Edinburgh, Scotland -- (SBWIRE) -- 04/13/2010 -- The Edinburgh Convention Bureau (ECB - http://www.conventionedinburgh.com/) figures for 2009/10 show an increase of £700,000 in the economic value of conferences won for the city over the value achieved in the previous financial year.

Growth was achieved by helping to win 257 conferences which are expected to attract up to 58,277 high-spending business delegates to Edinburgh. In the previous year (2008/09) the city won 200 conferences with 52,027 delegates.

The most important area of business in the year just ended was the Association Meetings market, a specific target for the ECB, which accounted for 179 Edinburgh events with 47,885 associated delegates and was worth £64.3million of the total £74.2 million.

Looking ahead to 2010/11 the ECB, which is responsible for promoting Edinburgh as a global business tourism destination, is aiming for continued growth.

A 2% increase in the value of business tourism has been set which would see the sector inject £75.7 million into Edinburgh’s local economy.

Commenting on the results, Sue Stuart, ECB Chief Executive, said: “We are delighted to have sustained our recent growth pattern in what have been very difficult economic conditions for everyone. It is all down to very hard work and excellent research to identify new events we can target for the city.”

“Our results also demonstrate Edinburgh’s reputation as a centre of excellence in the fields of academic research and development, particularly in medicine, life sciences and computing which play a significant role in attracting the conferences of professional associations. The city is also seen as a high quality, value-for-money destination.”

She added: “Looking ahead to next year we still expect to have to compete in difficult economic conditions. However we are confident we can continue to achieve growth with a focused approach and diligent research.”

Editors Notes

- ECB helped win 257 conferences in Edinburgh during 2009/10 worth £74.2 million to the economy.
- Edinburgh is the most popular UK city after London for hosting international association meetings and is the 28th most popular business tourism destination in the world.
- In order to count towards ICCA ranking an event must rotate its location between a minimum of two countries and have at least 50 (international) delegates.
- The annual total value of Edinburgh’s business tourism is estimated at almost £300 million.
- The Edinburgh Ambassadors Programme matches recognised leaders in the city’s many areas of academic and commercial excellence with the professional marketing support of ECB staff who together work as a team to help them bring their international association’s conference to Edinburgh. Since 1996 the programme has helped bring more than 210 major events, worth almost £100 million, to the city.
- Edinburgh is a founder member of the international www.bestcities.net strategic alliance, which aims to guarantee the meetings industry the world’s best service experience in each of the member cities (Cape Town, Copenhagen, Dubai, Edinburgh, Melbourne, San Juan, Singapore, Vancouver).
- To learn more about ECB visit http://www.conventionedinburgh.com

Issued on behalf of ECB by fs communications

For further information contact:
Frank Sullivan
Telephone: 07718660122
Email: frank.sullivan@btconnect.com