Bookings surge results in venue close to matching pre-pandemic levels
ONE of Scotland’s top conference and events businesses is dispelling concerns that the industry would never return to pre-pandemic levels as it reveals a major surge in bookings.
City-centre venue Surgeons Quarter, which promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh (RCSEd) campus, has revealed that conference and events bookings made during the six months from April to September 2022 were close to exceeding the organisation’s record-breaking year in 2019.
With still 91 confirmed events and a further 79 internal college bookings to take place in the final quarter of the year alone.
That success is being mirrored in occupancy rates at its 129-room Ten Hill Place, which is sitting at over 98% for September and over 84% for October with encouraging figures recorded for the remainder of the year and into 2023.
Scott Mitchell is Managing Director of Surgeons Quarter, which puts profits back into the historic college, to support RCSEd’s aims of advancing surgical care and improving patient outcomes worldwide.
He said: “Business events are central to the local and national economy – and we want to do all we can to drive that inward investment.
“We’re delighted to get back to these numbers of visitors and it’s encouraging to see such a strong picture for the rest of the year. However, with an ever-changing landscape we are mindful of ongoing industry challenges.
“During the pandemic, it was worrying to think we may never return to in-person events at this level – which would have been a massive blow to the industry and delegates as there is only so much that can be transferred to a virtual setting. Thankfully, that hasn’t been the case and we’re back playing host to events from all across the world.
“Our venue offers bespoke set ups across sectors and specialities as required – with our teams able to accommodate and cater to hundreds of people at one time.
“The team go above and beyond for delegates and guests – it’s their dedication that sets us apart in Edinburgh and we’re exceptionally proud of their achievements during such a busy period.”
The strong performance and forecasts follow on from a successful August, with the venue hosting more than 160 Festival Fringe performances across 10 spaces – including a new venue adding a further 55 seats – resulting in thousands of fringe-goers being welcomed to the Surgeons Quarter campus throughout the month.
Surgeons Quarter has also invested in its 178-strong team with a selection of certified courses and training offered as multiskilling has been a key aspiration in response to growing demand.
Surgeons Quarter, the commercial arm of The Royal College of Surgeons of Edinburgh [RCSEd] promotes, sells and manages all commercial activities held within the RCSEd Campus with profits supporting the charitable aims of the College: education, assessment and advancement of surgical standards worldwide.
For more information on events, conferences and meeting space at Surgeons Quarter visit: https://www.surgeonsquarter.com/conferences-meetings/
