The former head of business tourism at Marketing Edinburgh, Amanda Ferguson, has been appointed by the University of Edinburgh to drive business across its hotel and venue portfolio.
Ferguson is now the head of business development at Edinburgh First, the commercial arm of the university, having previously worked for the now mothballed promotional agency.
On her appointment, she said: “The fallout from the pandemic has brought the whole hospitality and business tourism sector to a standstill. Our goal and ambitions are to use Edinburgh First’s world class products and services to boost the local economy and mobilise the city again. I’m excited to work with the new business development team and reignite Edinburgh’s hospitality sector.”
Prior to the pandemic, Edinburgh First typically hosted 130,000 delegates at 1,600 events a year, across 70 venues, operated three standalone hotels and turned student accommodation into ‘Scotland’s biggest hotel’ from May to September.
Lyndsay Wilkie, director of business development at Edinburgh First, said: “Amanda is an outstanding appointment for Edinburgh First. Creating a new business development team comes at an exciting time at Edinburgh First and we are looking forward to Amanda bringing her range of skills and experience to progress the business. We are delighted that Amanda has chosen to further her career with us, adding her valuable knowledge and expertise to the team.”
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,
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