CONVENTION BUREAUInvest in gold for a safe return

WWW.SEEGLASGOW.COM

BUSINESS FIRST

Conferences and events are vital to Glasgow. They not only generate millions of pounds for our economy, but they have helped establish Glasgow’s reputation as one of the most vibrant cultural and business destinations in Europe.

From hotels to restaurants, venues to shops, and taxis to tour operators, businesses of all sizes right across the city and beyond are benefitting from these growing sectors.

I am delighted so many Glasgow businesses are embracing these opportunities. But if companies want to be in pole position to take advantage of this, it is essential they join the Convention Bureau run by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB).

More than 250 businesses are members of the Convention Bureau, and these are the companies whose services we showcase to conference and events organisers from the UK and overseas when they come to us looking to find a local supplier.

The opportunities really are tremendous. In 2007/08, conference sales through the Convention Bureau were £151 million – with delegates spending 543,000 days in Glasgow. In the same period, events attracted 435,000 attendances, generating £16 million of local economic benefit.

The vast majority of conferences in Glasgow are booked through the Convention Bureau. When meeting planners look for local suppliers, the Convention Bureau is a one-stop shop, providing information about our member businesses.

Our regular Convention Bureau newsletter ensures member companies have valuable market intelligence about conferences coming to the city.

The services the Convention Bureau offer to companies are a great example of the Team Glasgow approach – the public sector working in close partnership with business to ensure the private sector takes full advantage of local economic opportunities.

Don’t miss out on your chance to be a part of the Team Glasgow success story and join the Convention Bureau today.

Councillor Steven Purcell, Leader of Glasgow City Council & Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

GLASGOW CITY CHAMBERS

1

CONVENTION BUREAU MEMBERSHIpGlasgow City Marketing Bureau is the Destination Marketing Organisation (DMO) for Metropolitan Glasgow, and is an arms length company of Glasgow City Council.

Over 250 local and national businesses are members of the Convention Bureau. The membership is diverse from hotels and restaurants to shops and venues, reflecting wide appreciation of the benefits of discretionary business tourism.

The Convention Bureau is constantly preparing bids, producing brochures, updating websites, networking at home and abroad, attending industry events and marketing forums, supporting and driving business to its members.

A significant number of conference leads come from the Conference Ambassador programme which is managed by the Convention Bureau providing support services for key conference decision makers.

Ambassador-led conferences generated £44m worth of conference business for Metropolitan Glasgow in 2007-2008.

Hotel members of the Convention Bureau benefit from receiving accommodation bookings from our in-house Accommodation Booking Service. Booking £2 million of bedroom sales, this in-house service also blocks thousands of room nights on behalf of conference and event companies.

GCMB produces the Conference, Meetings & Events Diary which contains details of every conference and event that will have an impact on business. Members plan their business yield and sales activity from this diary which is exclusive to members.

Your Membership supports GCMB’s marketing efforts and extends your marketing reach to directly touch leisure travellers, corporate planners, incentive professionals and travel media.

Join GCMB’s network - the communication hub that keeps you in touch with Glasgow’s number one industry. Through your support, we are able to keep your business, and the city growing.

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

EvA REhSE, CIvICUS SCOttISh COUnCIL Of vOLUntARy ORGAnISAtIOnS WORLD ASSEMBLy, 2008

“Without the assistance of the Convention Bureau, we would not have been able to organise three successful World Assemblies in Glasgow. The staff at the Convention Bureau supported us professionally and patiently in undertaking this series of conferences. We have had overwhelmingly positive feedback from our delegates - they loved the city, the conference experience and were happy to return each year.”

2 3

WHAT’S IN IT FOR YOU

WIM AALBERS, EUROPEAn fEDERAtIOn Of thE COntACt LEnS InDUStRy, 2008

“Glasgow was not our first choice for our annual congress in 2008, until we met the people from the Convention Bureau. The enthusiasm they showed and the far reaching service they offered made us decide to hold our event in Glasgow and that was a good choice.

During the time we prepared the event, the bureau was able to assist us with many different items. We have experience of almost 20 years in organising events all over Europe, but the service provided by the Glasgow Convention Bureau was absolutely the best.”

Joining the Convention Bureau will provide new

paths to market for your business by showcasing

directly to conference organisers both in the UK

and internationally. There are many great benefits

to being a GCMB member including:

EntRy In thE MEEtInG PLAnnERS GUIDE Our sales team take this official directory of Glasgow venues and conference support services to major UK and international business exhibitions such as IMEX, EIBTM and Confex – which each year attract more than 17,000 of the most important decision-makers. It is the most cost effective way of reaching the market.

EntRy On SEEGLASGOW.COM seeglasgow.com receives 1.5 million page views each month. You get the opportunity to reach potential consumers before they arrive and influence their travel decisions and activity arrangements.

