Glasgow's Formula for Meetings Success
Following the reorganisation of Scottish tourism on April 1, the Convention Bureau of the former Greater Glasgow & Clyde Valley Tourist Board plays an integral role in the new Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
It will carry forward a range of national and international activity to ensure that the destination continues to climb up the premier league of world conference destinations.
The Convention Bureau will provide a free and impartial one-stop shop for conference organisers and event, exhibition and meeting planners. It is currently progressing bids worth £110 million and has confirmed conferences on its books until 2010 including the:
- 3,000-delegate, European Optical Communications in September 2005
- 2,000-delegate, British Cardiac Society in April 2006
- 1,800-delegate, International Symposium on Dental Hygiene in July 2010.
The convention bureau will operate a membership programme, which allows access to a unique range of benefits and exclusive opportunities designed to give subscribers a competitive edge. These include an enhanced presence on www.seeglasgow.com - the primary tool for conference organisers when planning their meeting in the area.
It will also manage and develop the Glasgow Conference Ambassador Programme, which has 2,000 participants drawn from the academic, medical, scientific and business sectors.
In 2004/2005 local Conference Ambassadors helped to secure an impressive 53 conferences for the city representing £23 million in local economic benefit or 39% of total convention sales for the year.
According to the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA), Glasgow has moved from number 34 in 2003 to number 18 in 2004 in their league table of the number of international delegates hosted. The net economic benefit of conference business secured through the Convention Bureau during 2004/2005 was £59 million.
Scott Taylor, chief executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said, "There has never been a better time to meet in Glasgow – thanks to the city’s conference infrastructure, can-do culture and ease of access.
“What really set the city apart however, are its unique image, team-spirit and proven ability to maximise conference delegate numbers. Choosing Glasgow really does equate to choosing profit.”
Ends July 2005
Further information from:
Moira Dyer, Senior Manager – Public Relations
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0831 or mobile: 07900 604 764
E-mail: moira.dyer@seeglasgow.com
Notes to editors
1. In addition to convention bureau activity, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau also has responsibility for the development and implementation of the city branding campaign: Glasgow: Scotland with style, Public Relations and development and optimisation of the website: www.seeglasgow.com
2. ICCA figures are compiled only from international meetings that are regular, rotate between at least three different countries, and attract at least 50 participants. ICCA estimates that the average international association delegate spends £189 (€ 285) per day.
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