ABERDEEN CONVENTION BUREAU FLIES THE FLAG AT CONFEX 28/02/11

Aberdeen Convention Bureau (ACB) will be flying the flag for the North-east's business tourism when it attends the premier UK event for the conference and meetings industry this week.

 Confex 2011, which takes place at London's Earls Court from tomorrow to Thursday (March 1-3), will showcase 1,000 exhibitors, attracting event professionals from throughout the world.

 Aberdeen Convention Bureau will be joined on the VisitScotland stand by the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel and Spa, one of the North-east's top conference hotels.

 Prior to Confex, the Bureau is also taking part in the Discovery 2011 workshop in Windsor today. Prescheduled appointments will take place with international buyers who will be attending Confex tomorrow.

 Business tourism is crucial to the wider Scottish economy, with an economic benefit of £1billion a year, and Aberdeen Convention Bureau is responsible for bringing millions of pounds worth of conference business to the North-east each year.

 Jacky Selway, manager of Aberdeen Convention Bureau, said: "Attendance at these events is vitally important to demonstrate that Aberdeen is serious about attracting business tourism, and that we now have the full range of top facilities that are crucial to the success of an international conference.

 "In the next few years, flagship developments such as the Trump International Golf Resort will open and we will benefit from increased connectivity through Aberdeen Airport, including flights to the US via Dublin.

 "It is important to be able to continually upgrade and showcase our offering to make us more able to attract the international conference market and successfully compete for business against other cities in the UK and overseas.

 "We are delighted that the Mercure Ardoe House Hotel and Spa will join us at Confex and will be a fantastic ambassador for the North-east."

 The approved plans to extend Aberdeen Airport's runway are also seen as key to securing more flights to new cities and countries, while a range of new hotels in the city has also strengthened Aberdeen's position as a conference destination, including Park Inn by Radisson and Hilton Garden Inn, and a refurbishment programme at the Hilton Aberdeen Treetops Hotel.

 For more information about Aberdeen City and Shire as a conference destination, contact Aberdeen Convention Bureau, call 01224 288815 or visit www.aberdeenconferences.com