The 16th European Congress on Biotechnology expected to generate millions for the Capital’s economy
The city will be full of biotechnology experts from Sunday when the conference begins, but apart from all the important discussions which will take place at the 16th European Congress on Biotechnology at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), perhaps the more important aspect is what it will do for our city’s economy.
Marketing Edinburgh estimate that it will bring an economic value of £1.3 million to Edinburgh during the four day European Congress on Biotechnology (ECB16) from 13-16 July 2014. It is expected to attract over 800 academic and industrial biotechnologists. The scientific programme is designed to cover all aspects of biotechnology, including environmental and green biotechnology, microbial physiology, microbial synthetic and systems biology, industrial biotechnology, biochemical engineering, medical biotechnology and much more.
ECB16 has benefited from VisitScotland’s Conference Bid Fund. Match-funded by cities, the bid fund is geared towards increasing Scotland’s competitiveness within the conventions market and attract high-yielding conferences, linked to Scotland’s areas of expertise in industry, commerce, science and medicine.
Marketing Edinburgh Chief Executive John Donnelly, said: “Bringing ECB16 to Scotland was the result of a terrific collaboration between Convention Edinburgh, the EICC and our members. The entire process commenced over two years ago, when we approached Edinburgh Napier University’s Emeritus Professor and Edinburgh Ambassador, Charlie Bryce, to potentially lead the conference bid.
“From there it was a lot of hard work from our Ambassadors, the Business Tourism team, host venue the EICC, VisitScotland and conference agency TFI Group – not only to initially win the bid but to bring those plans to fruition. It’s a great example of how working together effectively can achieve amazing results and successfully generate millions for Edinburgh’s economy”.
Fergus Ewing, Scotland’s Tourism Minister, said: “The VisitScotland Conference Bid Fund has been instrumental in helping to attract numerous prestigious, high-yield, high-spend international conferences to this country, making Scotland more competitive within the international conference market. Securing the bid for the European Congress on Biotechnology is excellent news for Scotland, and for Edinburgh in particular, and is further testament to the world-class facilities at the EICC.”
Louise Andrew, EICC Head of Sales and Marketing said: “Congresses in city centre locations are always successful and the ultimate flexibility of our space, in the heart of Edinburgh, is even more value enhancing. During ECB16 each day begins and ends with major plenary sessions for 800 plus delegates but in less time than it takes to break for coffee our revolving auditoria deliver four symposia stages in the same space, optimising congress programme time and delegate satisfaction”.
Simon Maier, Creative Director, TFI Group, said: “ECB16 is organised by the EFB in conjunction with us; working together in close partnership, we have used our shared expertise to produce a brilliant, vibrant and engaging congress which is certain to leave its mark in Edinburgh’s scientific history. TFI looks forward to organising more events in this beautiful city, where we already have a strong presence.”
Over 109 conferences and events are due to take place in Edinburgh between 2014 and 2021, estimated to generate over £117 million for the local economy. This includes internationally respected conventions such as the European Aquaculture Society in 2016 and the Cleft Lip/Palate and Related Craniofacial Anomalies conference in 2021.
Edinburgh is the number one ICCA (International Congress and Convention Association) conference destination in the UK outside of London and rated 21 in the top 50 European City ranking.
For further information on Convention Edinburgh and its services, including the Ambassador programme at www.conventionedinburgh.com @conventions
For further information on 16th European Congress on Biotechnology visit: www.ecb16.com
Photo © Malcolm Cochrane
Founding Editor of The Edinburgh Reporter.
Edinburgh-born multimedia journalist and iPhoneographer.
