Press release -

Scotland set to steal the show in Las Vegas

VisitScotland will this week lead a delegation of 15 Scottish partners at one of the biggest MICE (Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions) events in the world.

The national tourism organisation’s Business Tourism team will host a stand at IMEX America in Las Vegas, and will be joined by representatives of some of the country’s biggest hotels and venues, as well as Glasgow City Marketing Bureau and Marketing Edinburgh.

Among the Scottish partners at IMEX are Gleneagles, scene of Europe’s recent Ryder Cup victory over the United States, the Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa in St Andrews, Cameron House on Loch Lomond, Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre, Edinburgh International Conference Centre and the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre in Glasgow.

Around 20,000 people are expected to attend the three-day event, which takes place from tomorrow (Tuesday 14 October) until Thursday at the Sands Expo & Convention Centre. 

Giving Scottish businesses the opportunity to hold important face-to-face meetings with influential event organisers from North America, last year’s IMEX America activity generated around £13 million worth of enquiries for Scotland.

VisitScotland will also co-host an evening event with London & Partners, complete with Scottish music, giving partners a further chance to generate business. 

Scotland will provide focus on its very strong sustainable and green credentials during Imex as it is becoming more and more important to demonstrate to the industry. The meetings industry is also very important to the sustainability of Scotland's tourism market as it supports the shoulder seasons either side of the busy summer tourist months.

Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Tourism at VisitScotland, said: “America is a hugely important market for business tourism in Scotland and IMEX gives our partners an invaluable opportunity to meet event organisers face to face. Collectively over the course of the three days, they will fulfil hundreds of appointments, while VisitScotland’s Business Tourism team will be showcasing the many world-class venues and hotels we have in Scotland. This year, there will also be a strong focus on Scotland’s sustainable and green credentials.”

ENDS

VisitScotland partners at IMEX America 2014:
Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre
Apex Hotels
The Balmoral (Edinburgh)
Cameron House on Loch Lomond
Cashel Travel
Old Course Hotel Golf Resort & Spa (St Andrews)
Edinburgh International Conference Centre
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
The Gleneagles Hotel
In2Scotland
Waldorf Astoria Edinburgh, The Caledonian
Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre
Sheraton Grand Hotel & Spa
Spectra in Scotland
Convention Edinburgh (Marketing Edinburgh)

Topics

  • Tourism

Categories

  • business events
  • corporate communications

Regions

  • Scotland

Notes to Editors:

  • Follow us on twitter: @visitscotnews
  • VisitScotland is Scotland’s national tourism organisation. Its core purpose is to maximise the economic benefit of tourism to Scotland. 
  • The organisation has three key roles:
  1. To market Scotland to all parts of the world to attract visitors
  2. To provide information – and inspiration – to visitors and potential visitors so they get the best out of a visit to Scotland
  3. To provide quality assurance to visitors and quality advice to the industry and partners to help the industry meet and strive to exceed customer expectations
  • VisitScotland works together with tourism businesses to make tourism a success for everyone and ensure the industry continues to grow.
  • The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
  • 2014 is the year Scotland welcomes the world, when it hosts the Glasgow Commonwealth Games, the Ryder Cup at Gleneagles and more than 800 Homecoming events throughout the country.For more information on Homecoming Scotland 2014, go to www.visitscotland.com
  • The VisitScotland Information Centre network is a unique face-to-face channel engaging with around five million visitors and locals each year. Everyone who uses a VisitScotland Information Centre goes on to spend an additional £5.35, generating over £24 million for Scotland’s economy. 
  • According to a recent Deloitte study, tourism employs 270,000 people in Scotland in 20,000 diverse businesses. The same study calculates that the industry contributes £11 billion annually (direct and indirect impact, including day visits) and supports around 10 per cent of employment in Scotland. Almost 16 million tourists take overnight trips to Scotland.
  • Where possible, a Gaelic speaker will be made available for broadcast interviews on request (Far an tèid iarraidh, agus far am bheil sin nar comas, bruidhinnidh neach le Gàidhlig aig agallamh)
  • For holiday information on Scotland go to www.visitscotland.com
  • For information about business tourism in Scotland go to www.conventionscotland.com
  • For more information on VisitScotland’s annual review please go to www.visitscotland.org/about_us/our_focus/annual_report.aspx

Contacts

Chelsea Charles

Press contact Scotland’s Themed Years Communications & Engagement Manager Contact for media enquiries on: Scotland’s Themed Years (i.e. 2018 Year of Young People; 2020 Year of Scotland's Coast and Waters; 2022 Year of Scotland's Stories) 0131 472 2067

Carrie MacWilliam

Press contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - National Contact for media enquiries on: Travel media (Scotland); Year of Young People; UK Marketing; Dundee; Fife; Angus; Perthshire 0131 472 2052

Amelia Whittaker

Press contact Senior Corporate Press Officer - Regional Contact for media enquiries on: South Region; Edinburgh and Lothians; Food and Drink; Scottish Thistle Awards 01750 723806

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