Conference News Supplements Scotland | Page 5

5 Scotland Academic venues gain traction association, corporate, governmental at local, national and international levels, and can accommodate up to 2,000 delegates. A new AECC is currently under construction and will attract large and popular events when it opens in 2019. The venue is an essential part of the city’s infrastructure and brings £50m into the local economy each year. The development is taking shape at the new site, and once complete will offer 48,000sqm of internal exhibition space comprising 33,000sqm of subterranean space, as well as a 9,000sqm arena, 6,000sqm hall which divides into three 2,000sqm spaces, and an extra 10,000sqm outdoor space. All making way for larger conference halls and suites, a superior arena, hospitality boxes and club lounge. www.conference-news.co.uk By Gordon Hodge, head of conferencing and events, Strathclyde TIC We’re delighted that Strathclyde’s Technology and Innovation Centre (TIC) was the only Scottish contender in the inaugural Academic Venue Awards. Shortlisted in three categories – Conference Venue, Customer Service and Catering Service – as well as Non-Residential Venue of the Year, we’re rubbing shoulders with some of the market’s big hitters. We’ve had an amazing 12 months. In the year to 31 July, we hosted over 600 events and welcomed more than 41,000 delegates. We were shortlisted for Best Scottish Venue at EventIt’s E Awards in March, and for Customer Service Champion at Glasgow’s Inspiring City Awards in September. We’re only in our third year of operation, but our performance and peer recognition demonstrate how TIC is changing the industry’s perception. Our autumn conference season is in full swing, with meetings for the Royal Statistical Society, the International Society for Dermatopathology and Cycling Scotland under our belt. In November, we all welcome the European Commission, Scotland’s National Event Conference, and Host City.