News Update (June 06) from Glasgow City Marketing Bureau

At the end of its first year of operation Glasgow City Marketing Bureau (GCMB) reports an increase of 8% in conventions sales over 2004/05 while conference hotel bookings were up by a remarkable $1.84 million (£1 million)

 

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau was established on April 1 last year following the re-organization of Scottish tourism and subsequent creation of 14 VisitScotland network offices in place of 14 area tourist boards.

 

Glasgow alone set up a public limited company, GCMB, to replace the dissolved Greater Glasgow and Clyde Valley Tourist Board (GGCVTB) and following the joining of Glasgow City Council’s events and event marketing teams with GCMB late last year, the company now has 40 staff engaged in national and international activity comprising:

 

 

Figures for the first year of operation show:

 

 

 

 

The number of visitor beds in Glasgow has grown by 40% in the past six years, confirming the city as one of the best equipped and most competitive conference venues in Britain.

 

As well as significantly expanding the stock of three and four star rooms, the city has also witnessed a renaissance at the top end of the market.

 

Among the most exciting new developments are:

The city’s credentials as one of Britain’s most affordable conference destinations have been reinforced by a survey last year on prices for conferences of 500 people (See note 2). The Scottish Exhibition + Conference Centre (SECC) was listed ninth in price out of twenty, cheaper than many rival destinations in the UK.  www.secc.co.uk

 

There are now:

 

Prior to closure in 2003, Kelvingrove was the most visited museum in the UK outside London.  After a three-year, $52 (£28 million) restoration, it will reopen on July 11 as one of Europe’s must-sees.

 

The building itself is one of Glasgow’s most iconic and a comprehensive stone cleaning program means that the glowing golden sandstone of 100 years ago has been restored.

 

The collection at Kelvingrove is world-class featuring masterpieces by Van Gogh, Rembrandt, Botticelli and Dali plus its unique arms and armor collection and Ancient Egyptian artifacts. 

 

Kelvingrove of course wouldn’t be complete without paying homage to Glasgow-born genius Charles Rennie Mackintosh, one of the founders of the European Art Nouveau movement.  The new extensive ‘Mackintosh and the Glasgow Style’ gallery will showcase Mackintosh’s life and legacy through his art, design and architecture.

 

Kelvingrove’s magnificent Main Hall will also be available for hire to meetings and events planners and has the capacity to take 500 guests for a gala dinner or 1000 for a reception in its spectacular setting.  In addition, the Brasserie café with conservatory annexe has capacity for 160.

 

A new temporary exhibition space on the ground floor presents another possibility for guests, providing a contemporary dimension that contrasts with the rest of this largely Victorian building.

 

The extensive upgrading of visitor facilities to improve accessibility – including ground floor access, lifts, dedicated cloakroom and modern toilets – will also be of benefit to guests attending events and receptions.  And a state-of-the-art kitchen means food can now be wholly produced, held and presented in-house, presided over by Encore Catering’s Executive Chef, Adi Schmid, and his experienced team.

 

Prior to closure, Kelvingrove had hosted many gala dinners and receptions for national and international associations and was the venue in 2002 of a VIP gala dinner held on the eve of the UEFA Champions League final at Hampden Park, Glasgow. 

 

Further information on Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum and its exhibits can be found at: www.glasgow.gov.uk/kelvingrovemediaoffice or www.glasgowmuseums.com

 

Venue hire and booking information can be obtained through the Convention Bureau of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau or via Encore Creative Catering at www.encorecatering.co.uk

 

The Glasgow City Halls & Old Fruitmarket reopened their doors to the public in January 2006 after an extensive $23 million (£13m) refurbishment which has transformed the A-listed properties into two of the most versatile, state of the art venues in Scotland.

 

Glasgow City Halls is a significant addition to the city’s portfolio of conference facilities and represents a major milestone in the development of the Merchant City as a cultural quarter.

Managed and operated by Glasgow Cultural Enterprises (operators of the Glasgow Royal Concert Hall and the annual Celtic Connections traditional music festival) on behalf of Glasgow City Council, the City Halls will be responsible for delivering high quality music performance and education to the people of Glasgow and to visitors to the city.

 

Home to the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra, the City Halls is Glasgow’s oldest purpose built performance and meeting space.  This 19^th Century Neo-Classical designed building, has a lavishly decorated formal auditorium with world-renowned acoustics along with a wide array of rooms ideal for smaller events.  The venue also has facilities for live broadcasting and video link conferencing.

 

The facilities can accommodate events for 20 – 1400 guests with an overall site capacity of up to 3000 split over seven levels.  The combined venues also offer three dedicated bars and an in-house team of caterers.

 

Speaking at the Glasgow: Scotland with style reception at The New York Yacht Club, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau’s CEO Scott Taylor, said:

 

“The pace of development of the conference infrastructure in Glasgow is phenomenal.  In January we saw the reopening of City Halls and the Old Fruitmarket and in July Kelvingrove Art Gallery and Museum will be restored to its rightful place as one of the UK’s premier unusual venues.”

 

“Almost $52 million (£28 million) has been spent on restoring the museum over the last three years and we now have a truly world-class attraction with banqueting facilities to match.

 

“Meanwhile, the Glasgow: Scotland with style city branding campaign is gaining significant traction.  Launched in March 2004, the brand establishes a clear point of differentiation from our competitors and has been used to great effect in marketing and recent bids.  As a result, Glasgow has seen a 40% increase in enquiries this year and interest in the city has never been greater.”

 

For information on any of the venues listed or for any other conference enquiries please contact the Convention Bureau at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, email: conventions@seeglasgow.com