Glasgow scoops three awards at glittering events industry ceremony

Glasgow has scooped three awards at a glittering events industry ceremony – including best convention bureau in the UK for a record-breaking 13th consecutive year.

Glasgow Convention Bureau and The Scottish Event Campus both won gold, whilst Strathclyde University’s Technology & Innovation Centre won a bronze at the Meetings & Incentive Travel Awards 2019.

The SEC was crowned the Best UK Conference Centre at the ceremony at Battersea Evolution on Friday evening – beating off stiff competition from ExCeL London, the ICC Birmingham and ACC Liverpool – and Strathclyde University’s Technology & Innovation Centre won bronze in the Best Academic Venue category.

Aileen Crawford, Head of Glasgow’s Convention Bureau, said: “This suite of awards from what is widely regarded as the ‘Oscars’ of the business tourism industry reinforces Glasgow’s reputation as the UK’s conference capital. Our unrivalled success is testimony to the outstanding partnership working that exists right across our conventions sector – from the SEC and Glasgow Chamber of Commerce to NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, our five universities and the wider business community.”

Director of Conference Sales, Kathleen Warden, said: “We are extremely proud and excited to have won gold in the Best UK Conference Centre category. The M&IT Awards are special as the outcome is decided by our clients, so to be recognised in this way is fantastic.

“At the SEC, we invest in our people and our campus. We believe in partnerships and the value that these have to our clients, who are at the heart of everything we do. This award is testament to the outstanding team that we have here and the work that they do every day to give our clients and delegates a great experience.”

Over the past twelve months, the SEC has continued its exciting evolution journey. One of the key highlights was the opening of the SEC Meeting Academy which has allowed the venue to welcome smaller, more intimate meetings whilst also providing a VIP area and additional breakout options for larger congresses.

Europe’s first newly-built Radisson RED opened in early 2018, taking the total number of hotel rooms on campus to 1,024. The Clydeside Distillery, which opened in late 2017, is another welcome addition to the campus, providing an authentic and immersive hospitality option for delegates and clients.

The SEC contributes over £1m per day (£400m annually) to the Glasgow economy and welcomed over 70 meetings in the last year.