VisitScotland and VisitAberdeenshire support high-profile business events leadership forum in London

VisitScotland and VisitAberdeenshire have given their support to a high-profile business events leadership forum in London taking place next month.

The national and regional tourism agencies will sponsor the ‘invitation only’ Business of Events Leadership Forum, which will take place at the QEII Centre in Westminster on November 3rd.

The event is being billed as an opportunity for the MICE industry and government to ‘come together to discuss future market opportunities and challenges within the sector’.

Supported by VisitBritain and the Business Visits & Events Partnership (BVEP), the forum will see a number of sessions delivered from organisations including the Department for Culture, Media & Sport, the Department for International Trade and the UK Events Industry Board. The forum will be opened by Sally Balcombe, CEO of VisitBritain.

A session on research conducted into international buyer motivations and barriers will also be presented and be debated by a group of European buyers including Cisco, ESOT and Maritz as part of a wider PCMA delegation which will include International Chair Mary Pat Heftman and EMEA Regional Director, Luca Favetta.

Delegates will also be given the opportunity to discuss ways in which future market challenges across the industry can be overcome, and opportunities for growth maximised.

The forum is being supported by a number of leading organisations from across the sector, including VisitScotland, Visit Aberdeenshire, ibtm events, Cvent, London & Partners, Visit Wales and drp.

Chris Foy, chief executive of VisitAberdeenshire, said: “With Aberdeen scheduled to open its ground-breaking new convention and exhibition centre in 2019, the city is now competing at a higher level to attract global business events. With this in mind, it is important for Aberdeen as a region to be involved at the heart of the debate, and help shape the future of this sector in the UK which the Business of Events Leadership forum will provide.”

In addition to the forum itself, a welcome reception will be held on the eve of the conference at One Great George Street, Westminster ahead of the Parliamentary Dinner, which will be attended by John Glen, Minister of State for Tourism, senior members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Events, government officials and senior members from across the UK events industry.