A conference destination

Capital attractions

With its cosmopolitan feel, compact centre, wealth of conference facilities and delegate accommodation, Edinburgh is already one of the most popular conference destinations in the world.

The fact is that conference organisers have a huge variety of facilities to choose from everything from purpose-built conference centres to castles, museums and galleries. Host to royalty, heads of state, politicians and celebrities, the EICC is one of Edinburgh's most distinctive landmarks. The EICC is s state-of-the-art facility with enough capacity for 2000 delegates, following its major extension in 2007. Equally imposing on the skyline are outlying Dundas and Borthwick Castles, whilst Edinburgh Castle itself can cater for receptions for up to 1000 delegates, with an exclusive viewing of the Scottish Crown Jewels thrown in for good measure. Equally regal, The Royal Yacht Britannia, which was awarded the title 'Most Excellent Venue' in the UK by Conde Nast Johansens, hosts exclusive dinners and receptions in its elegant State Apartments. Or why not take a look at The National Galleries of Scotland £30 million Playfair Project. Opened in 2004, the project successfully created a state-of-the-art underground link between the Royal Scottish Academy and the National Gallery of Scotland on The Mound, complete with 200-seat lecture theatre, multimedia IT gallery, restaurant and cafe.

There's plenty of first-rate accommodation to choose from too, including The Scotsman Hotel, the 5-star Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa and The Chester Residence.

A rising star in the West

Edinburgh may already have made it into the top ten, but Glasgow is Europe's fastest growing conference destination. And it's not hard to see why. Dubbed 'Scotland's Capital of Cool' by National Geographic Traveller magazine, Glasgow boasts world-class conference credentials and an accommodation scene to match.

Scotland's national venue for public events, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) can accommodate 3,000 delegates in its conference centre and 10,000 in its largest hall. In 2007, the SECC also opened a new 12,500 seat purpose-built arena, civic arrival square, river gardens and city quarter. No wonder its been voted 'Best UK Convention Centre' by Meetings and Incentive Travel readers, two years in a row. Just across the River Clyde, meanwhile, the award-winning Glasgow Science Centre is fast becoming one of Scotland's leading alternative venues for business and hospitality events. Its latest addition is a stage that can be raised in front of the Centre's 80ft by 60ft giant cinema screen for added wow factor! Other unusual venues include The Burrell Collection, just 10 minutes from the City Centre; Glasgow School of Art where you can stage a meeting or reception amid the School's Mackintosh collection; the House for an Art Lover complete with its Mackintosh interiors, featuring high backed chairs, 'gesso' panels and stained glass; Scotland's national stadium, Hampden Park; the historic Waverley, the only sea-going paddle steamer in the world; or the 19th century Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour.

The city's accommodation scene too is burgeoning. Particular highlights Glasgow Malmaison; Jury's Inn; and 'The Spires', Glasgow apartments, offering delegates a home from home.

Venues throughout Scotland

Although Glasgow and Edinburgh do stand out, the competition for conference and company incentives bookings is far from a two-horse race. Dotted around the country are a host of other top facilities catering for every taste and quantity of delegates. In the north, for example, the purpose-built Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) has benefited from an £18 million upgrade, the introduction of wireless LAN facilities and a dedicated in-house team offering organisers a complete event management service. Aberdeen itself offers a wide choice of accommodation, from budget bed and breakfasts to five-star luxury hotels.

One of the newest additions to the northern conference scene is the Aviemore Highland Conference Centre. Billed as the world-class conference venue in the heart of Britain's newest National Park, the Centre opened in 2004 offers state-of-the-art facilities, including an auditorium for 650 delegates, a spacious exhibition hall, banqueting suite, meeting rooms and a dedicated restaurant and bar complex. Other inspirational venues include Stirling Castle's Great Hall arguably the most prestigious venue in Scotland for entertaining; the multi-award-winning Falkirk Wheel, where organisers can see the magnificent 115-feet high wheel floodlit in their corporate colours; a host of very special properties belonging to The National Trust for Scotland; Ackergill Tower's Tree House, set 12 feet up in the 150-year-old sycamore trees; The Roxburghe Hotel and Golf Course in the Borders which promises to keep 'significant others' entertained with chauffeur-driven tours and health and beauty treatments; and Speyside's Craigellachie Hotel.

Support for business tourism

With so much to offer the business traveller, there's no denying Scotland is in a strong position. VisitScotland's Business Tourism Unit supports 'event tourism', one of the fastest growing areas of the world's largest industry. Capitalising on the perennial successes of the Edinburgh Festivals, Open Golf Championship, rugby internationals and events such as the MTV Europe Music Awards, EventScotland attracts and develops a portfolio of major events which make Scotland one of the world's foremost event destinations.