Visitscotland’s business tourism unit IMEX 2007

Visit Scotland for all you could ask for The Scotland stand (F370) at IMEX 2007 will feature everything from dramatic cities and top class golf resorts, to contemporary hotels and venues that contrast the old with the new.

VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit (BTU) and its partners will bring to IMEX 2007 a flavour of what conference bookers can expect when they choose Scotland for their next event.  Both major cities, Edinburgh and Glasgow, are second only to London in the UK in terms of the number of international association conferences hosted and rank 23rd and 33rd in the world respectively.  Aberdeen is widely recognised as the oil and gas capital of Europe and Dundee is leading the way in the knowledge economy, having recently been named as one of the top seven Intelligent Communities of the Year.  Add to that the fact that overall satisfaction with holding a business event in Scotland is an impressive 96 per cent, and there is every reason to keep this small country that punches above its weight very near the top of the list.
As well as the Convention Bureaux for Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee, and the two largest international exhibition and conference centres, individual venues will also be represented on the Scotland stand.  At the top of the range is the prestigious Gleneagles Hotel, a member of The Leading Hotels of the World.  The Hotel is renowned for its luxurious accommodation, first-class service and, as well as superior conference and banqueting facilities, features three of the top golf courses in Scotland. 
Other exhibitors cover the spectrum of what is available in terms of venues, from the newly refurbished Radisson SAS Edinburgh located in the centre of the historic Royal Mile to The Dome, a former banking hall designed in the grand tradition which offers a stunning backdrop of chandeliers and stained glass for events large and small.
With the highest concentration of universities in Europe, the Scottish spirit of invention and innovation thrives in the world-class academic facilities throughout the country. Representing the sector on the Scotland stand will be the Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot Watt University, which boasts lecture theatres and purpose built conference and exhibition space, combined with accommodation in over 1,000 bedrooms during vacation periods. 
Shona Telfer, BTU European marketing manager, said:  “IMEX continues to go from strength to strength and with over 7,500 buyers from 150 countries, it remains an extremely important showcase for Scotland.  We look forward to welcoming visitors from all over the globe to our stand where they will experience a flavour of the warm Scottish welcome for themselves.”
Look out for ‘Big Rory’, the world’s tallest Scotsman, who will be mingling with the crowds in the aisles over the three days.  And at 3pm on the 18th April, head for the Scotland stand where Jennifer Hunter of the Scotch Malt Whisky Society will lead a whisky tasting, followed by whisky cocktails and canapés. So you can learn all about Scotland’s national drink and enjoy a ‘wee dram’ in good company.
Whether you are looking for the contemporary or the traditional, venues for intimate meetings or large-scale conference, be sure Stand F370 is one of your first ports of call. 

HOTELS
The Gleneagles Hotel
The Gleneagles® Hotel, renowned as the ultimate destination for luxury and hospitality, will soon reveal a stunning redesign of its top floor rooms.   The refurbishment at the Perthshire AA Five Red Star hotel is scheduled for completion in May 2007.  Award-winning international interior designer, Amanda Rosa, has been commissioned to create the interiors for ten new ultra-luxury suites, the finest in Scotland.  The top floor will also include a boardroom, which will have a relaxed, non-corporate feel, incorporating colour schemes from the suites.  Gleneagles® has also been voted “Top European Resort” at the annual Condé Nast Traveler Readers’ Choice Awards designed to recognise and reward excellence in the travel industry.  Over 21,000 travellers voted in the largest independent poll of consumer preferences, second only in size to the U.S. Census

Radisson SAS Hotel Edinburgh
The Radisson SAS Hotel Edinburgh is Edinburgh’s only hotel located on the historic Royal Mile, halfway between Edinburgh Castle and Holyrood Palace.
The hotel offers 238 spacious guest rooms, 8 conference rooms for up to 180 delegates, 2 restaurants, 1 bar and one leisure club with spa. The style is new, smooth and sophisticated and is a welcoming contrast to the building’s 16th century façade.

DESTINATION MANAGEMENT COMPANIES
Travel Scot World
Travel Scot World is the major force as a Destination Management Company for Scotland.  Specialising in Business Travel with a highly experienced, multi-lingual and professional team, we organise all arrangements for Incentives, Meetings and Conferences. We look forward to creating exciting and innovative programmes for your clients in 2007 and beyond.

