Case Study: Lloyds TSB Local Heroes
CASE STUDY
August 2009
New Local Heroes Revealed
The Brief
When Lloyds TSB Scotland decided to announce its five new local heroes for 2009, they were looking for a venue to host the annual Local Heroes Scheme workshop. The event welcomes new sporting local heroes to the workshop to coach the athletes on how to manage their sporting and educational commitments to help prepare them to train for the 2012 Olympics.
The Local Heroes programme provides each young athlete with £1000 to help pay for the high expense the face each year when training for the Olympics. Former Olympic medal winners were invited to give advice on a wide range of topics including nutrition and health. Lloyds TSB therefore required a venue that would suit the interactive nature of the event and that was great value for money, especially during the current economic climate.
The Challenge
To accommodate the athletes, their supporters and Lloyds TSB staff, a large auditorium was essential. It was important that the auditorium was equipped with modern audio-visual equipment to hold the presentation and information sessions. Catering services were required to allow the athletes to tuck into a healthy lunch in preparation for an afternoon of being a Local Hero. Many of the athletes and their supporters were travelling from across Scotland which meant that the venue had to have excellent transport links and plenty of parking facilities. Disabled facilities were required to give the Paralympic athletes access to the venue.
The Solution
The Edinburgh Conference Centre at Heriot-Watt University was the chosen location for the Lloyds TSB Scotland event. The purpose built James Watt Centre provided the ideal space for the athletes and their supporters combining the auditorium with ample breakout rooms and informal social space. The new state-of-the-art facilities provided Lloyds TSB Scotland with a fantastic, modern conferencing experience with new audio-visual equipment and an audience voting system allowing the event to become interactive. Lunch for the attendees was organised by the centre's fantastic team of chefs who, accredited with the Healthy Living Award, provided the athletes with a nutritious lunch.
The Edinburgh Conference Centre, situated in the city's Heriot-Watt University, benefits from a regular bus service to and from the city centre, with convenient road links to Scotland's motorway network. Over 1000 free parking spaces on the campus allowed ample parking for all who attended the event by car. The centre has wheelchair access for disabled attendees, allowing the athletes involved in the Paralympics to easily access the event.
The Execution
The Lloyds TSB Local Heroes event was a great success with the Edinburgh Conference Centre catering for their every need. The day began with an introduction to the Local Heroes scheme to explain what it means for the young athletes and their families. This was followed by several breakout sessions to allow the athletes' parents to learn how to support them in their journey. A photography and media area was set up in the Carnegie suite for interviews and photographs before lunch. Afternoon sessions saw top Olympians, Campbell Welsh and Katherine Merry address the young athletes to discuss sports psychology and to give their top tips on fitness and nutrition. The event was rounded off with a group sports session on one of Heriot Watt University's many sports pitches.
The Verdict
The Edinburgh Conference Centre met Lloyds TSB Scotland's every need and the event was a huge success for all in attendance. Fantastic feedback was received from the organisers who were thrilled that the workshop was so well received.
Lynne Geary, Edinburgh Conference Centre's Sales & Marketing Manager said:
"We were delighted to host the Local Heroes Scheme workshop, allowing us to be part of helping young athletes to realise their dream of reaching the Olympic Games".
"Lloyds TSB Scotland made full use of our recently upgraded audio-visual facilities and the feedback received from the organisers is testament to the outstanding facilities that we have at the centre."
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For enquiries:
Edinburgh Conference Centre |
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For further press information contact Johanna Johnstone, Kindred Agency on 0131 718 4068; |
