Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC)

Lives up to its name, best suited for large conferences of 350 plus.

The purpose-built conference centre is ideal for conferences of 350 plus delegates is in the centre of Edinburgh and continues to appeal to event organisers of association and corporate meetings from across the world.

Since opening in 1995, the Conference Centre has held more than 1500 events, attracting more than 600,000 delegates to Edinburgh and Scotland.

Business facilities: The 1200-raked seating auditorium offers event organisers the utmost flexibility, transforming into three separate auditoria at the touch of a button. There are a further four suites that can be subdivided to create 11 meeting rooms and the centre also offers banqueting for up to 850 people or 2000 sq m of exhibition space. Following the success of the last 10 years, the City of Edinburgh is reinvesting in the EICC and expanding for the future. The £30m state-of-the-art multi-purpose expansion project will provide event organisers with a further 2000 sq m of exhibition, meeting or function space, and up to another 11 new breakout rooms.

Dining: The EICC believe food should be simple, fresh and uncomplicated - perfectly suited to fine Scottish produce and a five-star dining experience. There is a wide variety of menus to suit all occasions and tastes, ranging from healthy lunches to fine dining to banqueting from 350 and 850 people. The star-cloth back drop and individually lit place setting of the Cromdale Hall provides an elegant atmospheres for large dinner dances or award ceremonies.

Team bonding/relaxation: The team at the EICC can advise and organise a wide range of events through their many contacts within Edinburgh and beyond. They have excellent relationships with several luxury five-star hotels which are within walking distance of the Centre as is Edinburgh Castle, the Royal Mile and the main shopping areas of Princes Street and George Street.

Transport links: Edinburgh airport is just 10km away and the railway station a couple of minutes. Glasgow is less than an hour away by train or road.

Special offer: Edinburgh on Offer for 21 Days
EICC has joined forces with top hotels in the city to attract new conference business for 21 days in October and November. The highly competitive accommodation offer for conferences at EICC targets groups of over 350 delegates, and includes the 5-star rated Sheraton Grand Hotel and Spa, The Caledonian Hilton and The Rocco Forte Balmoral Hotel.

Top Tips on organising your social programme

Conferences aren't all work and no play. A key element of many meetings is the social programme for both delegates and their accompanying partners.

1. Local Culture
Embrace the local culture and let it inspire your social programme. Whether it's Highland Games in Scotland or wine tasting in the vineyards of France, delegates have travelled far to experience something different. Your conference might coincide with a local festival which could offer fantastic activities not normally available.

2. Timing
If you're planning a gala dinner choose a night when most delegates can attend. All the hard work is indeed over on the last night, however you may lose a lot of delegates who are eager to get home and hence leave early. It's worth asking delegates at registration if they are planning on attending the final night.

3 Menus
Food is always under close scrutiny by delegates during the conference but also during the social programme. Watch out for duplications between the conference and the social programmes. Beef for lunch and then for dinner can be a little wearing as can two whisky tasting sessions!

4 Contingency plans
Bad weather, the coach breaks down or delegates get caught in heavy traffic. It's impossible to plan for every eventuality however if you carry out a risk assessment in advance at least you'll be prepared.

5 The wow-factor
Make the social programme something to remember and it will attract delegates back time and time again. The wow-factor doesn't necessarily mean blowing the budget on a trip on the Orient Express. At an event at the EICC one of the most talked about activities was the sponsored fun run. A montage of photos of the run circulated the conference on the final day providing much hilarity and atmosphere when spirits were flagging!

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