VisitScotland Business Events has
revealed the programme for its annual industry conference, Journey: The Business Events Conversation, taking place on Wednesday 6 December
at the John McIntyre Conference Centre, The University of Edinburgh.
The one-day event will connect
leaders from the global business events industry with partners and
representatives from across Scotland's key sectors and venues and explore how
business events can serve as a catalyst for socio-economic change, which will
be demonstrated with real-world examples.
For the opening keynote, IMEX
Group’s director of impact & industry relations, Natasha Richards, will
join VisitScotland’s head of business events, Neil Brownlee, to discuss the
dynamic future of the business events sector and explore the anticipated
evolution of destinations and the pivotal role the sector should collectively
play in maximising interactions and enhancing outcomes of events.
Anna Abdelnoor, CEO & founder
of isla, will lead a session focused on transitioning to a sustainable future
and will discuss the sustainability vision for the industry. The session will
focus on direct action, measurable targets, education and standardisation of
the sector, to accelerate and capitalise on global momentum and transform to a
sustainable global society.
Delegates will also hear from
VisitScotland’s director of marketing & digital, Vicki Miller, who will
join Neil Brownlee to discuss the role of business events in the wider vision
for the country’s national tourism organisation. The session will emphasise the
pivotal role that business events play in achieving success and delve into the
impact of tourism on Scottish communities and how business events serve as a
critical tool to project Scotland onto the global stage.
Further sessions will focus on
transformation, positive impact with key figures from Scottish venues,
charities and national organisations. The event will be concluded with a drinks
reception sponsored by SITE Scotland.
Neil Brownlee said: “Events such as Journey: The Business Events
Conversation are crucial to gaining knowledge from those on the front-line and
advancing conversations into clear actions to drive forward change. It is also
an opportunity for our Scottish partners to hear about the great work
undertaken from organisations closer to home and how they can support and get
involved with helping our local communities. I am looking forward to hearing
from our speakers and to the ideas and conversations that are born from this
event.”
To find out more about the event and for the full agenda visit: https://businessevents.visitscotland.com/about-us/journey-the-business-events-conversation/
