Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen – Copyright: Newsline Scotland
With thanks to Stevie Brown, Tricker PR.
Plans for a new state-of-the-art £333m Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) have been approved. The planned 15,000 capacity conference and concert venue, will almost double to capacity of the current AECC which has a maximum capacity of 8,500, and will include conference facilities, a concert hall, two hotels and a green energy plant, aimed at offsetting costs.
Planners are in discussion with Aloft Hotels and Hilton regarding the construction of two onsite hotels which would provide up to an additional 350 rooms for the city.
Subject to planning permission, the new venue will be based in Dyce near Aberdeen International Airport.
Steve Harris, Chief Executive of VisitAberdeen says,
“The announcement that the plans for the new Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre have been approved can only strengthen the international event and conference product Aberdeen offers. The AECC contributes over £80m to the north-east economy each year, which increases to approximately £140m during the biennial Offshore Europe exhibition.
“Aberdeen has a strong conference product, and was ranked in 11th position in The British Meetings and Events Industry Survey in 2014 for business tourism and events. The new exhibition centre will address the need for a bigger purpose built facility, to accommodate the requirements of the conference and entertainment event industry, and without it, Aberdeen will most certainly lose out on future events and the economic benefits that they bring to the city.
“The new location of the centre positioned near Aberdeen International Airport is a significant move, and will make travel to and from the venue even easier than the existing site for international visitors. The state-of-the-art conference centre is a hugely valuable investment to Aberdeen and we look forward to welcoming even more corporate and leisure events to the city.”
VisitAberdeen is a partnership between Aberdeen City Council and the industry including Aberdeen City and Shire Hotels Association and Aberdeen Inspired. For further information contact VisitAberdeen on 01224 900490 or visit www.visitaberdeen.com.
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