ICCA Congress 2020 at EICC to boost local economy by £2 million

Edinburgh has won its bid to host the biennial International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) Congress 2020 in the city at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) in what is estimated to be a £2 million boost to the local economy that will see over 1,200 delegates in attendance.  

Beating off competition from Copenhagen, Stockholm, Vienna, St Petersburg, Vancouver and Mexico City, the bid process was led by a partnership comprising the Scottish Arbitration Centre, the EICC, Convention Edinburgh, Conference Partners and VisitScotland and supported by a high profile team including the UK Prime Minister, Scotland’s First Minister and representatives of the national and international arbitration and legal communities.

The ICCA’s 2020 Congress, which is supported by VisitScotland’s Conference Bid Fund, is the world’s largest conference devoted to international arbitration. The ICCA is a worldwide non-governmental organisation devoted to promoting the use and improving the processes of arbitration and other forms of international commercial dispute resolution. Its activities include convening international arbitration congresses and conferences, sponsoring authoritative dispute resolution publications, and promoting the harmonisation of arbitration and conciliation rules, laws and practices.  

ICCA President, Donald Donovan, said: “We are delighted to be going to Edinburgh in 2020, and congratulate the bid committee on having prevailed in the face of stiff competition from a strong field of bidders. After recent ICCA Congresses held in Rio, Singapore and Miami, this year's event in Mauritius, and a 2018 Congress scheduled for Sydney, ICCA looks forward to bringing the Congress to Europe in 2020. We're confident that ICCA Edinburgh will provide a spectacular platform from which to pursue ICCA's mission to address the toughest issues facing international commercial and investment arbitration."

Marshall Dallas, the EICC's Chief Executive, said: "We are thrilled that Edinburgh and the EICC have been chosen to host this prestigious international conference in the face of significant global competition. It is a testament to the hard work from the team and our supporters - overall it is great news for the city and the economy. It seems fitting that the ICCA Congress is being held in a city and nation renowned worldwide for its proud and progressive legal tradition.”  

Lesley Williams, Head of Business Tourism at Convention Edinburgh said: “The successful bid to bring ICCA 2020 to Edinburgh is a testament to the solid collaboration between all parties involved with the project. Not only will this high profile conference bring around 1,200 delegates and generate almost £2 million for the local economy, it will play a crucial role in raising Edinburgh and Scotland’s global reputation in international arbitration.” 

Nicola McGrane, Managing Director at Conference Partners said: “We are delighted with that the International Council for Commercial Arbitration (ICCA) has chosen Edinburgh to host their 2020 Congress. The partnership working with the bid partners throughout the bid process was crucial to the success of bringing ICCA 2020 to Edinburgh. We believe this team approach has been reflected in our success and highlights the warm welcome delegates will experience in Edinburgh in 2020.”