Inspirational Scotland

Following the success of Homecoming Scotland 2009 when Scotland promoted its credentials in golf, whisky, innovation and Robert Burns to the rest of the world, the country’s focus for this year is a celebration of Scottish food and drink. And that’s because, more than anything, food and drink carries the country’s reputation around the world – which is a great reason for event organisers to add a focus on fresh Scottish produce to their planning agenda.
    
The Scots’ appetite for success doesn’t stop with our culinary delights. It extends to the business tourism sector where there is always something new and different on the menu. So by offering a blend of the finest venues, the most challenging team building activities, state of the art technologies, indigenous world-class expertise in a range of sectors, Scotland can really inspire a ‘taste for events’ at all levels.
    
As a flavour of things already in the pipeline there is a plethora of new hotels for Glasgow and Aberdeen; the much-vaunted Trump International Golf Resort; new exclusive use venues coming on stream; the new 14,000-seat arena planned at the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre in Glasgow; expansion of the Edinburgh International Conference Centre that will double existing capacity; refurbishment and upgrading of hotels such as Crieff Hydro in Perthshire, Glasgow’s Grand Central Hotel and the new School of Medicine at St Andrews University.

New developments
The infrastructure is in place to prove Scotland’s unrivalled reputation as one of the world’s top hosts for meetings, conferences and events. Recently completed developments include: Edinburgh First, the successful conferencing arm of Edinburgh University, launching its £9 million extension of the John McIntyre Conference Centre; the opening of the John Hope Gateway at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh; the superbly refurbished Doubletree by Hilton Dunblane with its own dedicated conference suite and business centre; and the beautiful and stunning Gosford House in East Lothian which has just thrown open its doors for an array of events.
    
Scotland boasts the credentials to raise the bar for any event however large or small. It’s a small country with a big personality and, increasingly, meetings and events buyers are spotting that there’s not just quality, but also excellent value for money to be gained by considering Scotland as a first-class destination. The country hosts on average 350 association conferences a year – almost one a day – which proves that the infrastructure is there to cope with large events.
    
Undoubtedly the strength of the Euro has a part to play in terms of giving Scotland the competitive edge. Businesses tightening their belts due to the credit crunch are coming to the realisation that in Scotland they don’t have to spend big to stage a successful and memorable event. Added to this, Scotland is more accessible than ever with five international airports offering direct flights including New York, Atlanta, Toronto, Calgary, Vancouver, Dubai, Stockholm, Berlin, Milan, Madrid, Munich and over 100 from London daily.
    
Equally, research from VisitBritain has highlighted that Edinburgh and Glasgow are both in the top three most price-competitive European destinations for professional association conferences. Add that to the fact that a recent customer satisfaction survey carried out by VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit (BTU) demonstrated 93 per cent of respondents reported that they were satisfied with their event held in Scotland – with a stunning 81 per cent going further to say they were very satisfied – and it is clear that this country is well placed to provide an excellent return on investment.
    
Despite the challenges of the adverse economic climate, the latest UK Tourism Survey (UKTS) statistics show that in 2009 Scotland performed well with an increase of 8.4 per cent in trips and 10.4 per cent increase in expenditure among people visiting the country on business. Edinburgh and Glasgow are second only to London in terms of international association conferences, and 29 per cent of all such events in the UK are hosted by Scotland – increased from 25 per cent in the previous year.

Valuable business tourism
In total, business tourism accounts for a contribution of £723 million to the Scottish economy, 18 per cent of the total tourism product. That is a valuable contribution, recognised by the entire tourism sector, which in itself is pledging many millions in investment to ensure that it continues.
    
As Catriona Anderson, marketing manager, associations, with VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit, says: “With first-class quality and choice of venues, plus a positive approach to constant re-development and investment, there is every reason to believe that Scotland will continue to take its rightful place at the top of the world’s conferencing market.”
    
The recipe for success lies in the quality of the ingredients used and, for anyone doing serious business, there is absolutely no doubt that Scotland takes its business tourism seriously.

First class cities
As Glasgow looks ahead to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, there is no shortage of investment in the city’s facilities. Just completed is the restoration of the historic RAC Club to create the five-star Blythswood Square. The hotel houses 100 guest rooms and suites, a superb spa and a glorious restaurant and cocktail bar located in the former ballroom. Among its conference facilities is a tiered theatre space with every seat sporting a different Harris Tweed covering. Other plans for Glasgow include a £120 million five-star Jumeirah hotel with 160 bedrooms and suites, 85 serviced apartments and extensive conference amenities and the complete transformation of the iconic Grand Central Hotel due for completion later this year. The hotel has entertained many famous guests but is perhaps best known as the venue from which the world’s first long-distance television pictures were transmitted in 1927 by one of Scotland’s most famous sons, John Logie Baird.
    
