Glasgow joins world elite for conferences
Published by Anne Marie Hughes on Sat 09 Jun 12 @ 22:10
Glasgow has powered its way up the world league table for hosting delegates at international conferences. A report by the International Congress and Convention Association (ICCA) shows the city secured more than £155 million in conference sales in the financial year ending in March, equating to 509,240 delegate days. Glasgow emerged 29th in the world, with London the only UK city ahead, two places in front. Edinburgh was nine places behind at 38th. No other British city made the top 100.
Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: "Glasgow has invested wisely in infrastructure projects that support business tourism."
Aileen Crawford, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau's Head of Conventions, said: "The fact that many of our competitor cities have dropped down the ICCA rankings while Glasgow has moved up to join the top 30 in the world is testament to how hard the city has worked to maximise its shares of international association business."
Ben Goedegebuure, Director of Sales at the Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre, said: "As a destination we're set up to help organisers boost attendance by tapping into the resources and connections we have throughout the city. It is this unique collaboration with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and our city partners, combined with the first rate facilities here at the SECC that has brought these large scale events to the city and puts the SECC and Glasgow on the map as a leading international events destination."
Article by Gerry Braiden, The Herald (1 July)