VENUES AND CONFERENCE CENTRES
The Dome
The Dome, a lovingly restored former bank building, housing Bars, Restaurant, Conference & Private Dining Facilities, has been open since 1996.  Having attended IMEX Frankfurt for the first time in 2006 and had such a positive response from the Buyers who came to the VisitScotland Stand, we have decided to take part again this year.

Edinburgh Conference Centre
Edinburgh Conference Centre offers fantastic value and versatility year round whatever the size of your group or the object of your event. In 2007 events utilising our flexible meeting facilities and residential facilities include Amnesty International, The Genetics Society, CASE Europe, The Royal Metrological Society, Unilever, UK science park association and BBC Question Time.

Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) is creating a separate identity for its Edinburgh Festival business, “Venue One hundred and fifty”. The new identity is an expression of confidence in the congress centre’s positioning as a major venue during the Edinburgh Festival, in particularly the successful reputation it has built as a Fringe venue, and ahead of the opening of its new 3,255 sq m, hi-tech expansion space in 2009.  The new branded events offer takes its name from EICC’s address, its established Fringe venue number and a new Internet information guide to artists appearing at EICC, 150.com.  “Venue One hundred and fifty” will brand EICC’s distinctive offer to event promoters and the general public and complement its core national and international association and corporate meetings business.

Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre
The final designs of the SECC’s new 12,500-seat Arena have been revealed. The spectacular building created by Foster and Partners will have a 40m-high front elevation clad in a translucent material that can be lit at night and carry projections or images to change its appearance to suit individual events.  The hotel, which is physically linked to the SECC, is undergoing significant refurbishments and has been rebranded the Crowne Plaza Glasgow.

REGIONAL CONVENION BUREAUX

Aberdeen Convention Bureau
The construction of four new hotels in Aberdeen will dramatically increase the city’s bed-stocks. The Holiday Inn in the west of Aberdeen opened at the end of 2006. Over three floors the four star hotel has 86 rooms, conference facilities and an à la carte restaurant. Another new hotel will be located in the centre of Aberdeen with 148 bedrooms and plans for the development of a 200 bedroom hotel at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre have recently been confirmed. Donald Trump is also to create a world class golf course in the area which will have a 400 bed room hotel located just 10 minutes north of the city.

Dundee & Angus Convention Bureau
The University of Dundee is celebrating its 40th Anniversary of independence this year and as a result, Dundee & Angus will be hosting a large number of National and International Conferences.  Visit conventiondundeeandangus.co.uk to find out more about hosting your conference in Dundee & Angus, Scotland.  The Open Championship will be played at Carnoustie, Scotland from the 19th - 22nd of July, an ideal platform for any incentive trip.  For more information about the Open Championship visit eastofscotlandgolf.co.uk.

Edinburgh Convention Bureau
Edinburgh Convention Bureau is a free-service convention bureau for all clients. Our membership in Bestcities.net assures that you receive the highest standard of service.   ECB recently won several conference bids including: Euronoise, 500 delegates; the International Congress of Behavioural Medicine, 800 delegates, and the Microsoft Government Leaders Forum 2007, 500 delegates.  Edinburgh venues are continually undergoing renovation and refurbishment. This year the Hilton Edinburgh Grosvenor completed a £2.5 million refurbishment, Edinburgh First at the University of Edinburgh has a new hotel and conference centre in a magnificently refurbished 18th century mansion house, Surgeon's Hall Complex has meeting space for 250 delegates and a stunning new hotel with 73 rooms and Apex Hotels have announced a fourth Edinburgh hotel with 180 bedrooms which will open in 2008.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
There are a number of new developments planned for Glasgow which will serve to enhance the city’s infrastructure and reinforce its credentials as a leading destination for business and leisure tourism.  The hotel industry in Glasgow continues to go from strength-to-strength and future plans include the development of Scotland’s largest hotel complex and the establishment of a new luxury five star hotel. 

The city is also benefiting from a raft of new and recently refurbished meetings venues including the new £1 million (€1.5m) Atrium at Glasgow Science Centre, the £7 million (€10.5m) refurbishment of the Kibble Palace in the city's Botanic Gardens and the £27.9m (€42m) restoration of Kelvingrove Art Gallery & Museum.  Getting to Glasgow has never been easier with both Glasgow International Airport and Glasgow Prestwick International recently landing new flights to a number of European and North American destinations.