Edinburgh, 21 November 2025
EICC and IPVS Wins Best Business Event Title at Scottish Thistle Awards for the Second Consecutive Year
The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) has won the Best Business Event Award at the Visit Scotland Scottish Thistle Awards, marking the second consecutive year the EICC has taken home the title in partnership with one of our fantastic clients.
This year’s award recognises the International Papillomavirus Conference (IPVC) 2024, delivered by the International Papillomavirus Society (IPVS) and Kenes Group, with support from EICC and a multidisciplinary local committee. The conference welcomed thousands of delegates to Edinburgh and played a central role in advancing global HPV research and education.
Beyond the scientific programme, IPVC 2024 generated a significant legacy across Scotland. The initiative included outreach in schools and universities, public awareness activity, and community-focused programmes designed to strengthen HPV education and prevention for years to come. More detail on the conference and its legacy can be found on our Ideas Hub here: https://www.eicc.co.uk/ideas-hub/pioneering-prevention-how-the-ipvs-conference-is-creating-a-lasting-legacy-in-global-public-health/
Gayle McGuinn, Head of Association Sales at EICC said; “We believe that every conference has the potential to make a lasting impact and with the International Papillomavirus Conference coming to Edinburgh, the IPVS team and the EICC saw an opportunity - not just to host a conference, but to tackle a real public health challenge among groups where awareness was lowest, and the potential for change was greatest. We are delighted that this collaboration between healthcare professionals and communities has been recognised by our industry.”
The Thistle judges were impressed not just by the conference’s positive impact on Edinburgh’s economy but also by its social impact on the country as a whole. They commended a citywide campaign on HPV awareness that brought real benefits to the health of citizens across Scotland, noting that in one school an uptake of the vaccine jumped from 42% to 60% following the campaign. It was proof of an immediate win for the campaign and of the lasting impact the gathering will have on Scotland.
This second consecutive win highlights the scale and impact of the conferences choosing Edinburgh and the standard of delivery achieved by the teams involved.
Adding to the occasion, one of the other finalists for Best Business Event – the IEC General Meeting 2024, organised by BSI Group – was also hosted at the EICC, further reflecting the strength and ambition of the events delivered in the venue over the past year.
This year’s Scottish Thistle Awards National Final took place in Glasgow on Thursday 20th November. The annual awards ceremony is delivered by Visit Scotland to celebrate the best of the tourism and events industry.