GALLERY OF MODERN ART

LEAD GEnERAtIOn, BIDS, & QUOtES SERvICES We provide members the opportunity to submit quotes for our bids and disseminate leads in response to client enquiries, including venue location searches.

4

COnfEREnCE, MEEtInGS & EvEntS DIARy Members have access to exclusive information via our monthly Conference, Meetings & Events Diary – a vital tool to ensure your business wins a share of this market.

GLASGOW SCIENCE CENTRE 5

COnfEREnCE AMBASSADOR PROGRAMME With more than 2,000 conference and event organisers from academic, medical, scientific and business institutions, membership is your opportunity to gain unique access to this motivated and highly influential group of decision makers.

MEMBER nEtWORkInG EvEntS These networking events put your business in touch with all the key players in Glasgow’s conference, events and tourism sector. This is Team Glasgow in action, and it allows you to exchange business ideas and partnership opportunities with other GCMB members.

GCMB will bring you up to date with the latest trends and opportunities in the market.

You can showcase your product, venue or service.

MEMBER PRESEntAtIOnS The more GCMB knows about your products and services, the better we can represent you to relevant clients. Arrange a presentation about your product or service to our sales team.

MEMBERS’ WORkShOPS These free information sessions give you the inside information on hot topics such as the Commonwealth Games and Ryder Cup 2014. GCMB works in partnership with members, providing expert advice on how to increase business yield. We’ll show you how to get the maximum commercial benefit from platforms such as the events Diary, Members’ Newsletter, media visits and site inspections.

SItE InSPECtIOnS & fACILIty vISItS Every year, GCMB brings many influential conference buyers to the city. Members who offer to help with services such as accommodation, meals, transport and attractions have a clear opportunity to highlight their businesses to these key decision makers.

MEDIA vISItS The pR team arranges more than 100 trips each year for leading journalists from across the UK and overseas. These visits generate coverage in key media channels. Support GCMB during these visits and your business can gain valuable media coverage.

MALCOLM MACMILLAn, IntERnAtIOnAL COnfEDERAtIOn Of MIDWIvES, 2008

“The Glasgow City Marketing Bureau provides a service to which many businesses aspire: and that is the provision of excellence in its dealing with customers. In practice this meant that over a period of five years planning our congress, we experienced the highest quality standards, sensitivity to a range of extraordinary needs, and problem solving that made life so much easier. The unique ability of GCMB to work seamlessly with our various partners deserved the highest commendation.”

DAILy nEWS DIGESt GCMB emails a daily round-up of tourism and business related news to more than 3,500 key influencers, including public and private sector organisations, stakeholders, movers and shakers.

Members who wish their own news items to be included should submit their press releases for consideration.

MEMBERS’ nEWSLEttERS This fortnightly electronic communication to over 500 industry associates informs members of tourism news, features and GCMB activities. Reach fellow GCMB members by submitting a member to member listing. This is your opportunity to describe your product, service or partnership idea to Team Glasgow.

MEDIA EnQUIRIES GCMB’s pR team handles destination media enquiries. Keep our public Relations team up to date on your company news and events for inclusion in GCMB media materials and story leads given to media and trade journalists.

THE ARCHES

6 7

8 9

thE GLASGOW DIARy published every 3 months with a print run of 100,000, the Glasgow Diary offers members the opportunity to promote their major events throughout the UK and beyond.

‘WhAt’S On’ LIStInGS The events listing on seeglasgow.com receives 2,500 unique visits per month and is the most comprehensive listing of events in the Metropolitan Glasgow area. Members can submit details of their events from charity and fundraising to exhibitions and sports.

MEDIA PROMOtIOnS GCMB promotes the city to our key markets, working with members and partners such as Ryanair and Virgin Trains, to produce prize packages for print, online and broadcast promotions.

MEMBERS’ MARkEtInG tOOLBOx providing a comprehensive suite of materials about Glasgow in film, podcasts, still images and descriptive copy for members to use in their sales and marketing activity including:

GCMB Member window sticker and logo - proudly displaying your membership of GCMB helps to establish your reputation with your customers and business associates.

Online image library packed with destination images for members to use on their website and other promotional materials.

tourist literature including restaurant guides and discount booklets for Glasgow’s leading attractions, are amongst some of the support materials provided for delegates when staying in the Metropolitan Glasgow region.

Goodie bags - Glasgow on DVD and promotional items for use in your sales activity.

Glasgow has enjoyed remarkable growth in business tourism, and the clear and consistent message of the brand is playing a vital role in cementing the city’s reputation as a premier conference destination.

Members can use the Glasgow: Scotland with style brand in their own activity to differentiate their business, and to help promote Glasgow to local, national and international markets.

