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44 . Glasgow Business October 2014
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The run-up to Christmas is an especially busy time for companies to entertain clients. “The festive season is definitely party season, and it’s on its way, so there’s no time to waste in planning a celebration with your company and clients,” says Jeanette Ward, Director of Sales at the Thistle Glasgow Hotel.
“We can help to organise picture perfect Christmas parties for any company. You can even make a weekend of it and treat your guests to an overnight stay, giving them the chance to have a cooked breakfast, a lazy morning and the use of the hotel’s leisure facilities. We can cater for every option at the Thistle Glasgow.” Corporate hospitality can take place at any time of the year, of course, and there are many options for firms to engage in events throughout the calendar. Here are some suggestions suitable for any season throughout 2015...
Celtic Connections, 15 January to 1 February
Celtic Connections is a great winter festival, taking place over 18 days in venues around Glasgow. There’s something for everyone, with music and artists appearing from around the globe. With about 300 events in a variety of genres, there are
countless opportunities for corporate hospitality on any scale.
Glasgow Film Festival, 18 February to 1 March
The 11th Glasgow Film Festival and Youth Film Festival takes place with screenings in venues across the city, and includes special events such as pop-up cinema screenings in unique Glasgow venues.
Glasgow International Comedy Festival, 12 to 29 March
The Glasgow International Comedy Festival is the largest event of its kind in Europe, and has become a
renowned annual event in Glasgow’s cultural calendar, with over 400 shows to choose from. Some big name stars already confirmed to perform include Dylan Moran and
Stewart Lee, who will both appear at the Clyde Auditorium.
Scottish Grand National Festival, 17 to 18 April
Everyone loves a day at the races, and the two-day Scottish Grand National meeting is the biggest and best festival of national hunt racing in Scotland. The facilities at
Ayr racecourse include the recently refurbished and renamed Rothesay Stand, which was unveiled by the Duke and Duchess of Rothesay in 2012.
World Whisky Day, 16 May This annual celebration of our national drink sees events taking
place all over the world, with options for everyone, and Glasgow is no exception. The event is all about making whisky fun and enjoyable
to all, not about being exclusive, so it doesn’t matter if your clients are
connoisseurs or fancy trying a new whisky-based cocktail – there are options for everyone.
West End Festival
Every year in June, Glasgow’s West End bursts into life with the city’s largest cultural event, which will celebrate its 20th anniversary in 2015. More than 100 Glasgow-based organisations, arts groups and local and international artists deliver a mixture of activities and projects, overseen by a small festival team.
The Open Championship, St Andrews, 13 to 19 July Golf and business go hand in hand, so what better incentive to organise a corporate event than to time it with the Open’s return to Scotland in 2015? Even if you don’t get a chance to play on the famous Old Course, there are various options for treating your customers to a day out on the links, or even at a driving range.
Edinburgh Festival Fringe, 7 to 31 August
There is so much to choose from in Edinburgh during August that
your only problem will be whittling it down to find an event that suits
your corporate occasion. And it’s not only the Fringe which is in town –
there is the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo, the International Festival, the International Book Festival and the Edinburgh Mela.
Waverley Cruise
Waverley is the world’s last sea- going paddle steamer, built on the Clyde in 1947 and still going strong. The ship can be hired for a corporate cruise for a full day, afternoon or evening’s entertainment and a hospitality experience with a difference.
2015 has been designated as the
Year of Food and Drink in Scotland, so there are going to be food-related events going on every month which could make for a corporate hospitality experience. At the SECC from 17-19 October, for example, the BBC Good Food Show takes
place, or take a course at a cooking school such as the Tennent’s Training Academy.
National Spa Week, 2 to 6 November
This annual event organised and run by the UK Spa Association
could be all the incentive you need to treat important clients to a day
of pampering and indulgence, with a range of spas to choose from in and around Glasgow.
Anytime
The end of the year is the chance for every workplace to have a night out, but how about trying something a bit different and treating your clients to a night at a traditional Glasgow pantomime? You can combine a meal with a night at one of the
many theatres putting on a special Christmas show.
TIPS FOR A TOP DAY OUT Understand your goals
Before selecting an event, or even deciding who to invite, the objectives should be clear. Tey may include an increase in sales or motivation, increasing brand awareness, securing new custom or encouraging prospects, encouraging existing customers, or simply saying thank you to loyal customers.
Pick the right event Te occasion you choose should have
Keep it official
If you are using any hospitality provider to organise your day out, make sure they are official suppliers with the necessary accreditation.
Double check the diary
Make sure whatever date you choose doesn’t clash with any other big events or conferences that might
Details matter
Make sure you take into account every litle detail that could affect the
enough impact that it sticks in the minds of those who atend.
already have your client’s atention. Also, at certain times of the year, such as December, your clients are likely to have many other events in the diary.
Create a buzz
Tink about how your invitation can cause interest and excitement. But be sure to give your clients plenty of notice ahead of the event, to make sure they can clear their calendars.
success of the event, from tickets to transport to food and drink and the facilities which are available. A back-up plan is always a good idea.
Follow up
Make sure you get feedback from your clients aſter the event, either formally or informally, to gauge the success of the occasion.
Avoid routine
Even if your last event was a success, go for some variety to keep your clients engaged and interested.
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