After a decade as sales and marketing director at the
Edinburgh International Conference & Exhibition Centre (EICC), Amanda Wrathall has stepped up
to take the reigns as the venue’s new chief executive.
Her appointment follows the sudden departure of previous CEO Marshall Dallas, who tendered his resignation in November last year, after plans for a new Hyatt hotel failed to materialise.
Wrathall is already recognised as an industry leader and was
awarded Women in Tourism (WIT) top 100 in 2022 and 2024, as well as Tourism
Individual of the Year in the 2024 Central & East Scotland Scottish
Thistle Awards.
Welcoming the appointment, councillor Lezley Marion Cameron,
chair of the EICC board, said: “I am delighted to announce Amanda
Wrathall’s appointment as our new EICC chief executive.
“As EICC sales and marketing director, Amanda has
consistently demonstrated her ability to lead, transform and inspire teams and
succeed in partnership working.
“Amanda’s lead role in the EICC’s successful temporary
guardianship of the Edinburgh Convention Bureau is a great example. Her high
standing in local and national hospitality and tourism industry and government
networks is another.”
Owned by the City of Edinburgh Council, the EICC has hosted more
than 4,500 events since 1995, welcoming over 2.2 million delegates and bringing
in an economic impact worth £930 million to the local economy. The venue
has played host to the likes of Barack Obama, George Clooney and Malala
Yousafzai while acting as vaccination centre during Covid, count venue for
Scottish and General Elections and a Fringe venue every August.
“It’s a privilege to take on the role of CEO at this
important moment in the EICC’s journey,” said Wrathall. “Building on a strong
legacy, my focus is to lead the organisation into its next phase, delivering
ideas with impact and performance with purpose, while creating lasting value
for our clients, our people, our city, and our shareholder.
“I’d like to thank the Board for their trust and support and
acknowledge the exceptional team whose commitment underpins our success. I look
forward to shaping a bold, inclusive, and sustainable future together.”
Edinburgh Convention Bureau was managed by EICC for three years (2022-2024) following the collapse of Marketing Edinburgh in 2019. The venue had sought to extend its stewardship of the bureau by another three years, but the city council's offer of a £150,000 one-year deal was rejected by the EICC board and the bureau was taken back in-house.
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
