Back in 2010 Glasgow hit an all-time high of £130m within the business conference sector, making the city one of the top European destinations for conferencing. Last year marketing bosses from the Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) predicted a bumper year in 2012 for conference sales, having already beaten the £120m total revenue from 2011 in the first eight months of the financial year.

“Between April and November, GCMB confirmed 347 new international and UK conventions through to 2020.”

“Major conferences booked by GCMB this year include the European Association of International Education in 2015, the Congress of the International Society of Haematology in 2016 and the World Biomaterials Congress in 2020.”

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-scotland-scotland-business-20696882

Such glowing forecasts of 60% growth were a result of Glasgow thrashing the competition both nationally and internationally.

Labour leader of Glasgow City Council and chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau Gordon Matheson was immensely proud of their achievements.

“To have exceeded our total sales for last year with a quarter of the financial year remaining and at a time when competition in the global marketplace is incredibly fierce, is a clear endorsement of the confidence that the meetings industry continues to have in Glasgow.

“It further strengthens the city’s reputation as one of the world’s premier business tourism destinations.”

Director of sales at the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC), Ben Goedegebuure had further endorsements, “Glasgow is continuing its emergence as one of Europe’s key meetings and events destinations, and this is reflected in our growing success in this market.

“Meetings and events matter to Glasgow – they ignite our local economy, create repeat visitors to our city and underline Glasgow’s role as a hub of information sharing, specialist knowledge and expertise, and business excellence.”

http://conventions.seeglasgow.com/conference-newsletter/conference-news/