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Events Generate 6 Million in Economic Benefit
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The survey, which was conducted across eight events and festivals in 2005, reports attendance of almost 125,000 – 5,300 of which were first time visitors to the city.
It is estimated that that the eight events comprising the Glasgow River Festival, Gourmet Glasgow, Piping Live!, the World Pipe Band Championships, Block Architecture Festival, BBC Proms in the Park, Merchant City Festival and the Glasgow Film Festival generated £6 million for the local economy last year.
Joe Aitken, Head of Events at Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, commented, “This survey was commissioned, so that we could better understand the impact and benefit of major events in the city. The results have been very encouraging, revealing not only £6 million in economic impact, but also a very high proportion of respondents – 76% - who rated Glasgow very highly for its warmth of welcome.”
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, added:
“The results of this survey bode extremely well for the future.
“The joining of Glasgow City Council’s events and event marketing teams with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau will ensure a strategic approach to attracting events that support the city’s brand, Glasgow: Scotland with style, and that help differentiate us from our competitors.
“Events are about generating hard currency for the city at times when local businesses really need it, and the new structure will create more opportunities for us to do that.”
Key events in 2006 being managed and marketed by Glasgow City Marketing Bureau include:
Glasgow River Festival (15 & 16 July)
July sees the return of the festival celebrating the River Clyde, following the enormous success of the previous two festivals. Special events will take place throughout the weekend at venues along the waterfront and on the river itself, including Glasgow Science Centre, The Tall Ship at Glasgow Harbour and the SECC. www.glasgowriverfestival.co.uk
The River Clyde is one of Glasgow’s key assets and the Glasgow River Festival is seen as vital to positioning the waterfront as an attractive place to live, work, invest in and visit. The Festival attracted in excess of 40,000 people in 2005.
Piping Live! Glasgow International Piping Festival (7-13 August)
A global celebration of the diversity of piping music will take place in Glasgow as more of the world's best and emerging pipers descend upon the city for the third year of Piping Live!, the Glasgow International Piping Festival. For one week across various different venues and outdoor spaces, Piping Live! will showcase the best that international piping has to offer with more than two dozen different nationalities and piping traditions represented. www.pipingfestival.co.uk
In addition to Piping Live!, Glasgow’s celebration of piping music ends on the highest of notes when Glasgow Green once again hosts the spectacular World Pipe Band Championships on August 12. Celebrating the very best of Scottish culture, music and dance, this annual major event showcases pipe bands competing in the Grade 1 Arena for the honour of being crowned World Champion 2006.
Merchant City Festival (20-24 September)
Now in its fifth year, Glasgow’s multi-arts festival will combine theatre, music, visual arts and comedy to create a unique atmosphere within the city’s historic and cultural quarter “The Merchant City.” www.merchantcityfestival.com
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Further information from:
Nancy McLardie, Head of PR, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
Tel: 0141 566 0830 or email nancy.mclardie@seeglasgow.com
Note:
Following the joining of Glasgow City Council’s events and event marketing teams with Glasgow City Marketing Bureau late last year, there are now 40 staff at GCMB who are engaged in national and international activity comprising:
- Development and implementation of the city branding campaign:
Glasgow: Scotland with style - Conventions, incentives, meetings and exhibition sales
- Conference and event accommodation bookings
- Event creation, attraction, management and marketing
- Public Relations
- Management of the website: www.seeglasgow.com for the metropolitan area