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Aberdeen Ambassador Network
Inspiring innovation and ambassador-led impact
The Aberdeen Ambassador Network is an alliance of academics, thought leaders, business experts, and regional stakeholders that position Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as a world-class destination for conferences and business events. Through collaboration, insight, and advocacy, Ambassadors drive growth, foster innovation, and secure high-profile associations events within the North-east.
What is an Ambassador
An Aberdeen Ambassador works within academia, is an industry leader, or an influential professional that is a member of an association within their field. Providing:
Destination Advocacy
Encouraging their professional networks, associations, and industry communities to consider Aberdeen for future conferences and events.
Credibility
As an influential voice, Ambassadors provide credibility to high-profile, knowledge-focused events aligned with Aberdeen’s sector strengths
Bid Support
In collaboration with Aberdeen Convention Bureau and partners, Ambassadors help to articulate regional research innovation within conference bids.
Regional Host
By leading Local Organising Committee event organisation, setting conference themes, and participating as an honorary speaker.
Why It Matters
Ambassador led association conferences are far more than events, they are catalysts for economic growth, knowledge creation, innovation, global connections, and long-term community impact.
Economic Impact
1. Conference Event
Conferences have a substantial and far-reaching impact on the region, driving economic growth, supporting local businesses, and enhancing the region’s reputation as a hub for innovation and collaboration.
2. Conference Activities
A successful conference relies on the seamless coordination of numerous components and stakeholders.
3. Businesses
Aberdeen hosts a vibrant network of local businesses that are integral to the success of its events industry and the overall delegate experience.
4. People
Thousands of local residents are employed across a wide variety of roles to help deliver high-quality events while contributing to the region’s economy and community.
Academic Impact
1. Conference Event
Conferences are more than gatherings — they are engines of academic advancement, providing a central point for knowledge creation and dissemination, cross-institutional networking, research development and validation, professional development, and opportunities for public engagement.
2. Conference Activity
Academic conferences encourage open discussion, spark ideas, encourage best practice, and continue professional development whilst promoting regional academic excellence and raising the profile of regional representatives
3. Conference Impact
Conferences provide impact by attracting established and emerging talent, enticing regional investment, sparking policy change, encouraging sector collaboration, supporting research collaboration, and enabling future project funding.
4. Conference Inspiration
In addition, conferences inspire by creating civic pride, strengthening community connections, supporting career decisions, and enhancing global networks.
Working in Partnership
Aberdeen Convention Bureau, P&J Live Association Team, and the University of Aberdeen CPD and Events Team work in partnership with Ambassador Steering Groups within the University of Aberdeen, Robert Gordon University and NHS Grampian to identify conferences related to research within North East key sectors.
This targeted approach enables the North East to share their research, build academic reputation, and enhance future research. Throughout bid and conference organisation, Aberdeen Convention Bureau, P&J Live Association Team and University of Aberdeen CPD and Events Team provide support and access to a wide-range of services.
A strong example of our collaborative activities was the UK Stroke Forum 2025, which was a joint effort between Aberdeen Convention Bureau, P&J Live Association Team, NHS Grampian, the University of Aberdeen and Aberdeen City Council.
Current Aberdeen Ambassadors
Name: Prof. S.S. Vasan
Organisation: NHS Grampian
Title: Director of R&D and Grampian CRDC
Conference Attracted: Expanded the annual Grampian Research Conference with academic, industry, NHS and third sector partners so it will be of interest more broadly to a UK-wide audience in its 9th edition (BioHub 2024), 10th edition (P&J Live 2025) and 11th edition (RGU 2026)
Summarise your experience of working with Aberdeen Convention Bureau: Very positive, their support over the past 3 years has assisted Grampian Research Conference invitees with travel and accommodation. They also arranged a civic reception with Aberdeen’s Lord Provost. The team are always available to help.
Name: Dr Izzy Crawford
Organisation: Robert Gordon University
Title: Associate Dean, Economic, Social and Cultural Development, Aberdeen Business School
Conference Attracted: In progress (UNICOIL Symposium)
Summarise your experience of working with the Aberdeen Convention Bureau: I have been working with ACB since Spring 2025 to help identify academic conference and event opportunities that will support economic, social and cultural development within the region.
Name: Dr Jenna Ross OBE
Organisation: Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust / University of Aberdeen / UK Agri-Tech Centre
Conference: Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Annual Conference 2025
Statement: It has been fantastic to work with the Aberdeen Convention Bureau, providing support to myself and the Nuffield Farming team from start to finish. This included supporting the identification of the venue, orientating the wider team to the area, supporting the bidding process, information gathering on logistics and hotels, negotiating competitive prices, vital introductions to key stakeholders, site visits and delivery. Without this vital support, it would have been impossible to take the Nuffield Farming Scholarships Trust Annual Conference to Aberdeen.
Join the Aberdeen Ambassador Network
If you are an academic or business leader in the North-east with interest in the Aberdeen Ambassador Network, please get in touch.