Listen as M&IT editor Paul Harvey catches up with Neil Brownlee, head of business events at Visit Scotland, about what sporting and business events can learn from one another.
With Glasgow and Scotland currently hosting the UCI Cycling World Championships and with Glasgow having been named the European Capital of Sport, the first city to
hold the accolade twice, Brownlee let us in on what all this sport means for the city, for Scotland as a whole, and
specifically for business events.
He said: "Business events are catalysts for economic and social
progress. Every single business event by definition has a policy connection,
and I think sporting events can also align to the UN SDGs, which they've been
doing in Scotland with our help. I'm not too modest to say that our sporting
and cultural colleagues have picked up on our work and business events and said
‘we need to align’.
"We don't just want the bums on beds. We don't just want the
coffees and breakfasts being counted. What is the purpose of holding this event
in Scotland and thus securing government funding?
"I would like to remind people; take your policy credentials, take your sectoral
credentials, but absolutely milk and use any natural or cultural icons that you
have because they do work and they do matter."
NB: In the podcast Brownlee refers to "yellow jerseys" in relation to the UCI Cycling World Championships when in fact he meant to say "rainbow jerseys".
M&IT editor Paul Harvey is a journalist with more than 15 years of experience. He began his career in the local press, working for various titles across the north. Since joining M&IT in 2013, he has become a trusted and respected voice in the sector, championing event professionals and reporting on all aspects of the events industry for the brand.
