01 Jun 2026
The Scottish Growth Expo 2026, a high-energy day of insight, collaboration and commercial learning held this week has been hailed a major success after bringing together hundreds of founders, senior leaders and sales professionals at Barclays Hampden, Glasgow.
Organised by Sales Geek Scotland, whose mission is to make top‑level sales leadership, sales training and commercial strategy accessible to businesses of all sizes, the all-day event on Tuesday 26 May welcomed 350 attendees and 50 exhibitors.
A notable outcome of the day was the near 50/50 gender split among attendees, a reflection of the inclusive and progressive business community the event set out to foster.
The Expo featured keynote sessions from entrepreneur and investor Brian Williamson, Scottish Business Network Chair Russell Dalgliesh, broadcaster and motivational speaker Lorna Farrell, and workplace culture specialist Katy Morrison, each combining commercial insight, leadership thinking and personal perspective.
Alongside the keynote programme, attendees took part in practical sales training sessions, expert-led seminars and structured networking designed to generate meaningful commercial outcomes - a core objective of the Expo since its inception.
A key theme was the positivity, resilience and growth mindset of Scotland’s small and medium-sized enterprises (SME). Despite ongoing economic uncertainty, attendees evinced a strong sense of optimism, coupled with a willingness to collaborate and support one another.
Davie Sneddon, Co-Director of Sales Geek Scotland, said: “The level of engagement we saw on the day was exceptional. There was a genuine energy in the room, people weren’t just there to listen, they were there to connect, learn and take action.
“What stood out most was the openness across the community. Businesses are ready to collaborate and grow together, and events like this create the environment for that to happen.”
Co-Director Peter Barclay added: “What we saw at Hampden was a clear signal that Scotland’s SME business community has the ambition and resilience to grow, even in challenging conditions.
“There is a real appetite for connection, practical support and shared learning - exactly what the Scottish Growth Expo 2026 was designed to deliver.”
Beyond the immediate success of the event, organisers believe the Expo has opened up an important wider conversation around how Scotland can better support its SME community.
Discussions throughout the day highlighted a strong desire from businesses for greater stability, improved dialogue with policymakers, and more consistent support for growth.
Peter said: “The ambition is there. Businesses want to invest, scale and create opportunity - but they are also asking for a more joined-up approach from government and support organisations.
“There is a real opportunity to unlock further growth by listening more closely to SMEs and working alongside them.”
The event also reinforced Sales Geek Scotland’s mission to reposition sales as a positive, problem-solving discipline built on collaboration and honesty - and a critical skillset for long-term economic growth.
Supported by organisations including the Institute of Directors, Federation of Small Businesses, Glasgow Chamber of Commerce and Scottish Women in Business, the Expo demonstrated the strength of partnership across Scotland’s business support ecosystem.
Following the success of this year’s event, organisers are already exploring plans for future initiatives to continue building momentum across Scotland’s business community.
