A bite of the Big Apple

Members of our sales and marketing team recently travelled to the Big Apple to spread the word about the EICC's world-class expanded facilities. Following a successful exhibition at IMEX in Las Vegas last year, the EICC's Head of Sales and Marketing, Louise Andrew, took a trip to New York to promote the conference centre as part of Scotland Week. She spoke enthusiastically about the trip and its potential to bring even more business to the capital:

"We had a great response to being at IMEX in Las Vegas and it was a natural follow-up to go to New York when there is such a strong focus on all things Scottish during Scotland Week. We have a great reputation in North America with International Associations so this trip was an ideal opportunity to build on this reputation.

We also met with businesses that are interested in staging events in Scotland during the 2014 Year of Homecoming, which will see two of the world’s greatest sporting events take place, the Commonwealth Games and The Ryder Cup," added Andrew.

Four new hotels open in the capital

With Edinburgh’s business and leisure tourist industries booming, the demand for quality accommodation is ever increasing. A newcomer to the city’s hotel scene, the Hilton Doubletree – the first of its kind in Scotland – opened earlier this year on Bread Street. Occupying the former Point Hotel premises, it has been subject to a multi-million pound renovation to create luxurious accommodation in the heart of the city centre.

We also recently welcomed a second Motel One to the city, located on Princes Street. Its proximity to Waverley Station makes it the perfect choice for those travelling by train and it is ideally positioned for reaching business and shopping districts. The Hotel Ibis chain has recently opened two further hotels in the city – one in St Andrews Square and a second located at Edinburgh Park, one of the UK's largest business parks.

Fashion forward

The iconic clothing brand, Tommy Hilfiger, has opened a new double-level store in Edinburgh’s upmarket Multrees Walk. The store showcases the latest seasonal collections of male and female fashion from the distinguished brand and joins a network of more than 1,200 Tommy Hilfiger stores in over 90 countries worldwide.

From modern-day clothing to those who ignited our passion for fashion, ‘In Fine Style: The Art of Tudor and Stuart Fashion’, is an exhibition examining the opulent clothing of the Stuart and Tudor elite. Showcasing at The Queen’s Gallery, Palace of Holyrood House until 20 July, this is a great event for those who like a side of history with their fashion. This exhibition isn’t the only event in Edinburgh’s stylish calendar in July. The Edinburgh International Fashion Festival takes place in venues across the city from 18-28 July. Featuring a packed programme of events, you can find out more by visiting their website.

St Andrew's Square redevelopment and St James' Quarter

A £75 million redevelopment is now underway at St Andrew's Square which will see the former Scottish Provident building being transformed. Set to be complete by 2016, the development will comprise a shopping mall, offices and rooftop apartments.

The re-development of St James' Shopping Centre has been in the pipeline for many years and work is now set to commence next year. The £850 million plans will make the area – soon to be called St James Quarter – almost unrecognisable from its current state. A host of new shops will be welcomed, alongside premium office space, apartments, an apart-hotel, a theatre and an upmarket hotel. John Lewis will remain open throughout the development work whilst the surrounding Leith Street, Little King Street and Picardy Place are all set for major facelifts as part of the project. Work will commence on the re-development next year and it is anticipated it will be complete by 2016.

The Commonwealth Games comes to Glasgow

One of many events making it a huge year for Scotland, the Commonwealth Games 2014 will take place from 23 July to 03 August in Glasgow. It marks the third time that Scotland will have hosted the Games, which will see 6,500 athletes from 71 countries competing in 17 different sports. The scale of the event means that Edinburgh’s Royal Commonwealth Pool will host the diving competition. Designed in 1967 for the 1970 Commonwealth Games in Edinburgh, the recently modernised facility was also used as a venue for the 1986 Games. In addition to the sporting events, there will be a range of cultural and arts events also taking place.

Edinburgh part of gin renaissance

The EICC has contributed a record £50.4million back to the city of Edinburgh. Its recent economic impact report reveals this exceptional figure was even more impressive than the £35.6million generated in 2012. EICC Chairman, Cllr Gordon Munro, says: "In 2013, EICC's new Lennox Suite expansion opened its doors and it is encouraging to see such an early payback to the city from this investment. Businesses that accommodate transport and entertain visitors to Edinburgh will share my appreciation of the outstanding work of Chief Executive, Hans H Rissmann and his team in bringing the new space to market on time and with a growing order book."