Highlights at the EICC Members of the EICC team reflect on hosting Barack Obama earlier this summer. Plus, Edinburgh Napier University and the EICC announce an exciting new partnership
An Evening with Barack Obama
Barack Obama, the 44th President of the United States, addressed philanthropy and business leaders in Edinburgh at a dinner on Friday 26 May. The event, An Evening with Barack Obama, was held at the EICC and organised by The Hunter Foundation. It raised an impressive £670,000, to be invested in charities supporting young people in Scotland.
“He immediately put you at ease and gave the genuine impression that he was delighted to talk with you”
Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive of the EICC, said: “From start to finish the whole evening was electric. I can honestly say that everyone involved in the event performed at a level that made me feel great pride towards our venue, our city and, of course, our team.”
Here’s what some members of the EICC team had to say about the experience of getting up close with President Obama, starting with Marshall who was there to greet him:
“I had the great privilege of greeting President Obama on his arrival at the EICC. I found him to be incredibly gracious; he immediately put you at ease and gave the genuine impression that he was delighted to talk with you.”Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive
“Before taking to the stage the great man enjoyed a dinner of pan-seared chicken, broccoli, green beans, baby carrots and brown rice. He did what we were all brought up to do: he cleared his plate! Later on he took the time to thank all of the chefs and shake their hands. It was a very special evening for us.”
Adrian Wade, General Manager, Leith’s at the EICC
EICC Team and Lux Events with President Barack Obama
“As I was attaching Mr Obama’s tie clip microphone he said, ‘No pressure on you, Chris. This is why you get paid the big bucks.’ I laughed and asked him how his golf had gone that morning, to which he replied, ‘Nice deflection!’ On his departure he said goodbye to everybody backstage and shook my hand, telling me I’d done a good job. A lovely, special man and a thrilling moment for me.”Chris Carroll, Technical Planner & Stage Manager
“It was an absolute honour to have Barack Obama and his team at the EICC. There was a massive team and cross-organisational effort not only on the day but also in the weeks leading up to it, which ensured that we could deliver the event in the secure and safe manner that was vital to its success.”Marion McKean, Operations Director
Edinburgh Napier University and the EICC have teamed up to launch the UK’s first MSc in Business Event Management
Edinburgh Napier University and the EICC have launched the UK’s first MSc in Business Event Management, a subject only currently available at undergraduate level across the UK, with the first intake of candidates commencing study this September. Edinburgh Napier University is Scotland’s top university for hospitality, tourism and events management, and the MSc is positioned to take advantage of the UK’s booming events sector, which now totals over £40 billion. The EICC will offer cutting-edge industry experience to the MSc students as well as delivering guest lectures as part of the course at the University’s Craiglockhart Campus.
Professor James O’Kane, Dean of Business School, Edinburgh Napier University, said: “The collaboration of the Business School and EICC has enabled the creation of a novel programme that will produce employment-ready graduates with skills and experience aligned to the strategic challenges of the Tourism sector, nationally and internationally.”
“The EICC will offer cutting-edge industry experience to the MSc students as well as delivering guest lectures as part of the course at the University’s Craiglockhart Campus”
Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive of the EICC, added: “There is a great feeling of collective confidence today that this Masters can be a real differentiator for the students who undertake it and this announcement represents the first step in an ongoing partnership with Napier University – being a business which creates a platform for innovation and progression, we are thrilled to be working in collaboration with Napier on this initiative to produce amazing talent.”