A very successful Southern Showcase was organised by our Business Tourism Manager recently at the George Hotel in Edinburgh with 19 South of Scotland businesses participating in the event.

78 buyers attended the showcase which allows them the opportunity to see what the South of Scotland has to offer the Business Tourism Market.  Both buyer and local business feedback has been very positive.

Buyers comments included: 

•  ‘It was a great event for networking and meeting new contacts’
• ‘Saves time going from venue to venue by having them all under one roof’
• ‘These events are extremely worthwhile as you get to meet the reps from each venue face to face’
• ‘Was pleasantly impressed at the quality of venues in existence... Could wean organisation away from thinking mainly of Edinburgh and Glasgow as obvious areas’
• ‘The whole event was slick and upbeat and the exhibitors were enthusiastic and informative’

Local business comments included:

All the local businesses who completed a survey on the event believed it was either a good or excellent way to make useful contacts and, in fact, there were over 80 leads for events to be held in the South of Scotland with the total value of potential leads being nearly £130,000. All local businesses said they would participate in a similar event in the future. 

• 'Some really excellent contacts there, from a good breadth of sectors'
• 'Picked up many new prospects and had a busy few hours'
• 'Good quality leads - here's hoping the event was value for money and buyers were interested in Dumfries as a location'
• 'A great chance to sit with potential buyers at length in a relaxed and comfortable environment. The leads I received were quality ones.' 
• 'Very good, would do again (Number and value of leads difficult to assess as most were doing multiple visits)'
• 'I was surprised with the amount of quality interest at the showcase it was very productive day for me. The event management was most professional. A good experience!'

For further information please contact Caroline Smith, Business Tourism Manager (South) on Caroline.Smith@visitscotland.com