• Programme brings together Edinburgh’s outstanding academic talent and event industry professionals to form a network of ambassadors championing the city as a world renowned destination for academia and events
• Since the 1990s, over 1000 events have been attracted to the city, generating in excess of £900 million for the local economy
• It is estimated that over 70 per cent of international association conferences are secured by ambassadorial activity
• Launch event takes place at National Museum of Scotland on Wednesday 11th October 
• 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, Professor Lis Neubeck, Professor of Cardiovascular Health in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University, and the EICC’s CEO Marshall Dallas

Convention Edinburgh, Edinburgh’s convention bureau, is launching a new Ambassador Programme for Edinburgh this week, a programme bringing together Edinburgh’s academic talent and event industry professionals to form a network of ambassadors championing the city as a world renowned destination for academia and events.

A similar ambassador programme was previously 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, over 1000 events have been attracted to the city, generating in excess of £900 million for the local economy.   It is estimated that over 70 per cent of international association conferences are secured by ambassadorial activity.

The launch event takes place at the National Museum of Scotland on Wednesday 11th October, with 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, Professor Lis Neubeck, Professor of Cardiovascular Health in the School of Health and Social Care at Edinburgh Napier University, and the EICC’s CEO Marshall Dallas.

Marshall Dallas, CEO of the EICC, 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 & 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.