From a dilapidated dockside to a campus literally ‘buzzing’ with energy

The story of how Glasgow’s iconic SEC became a hive of activity for the modern conference delegate

It’s 1979. The UK welcomes the first JD Wetherspoons pub, Spandau Ballet is formed, and the charts are dominated by Chic, Gloria Gaynor and the Bee Gees. It’s also the year that the Scottish Development Agency (SDA) supports the concept of a purposebuilt exhibition and conference centre in Glasgow. With a budget of £36m, plans are kicked into action to transform the derelict Queens Dock into the initial Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre (SECC).

Fast forward to 2018 and the Scottish Event Campus (SEC), on the banks of the River Clyde, is now one of the most prominent multipurpose event venues in Europe, welcoming more than two million visitors and over 300 events annually. Part of the cultural fabric of the city, this is the story of how a once dilapidated dockside space has evolved into Scotland’s natural home for entertainment and business events. The first events at the SECC were held in 1985 – a Gala performance by the Scottish National Orchestra, UB40 and the Commercial Interiors and Shopfitting Exhibition, before the venue was officially opened by HM the Queen during the Scottish Motor Show.

The SEC underwent its first major transformation 10 years later in response to growing demand from the conference market; acclaimed architect Sir Norman Foster set forth plans for a 3,000-seater arena, and the Clyde Auditorium, as it was originally termed, was affectionately retitled as ‘The Armadillo’ by a public enamoured by the building’s distinctive and bold style; the large, versatile venue also had the effect of catapulting the SEC into the global events market with conference turnover increasing by 43%, and business and economic targets met four years ahead of schedule. By 2003, the QD2 master plan – the second redevelopment of the Queens Dock – was unveiled, featuring a state-of-the-art 12,500-capacity national arena. Foster + Partners once again revealed plans for what would become The Hydro. Opening in 2013, the unique construction was ranked by Pollstar in the top three arenas in the world and collected several national architecture awards.

The Scottish Event Campus attracts two million visitors a year and is ranked as one of the top entertainment venues in the world

THE ADDITION OF the Hydro meant there were now three buildings under the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre umbrella, meaning the singular name, ‘SECC’, was no longer fit for purpose: The SEC Armadillo, the SEC Centre and The SSE Hydro were therefore all rebranded to the Scottish Event Campus in 2016, reflecting the diversity of the offer. Levy’s, the venue’s caterer, was also restyled to SEC Food, as part of a similarly ambitious and ongoing project to provide fresh, nutritious food and create bespoke, client-focused menus. The campus has also been bolstered by a new whisky distillery, a modern new hotel and, internally, a new meetings space, The SEC Meeting Academy. There are now over 1,000 hotel rooms within a five-minute walk of the campus and the neighbouring Finnieston (the hippest place to live in the UK – as voted for by The Times) continues to be a trend-setter.

A further two hotels will come on-stream soon, providing even more options for organisers and visitors. Local businesses have noticed huge benefits of operating around the campus, with over 40 bars and restaurants, also recently praised by leading critics, opening in Finnieston since the Hydro opened. People travel from far and wide to the 300+ events per year at the SEC – it’s often delegates’ first time in Scotland. The SEC makes it the utmost priority to deliver a truly rich, authentic Scottish experience, working closely with partners across Glasgow to make it happen. The SEC is now redefining the term, ‘campus’. It’s not a campus in the university sense, it’s a campus in the sense that everything that a delegate needs is within a tenminute walk; a ‘downtown’ style area, that combines the security and community of a village, with diverse entertainment options for even the most ambitious and creative of event organisers.

For those staying in the adjacent Crowne Plaza, there is no need to even go outside, for everything is, quite literally, under one roof. The campus set up has created a strong sense of community. Great things happen when people come together, and keeping them together, and engaged, is all the more possible with everything so close at hand. Inside the SEC, a digital infrastructure initiative has seen over 200 screens installed across the venue, helping clients bring their brands to life through the easy showcasing of video content, signage and other event information. It also speaks to the increase in ethical business adopted by clients with digital seen as a more sustainable way when compared to printed materials.

In keeping with this ethic, as the venue evolves, so has its sustainability practice; the SEC has taken significant steps when it comes to being ‘green’, not least because of its deep sense of community responsibility: for example, 180,000 bees occupy three hives at the west end of the campus and provide honey for SE C Food’s catering provision. SEC Food continues to lead the way in sustainable food and drink, supporting the removal of plastic straws across the venue and the implementation of fully compostable and/or recyclable packaging. All ingredients are sourced with the environment in mind – sustainably sourced fish and low food mileage are now run-of-the-mill factors in SEC kitchens.

Even the cleaning products have evolved, from basic floor cleaning to live, environmentally friendly bacteria which eats away dirt without chemicals flowing into the water system. The installation of watersaving taps and improved waste management processes have all led to reduced client waste costs and improved green credentials across the campus. It’s a rare find – a venue which can simultaneously hold a sell-out concert alongside a large, international conference and an exhibition, where over 1,000 visitors can stay within a five-minute walk and socialise at a multitude of highquality bars and restaurants in the vicinity. To top it all off, the team at the SEC has grown with the venue. A passionate, enthusiastic team of event experts help clients bring their event to life – from initial enquiry through to debrief. At its heart the SEC is a people business, built for the national community, and serving a wider international one. It remains one that cares about the people within its walls, be they delegates, event organisers, or the staff who work hard every day to deliver that quintessential People Make Glasgow welcome.