Tuesday
Time for a brief break from the joys of Scottish hospitality and back to business, one of my favorite kinds. I was a keynote speaker at the Business Tourism Scotland: Conference 2016 – a chance to share my experience and give back. It was held at the Technology and Innovation Centre, University of Strathclyde, Glasgow, which boasts numerous well-equipped event venues and tourism specialists from all over Scotland. This is a venue brimming with inspiration. My now very familiar hosts( friends), Robert and Neil were both present, along with a few of my colleagues who also attended the ILEA Global Event Summit back in April. They guided me through the whole process and I was introduced to almost everyone at the conference. The city’ s marketing says“ People Make Glasgow” and I found this to be true wherever I went. Everyone in the city was warm, welcoming and incredibly proud of their city.
Wednesday
Sadly, my final day, and I was given a gift by VisitScotland. Not a physical item, but something that turned out to be more valuable and every bit as tangible, it was a tour of the stunningly beautiful and deeply historic, Stirling Castle. Wednesday was a cold, misty and rainy day, and I can’ t think of better weather in which to experience this enchanting and atmospheric national treasure; I was beyond impressed. The upkeep of this castle that dates to the 12th century is what impressed me the most, it’ s as immaculate as the time it was first built, and to be in its surrounds is truly awe-inspiring. Amazingly, practically the entire castle can be hired for corporate and social events and I can imagine any event held there would be full of possibilities, authentic and memorable.
The end of the day was spent at Gleneagles, a classy, world-renowned hotel and championship golf courses with a luxurious spa, all of which are completely tremendous. Gleneagles is magnificent; an absolute charmer, and I know my social and corporate clients will be very interested to learn more about it. I can’ t wait to tell them.
During this final day, I spent extra time with Neil and we discussed the pros and challenges of the strong brand presence that Scotland has around the world. Now, after this wondrous trip to so much, but by no means all, of Scotland’ s fabulous offering, I am left in no doubt that Scotland has so much to tell the corporate events world, so much to offer and so much to teach us about hospitality.
My entire visit to Scotland was an amazing experience, during which I feel I made lifelong friends and family, and for that I thank ILEA and the warm and wonderful people of Scotland.
28