what other countries can learn from us , is just to be very clear about the distinction between convention bureaux at a city level and at a national remit level . When we add in Journey to Change and the Policy Driven Model , they could open a whole raft of opportunities that hotels and venues didn ’ t know existed . There are all sorts of ways that corporations could achieve their CSR . It ’ s about demonstrating the opportunity to people within the sector .

Right when we went into the pandemic , as a sector , nobody truly understood what we went through or what we did . We were part of an obscured , misunderstood sector called events . We were the least visible part because nobody could understand where we began and ended . As a sector , we must emerge and say we are not just a big conference . We are bringing desirable tourism ; we are not just a contributor to over-tourism . As a

sector , not just in Scotland , we need to pull together once and for all .

MF : What did it mean for Scotland to host COP26 ?

NB : COP26 had the ability to put Glasgow on the map . I think for Scotland , the ultimate objective for Journey to Change , is being seen at the centre of where important discussions happen .

Of course , the host of the event was the UK Government , not the Scottish Government . Therefore , it is absolutely critical that the bits we were in control of worked well . Consequently , we needed to ensure seamless delivery , logistically sound hotels and venues , confidence and show we could do an excellent job .

What happens in the discussion halls , is less in our control . But it ’ s a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for Glasgow and it ’ s the biggest business event ever to come to the UK .

“ If something comes out of COP26 like a Glasgow paper or Glasgow agreement , that would be a brilliant opportunity to show that business events can be part of policy delivery .”

MF : What should event organisers be looking to learn from the legacy of COP26 ?

NB : There are two types of legacy from COP26 . One is that COP26 truly shows what legacy can come from a business event . It ’ s that sense of civic pride that we saw in London nine years ago at the Olympics . If something comes out of COP26 like a Glasgow paper or Glasgow agreement , I think that would be a brilliant opportunity to show that business events can be part of policy delivery . It ’ s the ultimate chance to demonstrate this is a conference , look at what it does . Its people meeting face-to-face , even Greta Thunberg is an advocate of in-person meetings .

From an operational point of view , it demonstrates to Scottish people that we host events very well . From a sustainable point of view , we feel strongly that it ’ s not about ‘ we travelled to business events ’, it is ‘ how ’ we travel . I think the discussions at COP26 had to be at that high level . It was about elevating the discussion and not just about doing the little things .

MF : What does the events sector look like in Scotland , now restrictions are being lifted ?

NB : There is still the debate in Scotland about the vaccine passport . The Scottish Government is proceeding with it but , of course , it ’ s not an event vaccine passport , it ’ s proof of vaccination for all circumstances . Business events are exempt , but we are going through discussions about some of the standard elements where there are over 500 people . It ’ s all a degree of caution . If the app works as a QR code and can read QR codes from other countries , it ’ s going to be fine . Nearly every country is using the same app and the same technology , and it ’ s one download which lasts a year , so it isn ’ t hugely onerous .