Convention Edinburgh Strengthens Business Tourism Team for 2019

Two new sales appointments prepare Marketing Edinburgh’s business tourism arm to thrive in challenging climate

Convention Edinburgh – the business tourism arm for Marketing Edinburgh – has appointed two new sales colleagues to support the team in maintaining and growing Edinburgh’s position as a leading destination for meeting planners, second only to London in the UK.

Laura Henry joins Convention Edinburgh as International Association Sales Manager, bringing eleven years of business development experience within the hospitality and tourism sector to the team. Laura will generate and secure international association and corporate conference business for Edinburgh, and for Marketing Edinburgh’s members, while meeting ambitious annual targets. With a proactive outlook, Laura will manage and grow a vast network of international business leads and collaborate with city wide partners to prepare compelling bids.

Nam Gowans-Brown joins the team as National Association Sales Executive, bringing with her a solid track record of sales achievement in the service and hospitality industry, gained after completing an Honours Degree in Tourism from Edinburgh Napier University. Reporting directly to the International Association Sales Manager, Nam will support the team in managing leads and preparing bids, while also showcasing the Capital’s extensive business tourism offering through the organisation of familiarisation trips and attending industry events.

In a unique turn of events, both appointments return to Marketing Edinburgh having worked there previously – with Laura occupying a position as an Association Sales Executive between 2014 and 2016 and Nam taking up a role as a Marketing and Sales Executive from late 2014-2017.

Both bring additional sales experience to their new roles from The Principal Hotel Company, where Laura was Specialist Group Sales Manager for Scotland and Nam progressed her career in a Sales Executive role.

The new appointments will support the team in a challenging climate, with Brexit having the potential to unsettle international meeting planners, who may previously have been more likely to consider Edinburgh and the UK as a whole. To stand up to this threat, both Laura and Nam will be involved in progressing the next phase of Convention Edinburgh’s ‘Make It Edinburgh’ campaign. The first phase of the campaign was launched to ensure continued confidence in Edinburgh’s position as a leading business tourism destination and was made possible with the support of public and private organisations across the city – with £80,000^[i] in funding to showcase the city’s expertise and sector strengths via a dedicated website and social channels. Phase 2 will see digital activity recommence from December 2018.

Amanda Ferguson, who was appointed as Head of Business Tourism in June 2017, said: “It’s a pleasure to welcome Laura and Nam back to Marketing Edinburgh, and while they return with valuable additional experience, the fact that they have come back to us is testament to the strength of our team as a whole.

“In 2017/18 £73M was contributed to the local economy as a result of meetings confirmed by Convention Edinburgh alone – and while the climate is challenging, we’re moving forward with confidence, supported by a skilled team that truly believes in Edinburgh’s continued appeal as a business tourism destination.”