Glasgow Business . 37 www.glasgowchamberofcommerce.com


A GOLDEN OPPORTUNITY


Glasgow is looking forward to a ‘Klondike’ period for conferences and exhibitions G


lasgow is entering a gold rush period in the world of conferences and exhibitions, with the next two years set to see a period of unprecedented


activity. Tat’s according to Scot Taylor, Chief Executive of the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB), the official destination marketing organisation for the city. Last year, the GCMB, along with the


Scotish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC) and its city partners, secured conventions business worth £153 million – almost £3m of new business per week – representing a 27.5 per cent year-on-year growth. “Tat’s more than the value of all of


Scotland’s other cities added together,” says Scot. “We’re second in the UK in terms of volume and value of


conferences, and we’re continuing to see double digit growth this year. We’re in exciting times for Glasgow, with the next two years looking really strong – you could say it’s going to be the Klondike period for conferences in this city.” A key factor in the city’s growth in the


conference and exhibition sector will be the unveiling of the new Hydro arena this year. Set for completion in September, the entertainment venue has the potential to inject an additional £13m a year into the local economy. And with its position on the site of the SECC, the complex will also boost international conference business. “With the addition of the Hydro


Neil Brownlee


arena, Glasgow’s conference landscape is set to change significantly and will enhance both the city and


Conference business by numbers


» £1 billion: value of business tourism secured by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau since its inception in 2005 » 800,000: number of conference delegates who have spent time in Glasgow since 2005 » 7,000: delegates taking part in the Liberal Democrats’ annual Autumn Party Conference at the SECC this September » 2,200: domestic and international conferences brought to the city in partnership


with the SECC over the past eight years » 40: percentage of conferences in Glasgow that are international » 18: conferences confirmed through VisitScotland’s £2m conference bid fund, aimed at putting together the best possible bids to attract high-yield conventions » 7: consecutive years that the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau has been named the UK’s best convention bureau


Scotland’s position on the global meetings and events map,” says Neil Brownlee, Head of VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit. “People may not realise it, but the Hydro


arena has the potential to be the fiſth busiest entertainment arena in the world, taking its place alongside iconic venues such as Madison Square Gardens in New York and London’s 02 arena.” Te Hydro is not the only big investment


currently happening in Glasgow, of course, with new conference and incentive venues popping up around the city as it prepares to host the Commonwealth Games next year. Neil sees the event as a unique opportunity


for Glasgow to showcase itself both to its thousands of visitors, and the millions of international viewers alike: “Because of these Games, Glasgow will have new state-of-the-art multi-purpose venues, which will allow us to work collaboratively to secure high-calibre business events against competition from around the world in the years to come,” he says. “Te Commonwealth Games will also


showcase the city’s tourism icons, our prowess in hosting world-class events and our renowned Scotish hospitality. Tey will also help boost Scotland’s business tourism product, which is currently worth £900m to the economy annually. “Looking at past Games, one million visitors


came to Manchester 2002, and over the 10 days of competition, this generated £18m of net expenditure. Replicating that kind of success, the rewards and benefit from the Games will create a legacy for the visitor economy, as well as the


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