A Scotland Means Business workshop, an exhibition in Frankfurt and a BusinessFirst event in New York have all seen VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit (BTU) in action recently.
Scotland Means Business
SMB April 2008 – work and play at DeVere Cameron House
Another Spring and another Scotland Means Business Workshop took place on the banks of Loch Lomond. 47 buyers from established and emerging markets such as Russia and India joined our 44 industry partners to find out why Scotland is the destination of choice for their MICE events (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Events). A record total of 484 meetings took place, giving our industry partners quality face-to-face time with potential buyers.
The gala event was held at Stirling Castle where a falconry show started the evening in the court yard followed by a banquet dinner in the magnificent Great Hall. The evening drew to an end with a closing speech by VisitScotland's Chief Executive Philip Riddle, but no Scottish gala evening is complete without a Beating of the Retreat.
This was without doubt an unforgettable experience for our guests and finished the evening off in true Scottish style.
Why not join us at Gleneagles on 5th & 6th November and have a chance to meet some more buyers from all across the globe? For more information on Scotland Means Business or to register your interest please contact Victoria Napier on 0131 472 2360 or victoria.napier@visitscotland.com
IMEX 2008
The Business Tourism Unit recently returned from the sixth IMEX exhibition in Frankfurt. Accompanied by 11 partners including convention bureaux, venues, hotels and Destination Management Companies (DMCs), the Scotland stand attracted a steady flow of buyers and MICE press throughout the three-day show.
Highlights included the ever-popular whisky tasting and cocktail reception on the stand and also a Britain / Ireland dinner held on the first evening. Amanda Henderson from the BTU worked with VisitBritain, Failte Ireland, VisitLondon and VisitWales to host an evening of British and Irish cuisine, and entertainment for over 70 MICE buyers and industry partners at IMEX.
Scotland Week
As part of the Scotland Week celebrations that took place in New York, the BTU teamed up with Scottish Development International (SDI), Continental Airlines, and Glenfiddich to hold a BusinessFirst Event.
The Event took place at The University Club just off 5th Avenue on the 3rd of April and was a great opportunity to both showcase Scotland and for networking. Guests included meeting and incentive planners, journalists, members of Continental’s BusinessFirst Club, corporations with an interest in Scotland, as well as Scottish hotels and venues.
The evening commenced with a tasting session and mini Master classes sponsored by Glenfiddich, followed by poetry by our very own Bard – Robert Burns. Speeches were given by Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond, and by Continental Airlines. The evening came to a close with a fashion show produced by 21st Century Kilts.
The evening was a great success with just under 200 people attending the event. The great atmosphere on the night will hopefully be remembered by all and lead to them bringing business to Scotland in the future.
