Five things you need to know today

Scotland’s Capital is set for its on-screen debut at IMEX America.  Created by Convention Edinburgh, the business tourism arm of Marketing Edinburgh, the stunning new film is set to showcase all the key components that make Edinburgh one of the leading business tourism destinations in the world.

And now you can watch it here:

Financed by VisitScotland Growth Fund, Edinburgh Hotels Association (EHA), Edinburgh Airport and Marketing Edinburgh the three minute film combines stunning footage of the city’s iconic skyline with a whirlwind tour de force of Edinburgh’s state of the art conference facilities and diverse accommodation offering. Eye-catching typography relates key facts and figures that speak directly to decision-makers in the meeting industry and influencers in the associations sector. 

Lesley Williams, Head of Business Tourism at Convention Edinburgh said:

“The main objective of the new film is to raise awareness and drive business tourism and conferences to the city, its hotels and venues. That said, it was also the perfect opportunity to challenge people’s preconceptions of Edinburgh and encourage some real emotional engagement with the destination. 

“Edinburgh is a centre of innovation, business and inspiration. Combined with world class facilities, a rich cultural heritage and ease of access from across the globe, the film succinctly provides a huge number of compelling reasons for event organisers to choose Edinburgh for their next conference – and we look forward to welcoming them.”   

From April to September 2014, Convention Edinburgh worked with its members to host 36,000 delegates across 103 events in and around Edinburgh, generating an additional £56 million for the local economy.

The ‘This is Conferencing’ film funding from VisitScotland is one element of an overall £39,100 VisitScotland Growth Fund investment to enable Convention Edinburgh to undertake a new integrated marketing and advertising campaign to promote the destination’s business tourism offering to the North American convention market.

The VisitScotland Growth Fund is a £1 million fund available for well researched, new, collaborative marketing projects from groups of tourism businesses that have a strong customer focus and that operate at local, regional or national level.

Manuela Calchini, VisitScotland’s Regional Director for Edinburgh and the Lothians, said:

“We are delighted to be able to help Convention Edinburgh produce this new film through the VisitScotland Growth Fund. It is a terrific way of showcasing the Capital’s superb business event facilities and will further enhance Scotland’s excellent reputation in the global MICE market. As one of VisitScotland’s stand partners at IMEX America, Convention Edinburgh has a chance to show the world that the city is a leading business tourism destination.”

Tristian Nesbitt, General Manager of the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa and Chairman of the Edinburgh Hotels Association, said:

“The new ‘This is Conferencing’ film will be an incredibly valuable resource for EHA members and all businesses and organisations that operate in Edinburgh’s dynamic conference sector. The film, along with Convention Edinburgh’s attendance at crucial international events such as IMEX America, is a pivotal step forward, allowing us TO work more effectively together to create a more powerful presence in what is an incredibly competitive global marketplace.”

2013/14 was a record-breaking year for Convention Edinburgh, with the business tourism team and its partners securing over 150 new conference bid wins worth over £90.1million 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.

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Speaking in a debate on cycling policy at Westminster, Mark Lazarowicz MP highlighted progress here in Edinburgh to make cycling safer and more attractive whether for the daily commute or leisure but stressed how much needs to be done if the UK is to emulate countries like the Netherlands or Denmark.

Mark said:

“Pedal on Parliament each year shows just how much enthusiasm there is here in Edinburgh for cycling and the City Council deserves praise for its commitment through funding and other initiatives.

“There is still a long way to go however with cycling only making up 2% of all journeys in the UK each year compared to 27% of those in the Netherlands and 19% of journeys in Denmark.

“Cycling has real benefits to offer, it’s healthy, cuts the number of cars on the roads and with it pollution and accidents but we need to integrate it fully into transport infrastructure and make sure funding is there to do it.”

Mark Lazarowicz’s speech can be read in full here

In 2012 Edinburgh City Council made a commitment to increase cycling’s share of the council transport budget by 1% each year and it has stuck to it: from 5% two years ago it now stands at 7%. In another initiative it is also consulting on the extension of 20mph zones in Edinburgh.

Mark Lazarowicz has raised the issue of access for cyclists to Waverley station with Network Rail which at present is only possible along the pedestrian footway from Waverley Bridge.

He said: “That’s undesirable for both cyclists and pedestrians and an illustration of the need to better integrate cycling with other forms of transport.”