EICC to host employment showcase for £40bn UK events industry

Edinburgh International Convention Centre is set to host an employment showcase for the £40bn UK events industry.

The EICC will host a special event on October 5 designed to boost awareness of job opportunities in the sector among school, college and university students.

Research indicates that there was a low level of awareness despite the rising number of career paths in the industry in increasingly skilled roles.

The showcase will see students taken on tours of the venue before listening to a line-up of guest speakers from the industry – including ExecSpace CEO and Founder, Emma Little; Sheraton Grand Hotel General Manager and Chair of Edinburgh Hoteliers Association, Tristan Nesbitt, and; Adrian Wade, General Manager, Leith’s at the EICC – followed by a Q&A and panel discussion.

Marshall Dallas, Chief Executive of the EICC, said: “The business events industry is a fast-growing segment of Scotland and the UK’s economy and our Master’s degree which we run in partnership with Edinburgh Napier University is not only unique, we also think it’s one of the best of its kind anywhere in the world. It can lead to an exciting career in an industry that continues to grow year after year, by arming candidates with a skill set that will allow them to fast-track their way in the national and international business tourism sector. As an international conference centre, we’re passionate about, and take responsibility for, developing new talent for the events industry and we are looking forward to welcoming over 200 students this Friday from all over Scotland and further afield. We are also very much looking forward to welcoming our second intake of MSc students in January 2018.”

Amanda Wrathall, Sales and Marketing Director at the EICC, said: “Research shows that while on one hand people are not actively encouraged into the hospitality sector, there is a wide range of opportunities from convention centres like the EICC, to hotels and agencies. At the same time, we are experiencing a marked increase in interest from colleges, schools and universities and we want to be able to offer a platform to share our experience and pass on knowledge. Dean Matheson, one of our Sales Executive’s at the EICC and a recent graduate of Events Management from Edinburgh College saw this gap and has driven the project to help students and young people gain insight into the industry, he knows that the links he made while studying have been key to his career success.”

Dean Matheson, a Sales Executive at the EICC and a graduate of Events Management from Edinburgh College, was instrumental in designing the open day which is set to become an annual fixture going forward. He said: “Having had first-hand experience of the importance for students linking up with industry during their studies, we’re excited to launch the open day and to provide a platform for the event industry talent of the future.”