitors each year, which positions it as the fifth busiest entertainment arena in the world, alongside iconic venues like Madison Square Gardens and The O2 arena. conventionscotland.com Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) The AECC is moving! Still in preconsultation stage, the plans are spectacular. The new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will: • Have ◊ Plenary capacity for up to 3,000 delegates ◊ Flexible break-out rooms ◊ Up to 55,000m2 flexible exhibition space ◊ 11,000m2 Arena: 15,000 standing / 10,000 all seated • Include a high-quality hotel on-site • Have an improved sustainable transport infrastructure • Be the most sustainable venue of its type in the UK • Demonstrate outstanding architectural, urban and landscape design