Business Tourism Partnership Mission

VisitScotland
In response to the growing use of the internet as a research tool
(now used by 78% of UK corporate organisers and 50% of
association organisers according to the ‘UK Conference Market
Survey 2006’), VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit recently
launched a new website, www.conventionscotland.com. The redeveloped
web site offers unparalleled information on what Scotland
has to offer the meetings and incentives market. It contains a
comprehensive search engine containing almost 400 venues, a
complete index of support service organisations, direct links to the
full range of Scotland’s venues and providers and online registration
for BTU events.
Working Together for Mutual Benefit
In recognition of the linkages between economic development and
business tourism, VisitScotland’s Business Tourism Unit has
embarked on a programme of collaboration with Scottish
Development International (SDI), the agency which promotes
inward investment to Scotland. A number of joint promotional
events targeting a corporate audience have been held in-market,
and further marketing initiatives are planned.
Global Business through Globalscots
The BTU is also tapping into the Scottish Enterprise-run Globalscot
network, a worldwide affiliation of 900 Scots or those with strong
connections with Scotland, almost 50% of whom are at chief
executive level. Given their high potential to bring conferences or
incentives to Scotland, the BTU sponsored the inaugural Globalscots
Conference, held in Edinburgh in Sept 06. The event provided a
unique opportunity to network with over 150 prominent
businessmen, to raise awareness of what Scotland has to offer for
meetings and incentives through pre- and post-conference
familiarisation trips organised for selected Globalscots, and to gain
exposure for Scotland’s key messages through participation in
workshops and plenary sessions.
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