The Aberdeen City Council has named SMG to manage the existing Aberdeen (Scotland) Exhibition and Conference Centre (AECC) ahead of a move to its newly built home near Aberdeen International Airport in 2019. The partnership follows last year’s announcement that SMG was awarded preferred bidder status to manage, operate and program the new $416 million complex.
The new state-of-the art venue will include a 12,500 seat arena with a moveable stage, hospitality boxes and club lounge, 538,000 
square feet of flexible exhibition space, conference center, three hotels and its very own energy center.
“SMG is exceedingly pleased to have been named to manage this prestigious facility,” said SMG President and CEO Wes Westley. “It is a terrific addition to our growing network of international facilities. We look forward to working with the council and the community for the success of these facilities.”
“SMG’s expertise in driving multi-purpose exhibition, conference and entertainment content is second to none and we’re delighted to bring this portfolio of experience, international industry contacts and innovative thinking to both the existing and new AECC,” added John Sharkey, SMG executive vice president of European Operations.
The new AECC is forecast to generate 600 new jobs during the construction period, contribute an additional 4.5 million
visitors, $142 million in new visitor revenue which has a $78 million net impact to the Scottish economy by 2025 and is
the key element of Aberdeen City Council’s $1.25 billion transformational infrastructure and culture plans to grow the
Granite City economy.
