Glasgow Convention Bureau
Aileen Crawford
Head of Glasgow Convention Bureau
aileen.crawford@glasgowconventionbureau.com
07930 128835
www.glasgowconventionbureau.com
ICCA client research released
The Conventions Team has worked with the International Congress & Convention Association (ICCA) on a research project to understand the challenges facing clients and delegates in the post Covid-19 world, so we as an industry can plan accordingly. Amongst the research’s more in-depth results, key findings include:
- 73% believe that Covid-19 will fundamentally change how they operate in the future.
- Event and sponsorship revenue sources are under review by 55% of associations, whilst 49% are reviewing membership models.
- 78% intend to include hybrid and digital elements to events going forward, with a general opinion that these should lead to increased attendance.
- 60% of respondents believe that there are limitations to the ultimate success of virtual events when compared to face to face.
- 28% said geographic rotations are under review and likely to change in the future.
- 78% would consider the use of a meetings management company going forward.
- 55% of delegates will travel when it is safe to do so and when restrictions are lifted.
- 28% of delegates say they will wait for a Covid-19 vaccine before travelling.
Findings from the association client research can be found here
Impact of Covid-19 on Glasgow’s conference business
The impact of Covid-19 on conference business for the city continues to change on a daily basis.
The Conventions Team has been working closely with our clients, the team at the SEC, the city’s hotel community, our Universities and unusual venues to help with the changing plans caused by postponements and cancellations.
As of the end of June 2020, 115 conference clients have considered their options with 41 deciding to cancel, which equates to a resultant loss of £55 million to the city’s economy.
63 conferences meanwhile, worth £105m to the local economy through delegate spend, have now been postponed to 2021 - 2022.
Future conference business as at the end of April 2020 (these figures are subject to change):
September – December 2020
- 20 conferences (the majority are national meetings).
- 2,000 delegates.
- £2 million local economic economic benefit from delegate spend.
January – December 2021
- 81 conferences (many still confidential).
- 65,000 delegates.
- £100 million in local economic benefit from delegate spend.
- COP26 has been postponed to 1-12 November 2021 but has not been reflected in the above figures until more information becomes available regarding delegate numbers.
From 2022 to 2025
- 37 conferences.
- 50,000 delegates.
- £85 million local economic benefit from delegate spend.
New conference business
Since 1 April to the end of June, Team Glasgow has continued to attract and win conference business for the city. 14 conferences have confirmed for future years, attracting 8,000 delegates, worth £12million in delegate spend.
Glasgow Convention Bureau from home
This social media activity celebrates Team Glasgow by connecting the Convention Bureau with the city’s venues and conference clients who have all been working virtually together from home throughout lockdown to find the solutions required to reschedule confirmed conferences for the city to future dates. Glasgow Convention Bureau from home.
Launch of the new virtual Glasgow conference experience
Recognising the growth in hybrid and virtual meetings, the Conventions team will create a ‘virtual Glasgow experience’ to bring some Scottish flavour with a Glasgow twist to personalise on-line interaction with delegates and aims to: • Encourage the virtual delegate to visit Glasgow in the future. • Support conference organisers by creating personalised content. • Support Glasgow companies by promoting their on-line sales to a wider, global audience. This web-based resource will be available on the convention bureau website for clients researching information on Glasgow’s Covid-19 related health and safety hygiene protocols and measures in place across transport, hotels, conference venues, retail and social spaces.
New online Glasgow delegate journey
As an aid to both conference organisers and delegates, production is currently underway to create an on-line Glasgow Delegate Journey. This web-based resource will be available on the convention bureau website for clients researching information on Glasgow’s Covid-19 related health and safety hygiene protocols and measures in place across transport, hotels, conference venues, retail and social spaces. This information will link out to members’ Covid-19 hygiene information, gathered in one place for ease of sharing.
Further information on the work of the Glasgow Convention Bureau can be found here