Insight: Issue 175 | Wed 01 May

Is that The Sun or do
our eyes deceive us?

As another May Bank Holiday beckons, our intrepid team of eventeers are valiantly searching high and low for the best and most insightful events news in town. And maybe a bit of sunshine into the bargain perhaps?

This week, we have: From UB40 to COP26, Peter Duthie celebrates 40 years at the SEC; Glasgow’s SEC to double in capacity under £80million plan; The Sustainable Event Guide 2024 by Event Industry News; and a new Initiative is unveiled to Enhance Glasgow’s Conference Legacy.

From UB40 to COP26: Peter Duthie celebrates 40 years at the SEC

40 years at the SEC – that’s no mean feat. CEO Peter Duthie spoke to Exhibition News about the highlights of his 40-year career at the Glasgow complex, his cricket career for Scotland, and how the SEC has evolved since being opened by a shambolic UB40 gig in 1985.

Glasgow’s SEC to double in capacity under £80million plan

And keeping with the irresistable force that is the SEC, there are £80million plans afoot to double capacity at the Events Campus that could replicate the ‘Finnieston effect’ in Glasgow’s riverside area, according to its leader.

The proposal, which has been agreed in principle by the city council, could see a new conference centre built on the east side of the campus.

Credit: Holmes Miller Architects

Peter Duthrie, Chief Executive of the SEC, said:

“With the success of the Hydro the question was what do we do next and the answer came from our conference sales team who said they were turning some business away that we could get if we had more space and better facilities,” said Mr Duthie.

“Effectively we are looking at building a new conference centre with an £80million expansion at the east end of the campus.

“We are competing in a global market. Upgrading our facilities would allow us to stage two conferences of scale at the same time and attract some of these bigger blockbuster events.”

The Sustainable Event Guide 2024 by Event Industry News

As sustainability continues to take centre stage in event planning, this comprehensive guide by Event Industry News serves as your go-to resource for discovering the top sustainable venues and suppliers.

Packed with the latest news, invaluable advice, and insightful blogs from experts in the field, this edition equips event organisers with the tools and knowledge needed to host eco-friendly and socially responsible events.

New Initiative Unveiled to Enhance Glasgow’s Conference Legacy

And finally the Glasgow Convention Bureau, in collaboration with the Glasgow Science Festival, has launched the Glasgow Conference Impact Network.

This initiative, unveiled on March 24, 2024, aims to strengthen Glasgow’s position as a premier destination for academic and professional gatherings.

Aileen Crawford, Head of Glasgow Convention Bureau said: “Taking the subject matter of the conference outside the walls of the convention centre and into the community is hugely important to our association conference clients. The launch of the Glasgow Conference Impact Network brings Team Glasgow together to maximise the positive long-term impacts of academic conferences taking place in the city.”

And that’s yer lot for this week folks

Enjoy the May Bank Holiday when it comes and don’t do anything we wouldn’t do….