The New dmo VisitScotland

The link to one of the world’s most inspiring and intriguing destinations

Accolades aplenty In 2012, the annual M&IT Industry Awards named the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre the best convention center in the U.K. for the third time, and in 2014 Scotland will host two major international sporting events — The XX Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.

AT A GLANCE VisitScotland services • Marketing tools include films and images, professional conference and event organizers, assistance with sourcing DMCs, transportation, catering and production companies, and choosing activity providers for corporate team-building and incentive activities.

Convention facilities • The Edinburgh International Conference Centre, Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre, Aberdeen Exhibition & Conference Centre, and many more

Ideal incentives From Northern Scotland’s epic expanses of unspoiled nature to Central Scotland’s thriving economic centers of Edinburgh and Glasgow, and Southern Scotland’s plethora of scenic sporting activities, every part of the country offers a uniquely rewarding experience.

There’s no denying that the world is buzz- ing about Scotland right now. While movies like “Skyfall” and “Brave” are pushing the destination into the mainstream spotlight, accolades and awards commending its busi- ness-tourism initiatives are making Scotland one of the most in-demand destinations for meetings, conventions, and incentive events. With cosmopolitan cities filled with centu- ries of history and state-of-the-art convention facilities, along with endless postcard-perfect landscapes to escape into, it’s no wonder why Scotland hosts 29 percent of all international association meetings held in the U.K. VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit

(BTU) serves as both the start and the end point for planners bringing their meetings,

104 PCMA CONVENE APRIL 2013

conventions, and events to Scotland. With ofices in Germany, France, and New York, and established relationships with city bureaus throughout Scotland, the BTU offers planners a well-connected network of local experts and a wide range of complimentary support services. Offering everything from assistance with sourcing suppliers to a team of profes- sional conference organizers who can moni- tor every detail, VisitScotland’s BTU serves as a planner’s encyclopedia of expertise. Meeting attendees visiting Scotland on

business have plenty of reasons to stay for leisure, and a new initiative by VisitScotland’s BTU seeks to make this transition seamless and easy. “From a holistic tourism point of view, business extension is one of our big-

Transportation • Scotland’s three main airports in Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen serve 19.8 million total passengers annually.

gest opportunities as a destination,” said Neil Brownlee, head of the BTU. “We have an outstanding business-tourism product and are delivering new events and delegations to Scotland from around the world. If we can get them to come to Scotland pre- and post- conference, not only are we enriching their stay in Scotland, we’re also supporting our partners around Scotland in the hospitality industry.”

For more information: VisitScotland — +44 (0) 131 472 2355; businesstourism@VisitScotland.com; conventionscotland.com/us

PCMA.ORG