Following hot on the heels of Glasgow’s best ever year for hosting international conferences (ICCA Statistics 2022), 2023 promises to be just as successful, as the city prepares to welcome back almost 13,000 delegates to the city as part of a series of conferences that are returning to the city.
Glasgow’s conference market has bounced back post Covid, with the recently announced ICCA Statistics positioning Glasgow number one in Scotland for the number of international meetings in 2022, second in the UK after London, and 22nd in Europe, above major cities such as Geneva, Munich, Hamburg and Manchester.
A busy period from June to October sees the city welcome back four flagship European conferences, all of which previously held their meetings in Glasgow.
On 10 June, Glasgow welcomes back the European Society of Human Genetics (ESHG). Jerome Del Picchia, ESHG executive officer said: “Organising a conference in Glasgow at the Scottish Event Campus now for the second time, has been a pleasure.”
He added: The city has obviously arrived in the circle of those venues that understand the economic value and the importance of international conferences and do their best to provide the level of support an international organiser is looking for.”
Following the ESHG conference, Glasgow prepares to welcome back the Association for Medical Education in Europe (AMEE); the SPIE Europe Space, Satellite and Sustainability Conference and the European Conference on Optical Communications (ECOC). Between them these European meetings will deliver over £23m (US$28.7m) in economic benefit to the city.
Simon Blows, event logistics and development manager at the Institute of Engineering Technology, organisers of ECOC 2023 said: “The Glasgow Convention Bureau is a friendly, highly experienced team that offers excellent support to conference organisers. At the IET we repeatedly go back to them as we appreciate the high level of service we receive.”
Aileen Crawford, head of Glasgow Convention Bureau said: “The city’s ability to welcome back these prestigious European conferences is testament to the Team Glasgow approach in supporting our clients in the successful delivery of their meeting, whilst also giving delegates a memorable experience as guests in our city. Looking forward, confidence remains strong, with over £214m of confirmed conference business in the diary up to 2027.”
Kathleen Warden, Director of Sales at the Scottish Event Campus said: “We’re delighted welcome the return of these meetings to the SEC and Glasgow, it’s an endorsement of our commitment and ability to deliver for our international and European conference organisers. These meetings matter for the progression of science and knowledge across critical fields. Having them take place in our venue and city once again, is a real privilege.”
In the 2022/23 financial year, Glasgow won 255 new international and UK conferences through to 2027 worth £107m. Glasgow Convention Bureau is the city’s primary point of contact for conference organisers, working with partners on more than 100 bids for major UK and international conferences each year.