GLASGOW AIRpORT

HILTON GLASGOW

The eagle Building, BOThWell STReeT1110

SCOtLAnD WEEk - USA Apr 2009

IntERnAtIOnAL MEEtInG ExhIBItIOn (IMEx) - GERMAny May 2009

BRItISh ASSOCIAtIOn Of COnfEREnCE DEStInAtIOnS (EvEntIA) - Uk Jul 2009

IntERnAtIOnAL COnGRESS & COnvEntIOn ASSOCIAtIOn (ICCA) - ItALy Nov 2009

EUROPEAn InCEntIvE BUSInESS tRAvEL AnD MEEtInGS ShOW (EIBtM) - SPAIn Dec 2009

SCOtLAnD MEAnS BUSInESS - Uk Various

PROfESSIOnAL COnvEntIOn MAnAGEMEnt ASSOCIAtIOn (PCMA) - USA Jan 2010

IntERnAtIOnAL COnfEx - Uk Feb 2010

MEEtInG PLAnnERS IntERnAtIOnAL - EUROPE/USA March 2010

SALES MISSIOnS Each year we attend sales missions throughout the world, promoting Glasgow and our members. These involve presentations to professional conference organisers, association decision makers and corporate agencies about our members.

ACCOMMODAtIOn BOOkInGS GCMB provides a free and impartial online accommodation booking service to conference organisers and leisure visitors placing in excess of £2m of business in our member hotels each year. This in-house service also blocks thousands of room nights on behalf of conference and event companies.

As a GCMB member you will have the opportunity to provide allocations and rates for conferences or events which are confirmed to the Metropolitan Glasgow area.

tRADEShOWS & InDUStRy EvEntS We represent your business at influential tradeshows, highlighting your services and products.

hOtEL fLyInG SQUAD MEEtInGS These regular meetings with the Accommodation Team at GCMB provide accommodation members with inside information on all major conferences and events being held in Metropolitan Glasgow keeping you abreast of new business opportunities.

These meetings also provide an opportunity for networking with fellow accommodation providers.

SUzAnnE PARRy, IntERnAtIOnAL AStROnAUtICAL COnGRESS, 2008

“I worked with GCMB for over 3 years on the lead up to our Congress in 2008 and have to say the team was very supportive and extremely professional; no request was too difficult, even when we asked to erect a rocket outside of the SECC! Glasgow is an excellent city and venue. The warm reception and friendliness of the locals was overwhelming.”

tRADEShOW & EvEntS SChEDULE 09/10

GRAhAM SAMSOn, JOInt MAnAGInG DIRECtOR, MCI GLASGOW

“Membership gives us access to opportunities to work in partnership with the Bureau and its Ambassadors to attract major international events to the city. We benefit from the strength of being an integral part of Team Glasgow and the on-going support given to our clients by the Bureau can make the difference between success and failure of a meeting. The experience and professionalism of the Bureau is a proven asset and membership adds real value to our business.”

DAvID MAGUIRE, ChIEf ExECUtIvE, GLASGOW REStAURAtEURS ASSOCIAtIOn

“Being associated with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and having the particular endorsement of the city of Glasgow on our restaurants is something that brings advocacy and real value to our businesses. We enjoy working with GCMB and in being part of the success in bringing conference business to the city. Being a member allows us to get a fair share of this valuable business and it makes it easier for conference organisers to book their business.”

PAUL BRyAn, DIRECtOR, fRUIt SALAD EvEntS

“The Convention Bureau is an invaluable source of information and an excellent point of referral for business tourism news and updates for the city of Glasgow and the industry in general. The hard work of the Convention Bureau in consistently winning conference and congress business filters down to members through sales leads and other opportunities from new clients. Members represent a cross section of businesses associated with tourism, and the networking events are a great way to discuss current issues and successes with suppliers and competitors alike.”

EUAn fInLAySOn, MAnAGInG DIRECtOR, PREStIGE CORPORAtE

“We’ve been members of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau since its inception, and it has brought us real business benefits and opportunities to profile our organisation to a highly targeted audience of conference and event professionals. The highly professional team at GCMB punch well above their weight, winning both large and small conferences for the city. Once the event is won, they continue working hard behind the scenes to ensure Team Glasgow delivers truly world-beating events every time. If you are serious about the business tourism sector in Glasgow, you simply must be a member of GCMB!”

CAROLInE MCkEnzIE, DIRECtOR Of BUSInESS DEvELOPMEnt, COnGREx GROUP

“Our membership of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau is invaluable to our business. It has provided us with an excellent platform to promote our service offerings as well as an essential networking forum enabling us to interact with other city stakeholders and partners. GCMB is an excellent ambassador in promoting the world-class services and facilities the city has to offer and are instrumental in ensuring the high profile that Glasgow enjoys domestically and internationally. Our membership has enabled us to be part of this.”

