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TRANSITION EXTREME SKATES INTO PARTNERSHIP WITH ABERDEN CONVENTION BUREAU

Social legacy opportunity for event organisers

Aberdeen Convention Bureau has signed a partnership agreement with leading city social enterprise Transition Extreme Sports Ltd, which uses urban and extreme sports to attract and positively engage local young people.

The two-fold partnership is initially for a year, with the potential to be extended into the future.

As a registered charity, Transition Extreme uses its public sports facilities, including a renowned 15 metre climbing wall, and skatepark for BMX bikes, skateboards and inline skating, to generate income which then funds its award-winning community work.

Aberdeen Convention Bureau is responsible for bringing business tourism into the North-east, and proactively promotes the area as an international conference destination.

The partnership will see the team at the Bureau promoting Transition Extreme as a venue for team-building activities, an unusual dinner or drinks reception or social activities as a way of relaxing after a day’s work.

The facility also has meeting rooms which can cater for training sessions, seminars, board meetings or networking events for up to 100 people.

Organisers are also being given the opportunity to ensure their event leaves a social legacy, either through a cash or in kind donation such as a charitable donation towards their essential youth work or surplus materials such as pens and notepads that can be used by the 70 schools and other groups who attend Transition Extreme.

Alesia du Plessis, Conference Support Manager at Aberdeen Convention Bureau, said it was keen to support a cause with a difference.

“We were attracted to Transition Extreme because of its innovative approach to social enterprise and ethos of helping disengaged young people to make a positive transition to adulthood.

“By supporting the centre we can provide alternative options for conference delegates while putting something back into the community through its social enterprise approach. We are also giving organisers of events in Aberdeen the opportunity to leave a social legacy by supporting this charity.

“The facilities at Transition Extreme are fantastic, from the climbing wall and skatepark to the band practice room and purpose built graffiti wall, and the existing meeting space and catering facilities means it’s ideal for small events.

“We look forward to working with Grahame and the team.”

Transition Extreme will work with event organisers to identify suitable projects and initiatives for them to support, such as outreach sports coaching or its Alternative Academy, a highly regarded 12-week educational programme developed in partnership with Robert Gordoin University aimed at young people at risk of becoming disengaged from traditional forms of education.

Grahame Paterson, Chief Executive at Transition Extreme, said: “We are extremely grateful to Aberdeen Convention Bureau and are excited about the possibilities this worthwhile partnership can bring.

“We saw a lot of obvious links between the work we do and the work the Bureau does to bring conference work to Aberdeen, such as the team building sessions we can offer and currently provide for more than 60 corporate clients, social programmes and the ability to host events from small meetings to large dinners.

“All the money generated from our income streams is ploughed back into our work with young people, helping them harness their energy and reach their full potential, whilst providing world-class facilities that support positive recreational activities. By doing so, we help reduce the risk of young people being involved in antisocial behaviour, crime and substance abuse and provide really healthy, socially inclusive, alternatives.

Situated near Aberdeen Beach, Transition Extreme opened in April 2007 and has seen more than 360,000 people come through its doors, including pupils from more than 70 schools and participants from 70 community groups from regeneration areas.

The team at Aberdeen Convention Bureau proactively promotes Aberdeen City and Shire to attract new conferences to the region, organising and hosting site inspection visits with invited conference organisers, to showcase the North-east’s best venues and facilities.

• For more information, call Aberdeen Convention Bureau on 01224 288815 or visit www.aberdeenconferences.com

• Grahame Paterson, Transition Extreme Sports Ltd, 01224 627942 or visit www.transition-extreme.com

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