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Steven Daun, Sales Manager Associations at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC)
Did you know, that...?
+ Aberdeen is the Energy Capital of Europe; home to over 900 energy related companies, research institutions and government bodies. It is an ideal location for associations wanting to engage with local, national and international energy organizations.
+ The University of Aberdeen is Scotland’s top-rated medical school; 76% of the University of Aberdeen’s research has been ranked as “world leading” or “internationally excellent” in the research excellence framework, providing associations with first class research to be discussed at conferences and excellent speakers.
+ Within the region there is a golf course for every week of the year, including the Trump International Golf Links as well as Royal Aberdeen. This provides great opportunities for delegates to network over a game of golf.
Where to meet?
Home to a huge diverse range of local, national and international events, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) provides a comprehensive range of facilities. Hosting meetings, conferences, banqueting, concerts, sporting events and exhibitions, the venue has capacity for conferences of up to 2,000 delegates, 8,500 for an all standing gig and 7,300sqm of purpose-built exhibition space.
With 20 breakout rooms for between 10 and 150 people plus five multi-purpose suites, we offer a flexible, agile and dynamic venue solution to each customer’s specific requirements.
Where to stay?
A number of new hotel developments have opened in Aberdeen increasing the areas bed stock to over 5,000 beds and providing a range of options for visiting delegates. Currently there are roughly 2,000 3-star, 3,000 4-star and 150 5-star bedrooms in the city.
Aberdeen is continuing to grow with many new hotels opening in the next couple of years. Close to Aberdeen International Airport are the Courtyard by Marriott and Premier Inn which opened in 2013 and a Crown Plaza and Ibis are due to open in early 2016.
The Chester Hotel is a brand new 5-star property located in the West End of Aberdeen - an ideal venue for high end accommodation. Additionally, in July 2014, Canadian based Sandman Hotel Group announced that it will establish its first hotel in Scotland in Aberdeen City Centre; a 4-star premium hotel complex with 220 bedrooms, including 61 one-bedroom suites, a restaurant, and meeting space, additionally a Marriott Residence Inn is set to open in the City Centre in 2017.
AECC has two on-site hotels; the Holiday Inn AECC and the Holiday Inn Express. In total these hotels have 258 rooms, offering restaurant, bar and room service facilities. The Holiday Inn is connected to AECC with a covered link walk way and the Express is a two minute walk to the main entrance.
How to get there?
Aberdeen is one of the best hub-connected airports in Europe and provides the highest level of hub connectivity compared with any other regional airport in the UK – with multiple services throughout each day to Paris (CDG), Amsterdam (AMS), Frankfurt (FRA), Dublin (DUB), Copenhagen (CPH), Norway and all of London’s four airports (Heathrow, Gatwick, Luton and City).
In fact, you can reach Aberdeen from the UK capital in less time than it takes to cross central London – it’s just 75 minutes flying time! Aberdeen is easily accessible by rail and road links from the north and the south. Aberdeen is easily accessible with scheduled flights to Aberdeen International Airport from a host of major European Cities and AECC is located just six miles from the Airport, making travel from airport to venue quick and easy.
Do you offer any special services/assistance for associations?
As every association is unique with different needs; we work with each association individually to provide first class service and advice on what is best for its specific requirements. The Team Aberdeen approach consists of a group of organizations who work together; providing advice and support from the bidding stages all the way through to supporting delegates and the committee when the conference begins in Aberdeen.
VisitAberdeen, the local destination marketing organisation can help advise on social event venues and help with pre-marketing, ensuring maximum attendance at the event.
Whom to contact?
Steven Daun, Sales Manager Associations at Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC): sdaun@aecc.co.uk