Members of the Aberdeen Convention Bureau’s Ambassador Programme – comprised of academics and business leaders – were recognised at a reception for their role in helping to secure £8m worth of conference business for the north-east.

Nearly 40 guests attended the Gordon Highlanders Museum last Wednesday (March 21), where Lord Provost Peter Stephen presented awards to 16 of the 25 ambassadors who secured more than half the conferences for 2011 or for the next few years.

Ambassador Programme executive at Aberdeen Convention Bureau, Andrew Pratt, said: “The awards ceremony was about acknowledging the efforts of all our ambassadors who have worked with us to influence their peers and bring millions of pounds worth of conference business to the North-east.

“We rely on our ambassadors to help us bring conferences and events to the city but in return it also gives them the opportunity to showcase the work they are doing locally to their peers, both nationally and internationally.”

Business tourism provides the Scottish economy with £1bn a year, and through its Ambassador Programme, the bureau works closely with the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and businesses to bring conferences, seminars and events to Aberdeen.

Conferences secured by the ambassadors include British Archaeological Association Conference 2014, Association of Paediatric Anaesthetists conference 2015, EU Conference on Non Linear Optical Spectroscopy and British Science Festival 2012, to name but a few.

Pictured: Lord Provost Peter Stephen (centre) presents awards to two ambassadors