Venues
General Information for Attendees
Aberdeen
Aberdeen will host the main elements of the conference. Aberdeen is Scotland’s third largest city and Europe’s energy capital — a place with historic charm, a thriving economy and cosmopolitan community of some 220,000 people.
A coastline of spectacular beaches and dunes stretch north of the city, while to the west lies nearby Royal Deeside, home to some of the most beautiful countryside in Scotland and the eastern gateway to the mountainous Cairngorms National Park.
Aberdeen caters for all cultural, leisure and entertainment tastes. His Majesty’s Theatre, The Music Hall, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, and The Lemon Tree regularly attract national and international artists and companies. The city also boasts three cinema multiplexes, Aberdeen Art Gallery, a Maritime Museum and first-class sports facilities.
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
At Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, it’s the people that make things memorable. Whether it’s a conference, event or meeting; a premier concert or show; an exhibition; or just a visit to North East Scotland’s leading venue, the team at AECC promise one thing: we’ll make your experience unforgettable.
All catering at AECC is prepared in-house and on-site by our award winning catering team and we are proud to use the best Scottish resources and support local producers. This guarantees the highest quality and means the team can respond quickly to any last minute changes. AECC were the first centre in Scotland to receive a Healthy Living award and won an "Eat Safe" Award in 2008, which is designed to promote excellence in food hygiene and food safety management.
With 25 years experience in hosting international congresses, trade and public exhibitions, rock and pop concerts, live sporting events, award dinners, corporate dinner dances and small meetings the in-house catering team can create everything from small informal buffets to five-course banquets for over a thousand people.
St Andrews
In spite of its small size, the picturesque royal burgh of St Andrews is famed far beyond the borders of Scotland. The seat of the Royal and Ancient Golf Club, the game's foremost authority, St Andrews is the spiritual home to golfers everywhere and over the years the famed Old Course has played host to the world's best players at many different championships. The town boasts ten fine courses, soon to be eleven when the Castle Course opens in June 2008. With a course to suit every ability, regardless of experience golfers can savour the unique atmosphere of playing at the Home of Golf.
St Andrews is renowned for more than the game it gave to the world and evidence of its long and at times turbulent history can be seen everywhere. It is an ancient seat of learning, being home to Scotland's first university. Founded in 1412, the elegant, ivy-clad buildings and delightful quadrangles and gardens have seen a procession of famous graduates.
The majority of the Conference and Exhibition will take place at the Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre.
Other Venues
Some elements of the public programme will take place in other locations in Aberdeen and in St Andrews.
There will also be opportunities to visit both OceanLab at the University of Aberdeen's Newburgh site and the Marine Mamal Research Centre in St Andrews.