In the capital event organisers can source a range of facilities to suit every need. At the city’s largest conference hotel, the Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa, a multi-million pound refurbishment of all its bedrooms and suites is well underway, increasing the number of rooms to 268 as well as creating an opulent Grand Suite and exclusive ‘Club’ floor. Two new venues have recently been created – Ghillie Dhu, a Grade A Listed former church, and Dovecot Studios, previously a Victorian bath house. Both offer extensive meetings and event spaces in traditional settings with contemporary style.
    
The city’s flagship Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), which plays host to many of Europe’s world class meetings, is undertaking an £85 million overhaul which will create a banqueting area to cater for approximately 2,000 delegates as well as a 1,600-seater auditorium. And the latest purpose-built conference centre is the John McIntyre Conference Centre at Edinburgh University, which boosts existing facilities on the recently landscaped and pedestrianised campus. The newly extended building can host 350 delegates theatre-style, with four breakout rooms, two boardrooms, a flexible lounge area and an open air terrace with views of Edinburgh’s famous landmark, Arthur’s Seat. The venue’s ground floor also houses a stylish restaurant seating up to 650 and during vacation periods conference organisers have access to around 2,000 additional bedrooms.
    
The John Hope Gateway at the Royal Botanic Garden in Edinburgh is also one of the city’s most exciting new developments. The £15.7 million development, which has been designed according to principles of green construction and sustainability, provides a spectacular backdrop for any meeting, conference or private event from 40-400. For government bookings, The Royal Botanic Garden Edinburgh offers a 10 per cent reduction on room/venue hire rates (subject to availability).
 
Aberdeen
Further north, Aberdeen‘s reputation as a superb conference destination is underlined by the start of work on Donald Trump’s landmark golf development. The planned high profile £1billion golf resort, Trump International Golf Links, to the north of Europe’s Energy Capital, will comprise two golf courses, a 450-room 5-star hotel, a conference centre, 36 golf villas and 950 holiday homes. Ambitious plans are also going ahead at Blairs, south of Aberdeen, for a £115 million golf resort, with a hotel and conference centre and championship course designed by former Open champion Paul Lawrie. Norwood Hall Hotel has opened a £3.5 million stand-alone conference centre within its grounds and new hotels for Malmaison, Jury’s Inn and Bauhaus are also in the pipeline.
    
Elsewhere, Doubletree by Hilton in Dunblane has unveiled a luxurious new look that includes a stunning new restaurant, the Kailyard by celebrity chef Nick Nairn. The hotel features 200 beautiful bedrooms and suites, a superb range of meeting options including event space, syndicate rooms and a dedicated conference centre catering for up to 200 delegates.
    
Crieff Hydro in Perthshire is also investing in its facilities and a current development programme includes expansion of the reception area into a relaxed open space in which to meet informally, and the introduction of eight new signature bedrooms and two new apartments. The hotel boasts 12 flexible function spaces accommodating up to 500 delegates at its largest.
    
One of the highest profile developments in Tayside is the new School of Medicine at St Andrews University. Scheduled to open this summer in advance of the University’s 600th anniversary celebrations, the new facility will comprise a large auditorium with capacity for up to 300 people, a large flat floored exhibition area and two further meeting rooms to accommodate up to 50 people each, plus 12 smaller break-out rooms. With such versatility, it is hardly surprising that the University is already attracting interest from conference organisers looking for a world class Scottish destination.

The Highlands
In the Highlands, the Dairy at Daviot is a venue with a difference – a converted 19th century farm steading with flexible spaces full of charm and character, which can accommodate up to 170 for events. For exclusive use, Aldourie Castle and Estate offers the perfect location for corporate away-days. Lovingly restored to its Victorian heyday when it was home to an influential Highland laird, the Castle features sumptuous public rooms, 14 lavish bedrooms and three cottages all set in a tranquil 500-acre estate.
    
And finally, the newest exclusive use venue to come on the market is Gosford House in East Lothian, which has opened for the first time in its 200-year history. The family seat of the Earl of Wemyss & March, this stunning house with its breathtaking marble hall and staircase, sits at the heart of a 5,500-acre coastal and agricultural estate, which includes the award-winning Craigielaw golf course and clubhouse. The house can host up to 800 guests for a drinks reception, with unlimited capacity for marquee-based events in the grounds. Only 20 minutes east of Edinburgh, this is an inspiring and unique location that will provide an outstanding backdrop for any event.

For more information
Web: www.conventionscotland.com