Business Events

Glasgow welcomes over 150,000 delegates, attending over 500 conferences, worth £140 million in economic benefit to the city from delegate spend annually. Glasgow is one of Europe’s most successful conference locations, hosting more international delegates than any other UK city outside London.

Despite the current challenges facing the meetings industry, Team Glasgow has secured over 60 new conferences from a range of sectors since 1 April 2020. The conferences will welcome over 45,000 delegates to the city and have an economic value of £96m.

The Glasgow Convention Bureau, part of Glasgow Life, specifically targets conferences in key sectors which help deliver the city's economic strategy, read more about the key sectors on the convention bureau website.  These sectors include:

  • Medical and life sciences
  • Engineering and Technology
  • Energy
  • Space
  • Marine
  • Creative
  • Digital
  • Food and drink

Glasgow Convention Bureau is responsible for positioning Glasgow as a major conference destination within the UK and internationally. The team continuously develops its city-wide strategic partnerships, world-leading Conference Ambassador Programme and bespoke public engagement activities to support UK, European and international clients with hosting a successful and memorable meeting in Glasgow.

Two modern steel clad buildings along the side of river. One is light up in blue and green lights.

The Programme, run by Glasgow Convention Bureau, supports individuals who wish to encourage their own professional associations, sectors and groups to meet in Glasgow. The programme provides support at every stage of the process from researching the viability of the conference coming to Glasgow through to the day of the conference itself.

The team work with a variety of stakeholders and partners across the city including the SEC, universities, venues, hotels, restaurants, transport providers, Glasgow Airport, VisitScotland, Scottish Enterprise, NHS and smaller companies that support business events in the city.

Conference Accommodation Booking Service

Glasgow Convention Bureau is the official booking provider for Glasgow. Over 30 years combined Glasgow hotel relationships and experience has enabled us to remain the City’s official provider of conference accommodation. 

Revenue received from accommodation bookings is reinvested into ensuring Glasgow is a world leading conference destination and allows us to offer our assistance and expertise for all conferences.

Accolades

Glasgow Convention Bureau was named the UK's Best Convention Bureau for the 16th consecutive year at the M&IT awards in February 2022.  In December 2019 the Convention Bureau was also awarded a special Chairmen's Excellence Award by the Association of British Professional Conference Organisers (ABPCO) for the People Make Glasgow Healthier Initiative.  The Initiative included a variety of Public Legacy Events across the city and championed the beyond tourism benefits that conferences bring to their host destination.

People Make Glasgow Healthier Campaign Video
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In 2016, Glasgow was the first UK city to join the Global Destination Sustainability Index.  Glasgow currently sits 6th in the world rankings of sustainable conference cities. The Convention Bureau promote our Dear Green Place through the People Make Glasgow Greener initiative.

In 2021, Glasgow was the first Convention Bureau to sign up to Tourism Declares a Climate Emergency and the city joined EarthCheck benchmarking, to highlight its sustainable city status.

Our Credentials

Glasgow Scotland