Press release -
Leading on the green
Moves to make Scotland more ‘green’ will be put in the spotlight at a Perth event to help boost the country’s multi-million pound business events sector.
InnovateRenewables, organised by VisitScotland Business Events, will hear from experts in renewables and sustainability on Scotland’s place as a global leader in renewable energy innovation and production.
The free event will take place at Perth Concert Hall on 31 May.
Dr Darren McCauley, a senior lecturer in Energy Policy and director of the Arctic Research Centre at the University of St. Andrews will speak at the event and cite the university’s sustainable development across its operations, as it seeks to become carbon neutral for energy production.
Through the Salix energy investment fund the university has committed £4.4 million to energy efficiency measures across its campus, with another £5.1 million to be invested over the next 18 months. The fund is the largest and most successful in the UK higher education sector.
InnovateRenewables will also hear from Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, on the benefits of renewables to business and the community.
The event is part of the Innovate the Nation free talk series, by the business events team at the national tourism organisation, which provides a networking opportunity for academics and the business events sector and the potential for future collaboration on business events.
The focus on renewables coincides with the theme of VisitScotland Business Events’ digital campaign Legends during May and June, which will examine Scotland’s innovation in the energy sector.
Innovate the Nation brings together experts, influencers and the next generation of pioneers and innovators in a series of engaging talks throughout the country, exploring the incredible innovation taking place across the country. Previous talks include InnovateDigital, InnovateRobotics and InnovateFilm.
Legends showcases Scotland’s legacy of invention, research and knowledge through its current experts and influencers, to the associations and wider Meetings, Incentives, Conferences and Exhibitions (MICE) market, in a bid to encourage more organisations to choose Scotland to stage business events.
Sian Williamson, VisitScotland Business Events, said: “We are excited to be hosting our first Innovate the Nation talk for 2018 at Perth Concert Hall with two incredibly engaging speakers who are experts in their field. We need our local experts and industry champions to work in collaboration with us to help us bring the world’s very best events to Scotland that will contribute to Scotland’s future success and continuing world renowned innovation legacy.
“InnovateRenewables takes place during VisitScotland Business Events’ Legends campaign with our focus on energy throughout May and June. This is our first global digital campaign over 24 months that focuses on Scotland's long-established position as the home of pioneering innovation.”
Claire Mack, Chief Executive of Scottish Renewables, said: “Scotland is already leading the way in renewable energy – but we can do so much more.
“When it comes to green energy, our weather is our strength. Capturing sustainable energy from our winds, rainfall, longer daylight hours and more is already creating economic and environmental benefit across the country.
“Our industry is growing fast, and with ambitious climate change targets in place renewables really will power an increasingly large portion of Scotland’s future.”
For more on InnovateRenewables and to book a place, go to: http://www.conventionscotland.com/Our-Events/Scotlands-Free-Talk-Series/INNOVATE-RENEWABLES
ENDS
Topics
- Tourism
Categories
- perth
- st andrews
- 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’s core objective is to contribute to the Tourism 2020 Strategy ambition of growing tourism revenues by £1 billion by 2020.
- This will be supported by five overarching strategies: Marketing, Events, Quality and Sustainability, Inclusive Tourism, International Engagement.
- The organisation employs 700 people and has offices and VisitScotland Information Centres across Scotland.
- Spending by tourists in Scotland generates around £12 billion of economic activity in the wider Scottish supply chain and contributes around £6 billion to Scottish GDP (in basic prices). This represents about 5% of total Scottish GDP
- For VisitScotland’s press releases go to http://www.visitscotland.org/media_centre.aspx, tourism statistics and frequently asked questions go to http://www.visitscotland.org/
- 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
2018 Year of Young People
- The Year of Young People 2018 will be the next of the Scottish Government’s series of themed years, following the Year of History, Heritage and Archaeology 2017.
- The Year of Young People (YoYP 2018) will inspire Scotland through its young people aged 8 to 26, celebrating their achievements, valuing their contributions to communities and creating new opportunities for them to shine locally, nationally and globally
- Central to YoYP 2018 will be a celebratory events programme that puts young people at the heart of its development and delivery, creating new and valuable experiences for young Scots and the wider public, with links to the inaugural 2018 European Championships.
- Over 200 young people throughout Scotland are currently being recruited to become YoYP 2018 Ambassadors. Ambassadors will ensure that people and organisations in their communities know about what’s happening and will lead on projects and activities to create events and opportunities to celebrate young people.
- The Year of Young People will have six themes which were developed in co-production with young people themselves:
- oParticipation – looking at how young people can influence public services and decisions which affect their lives
- oEducation – creating a stronger role for young people in shaping their learning
- oHealth and Wellbeing – supporting young people to lead healthier, active lives and have opportunities to learn about and improve their mental health and resilience
- oEquality and Discrimination – broadcasting the value of young Scots, challenging negative perceptions of young people, and supporting young people to take leading roles in challenging discrimination in all its forms.
- oEnterprise and regeneration – celebrating young people’s role in innovation, entrepreneurship and the Scottish economy as well as making Scotland a greener and more pleasant place to live
- oCulture – celebrating young people’s talent and contribution to Scottish culture and arts.
- Further information on what’s happening and how people can get involved can be found on the new website www.yoyp2018.scot or @YOYP2018 on Twitter.