PRESTIGEc o r p o r a t e

BEn GOEDEGEBUURE, SALES DIRECtOR, SCOttISh ExhIBItIOn + COnfEREnCE CEntRE

“The SECC is the UK’s largest integrated conference and exhibition centre and the Convention Bureau plays a key role in our business. Involvement in the membership programme means that the SECC has a close working relationship with the bureau and is connected to all the other partners that together form Team Glasgow. Membership gives us a high level of visibility from the moment a potential customer makes their very first enquiry.”

DOULTON FOUNTAIN12 13

TEAM GLASGOW

DOMInIC MCvEy, JOInt ChAIR, GREAtER GLASGOW hOtELS ASSOCIAtIOn

“Membership of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau creates a cohesive working partnership that is absolutely integral to the Greater Glasgow Hotels Association. We benefit greatly by being able to collectively discuss and help the Convention Bureau represent Glasgow as a progressive, vibrant and professional business and tourist destination. Working in a city that has been so successful in positioning itself as a convention destination, the Convention Bureau membership is a must for local businesses looking to benefit from Glasgow’s business tourism industry.”

CLAIRE DUnnInG, PRESIDEnt, GLASGOW ChAMBER Of COMMERCE

“Whether you’re an hotelier, conference venue, retailer, shopping centre, restaurant or bar, if you choose to join the Convention Bureau, your contribution will be an investment not just for Glasgow but for your business. The Convention Bureau is a team of dedicated and experienced marketing and sales professionals who are extremely proactive at targeting and winning conference business. Their track record speaks for itself. By working together, and being part of the Convention Bureau, we can continue to grow the business tourism market and all share in this success.”

LInDA BROWnLIE, COMMERCIAL SERvICES MAnAGER, UnIvERSIty Of StRAthCLyDE

“Membership of Glasgow City Marketing is crucial to our success as a conference venue. The collaboration on the Conference Ambassador’s programme is a vital part of our activities and provides academics with the support they need when considering bidding for conferences. The professionalism and friendliness of the team make the relationship productive and workable.

The Convention Bureau not only works tirelessly to bring conference business to the city, it enhances Glasgow’s reputation as a dynamic, forward thinking city. We consider ourselves fortunate to be part of it.”

StUARt hEnDRy, BRAnD hERItAGE & COMMERCIAL MAnAGER, GLEnGOynE DIStILLERy

“I have no doubt that membership of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau significantly enhances Glengoyne’s profile, bringing international visitors with the right demographics to the distillery. The Bureau’s enthusiasm, belief in their product and focus on delivering profitable events is evident from initial bid, through fam trips to the end booking and they frequently manage to keep Glengoyne involved throughout. Membership brings tangible benefits to our business.”

IShBEL DUnCAn, DIRECtOR, UnIvERSIty Of GLASGOW

“Being a member of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau helps us profile the University to potential conference organisers and they have assisted us in bringing major international conferences to Glasgow over the past 20 years.”

LAURIE SCOtt, BUSInESS DEvELOPMEnt MAnAGER, MEEtInG MAkERS

“Our membership of the Glasgow Marketing Bureau has become an integral part of our sales and marketing plan.

The business opportunities and support provided to us have been significant in helping us develop our business and standing within the industry.”

BRUCE RItChIE, GEnERAL MAnAGER, PREStIGE SCOtLAnD hAMPDEn PARk

“The Convention Bureau is a key element in bringing conference and event business into Glasgow. The time, effort and most importantly attitude of the GCMB in attracting quality events and yielding the right results only serves to raise the profile of our great city on a local, national and global scale. Their continued success is crucial to both Hampden park and the city and I value our partnership.”

KELVINGROVE ART GALLERY AND MUSEUM

14 15

MeMBeR OF TeaM glaSgOW

BuSineSS leadS

BOOKingS

eXCluSiVe MaRKeT inTelligenCe

aCCeSS TO deCiSiOn MaKeRS

MulTi Media eXPOSuRe

PROMOTiOn aT TRade ShOWS

neTWORKing & eduCaTiOnalS

FlYing SQuad MeeTingS

Value FOR MOneY

BEST VALUE FOR MONEY

16

THE SCOTTISH EXHIBITION + CONFERENCE CENTRE

POCkEt

tOP 10 MEMBERShIP BUSInESS BEnEfItS

WWW.SEEGLASGOW.COM

11 GEORGE SQUARE GLASGOW G2 1DY T +44 (0) 141 566 0800 F +44 (0) 141 566 0810 e-mail join@seeglasgow.com

printed on Revive recycled paper.

pHOTOGRApHY SUppLIED BY: ANDY BUCHANAN, RICHARD CAMpBELL, DAVID CLERIHEW, CORBIS, DRS, NISBET WYLIE, SIMpLE, IAIN SMART. ALL pHOTOGRApHY IS SUBJECT TO COpYRIGHT