In a UK poll for influential industry magazine Meetings & Incentive Travel (M&IT), Glasgow was voted number one ahead of strong competition from Convention Bureau of London & Partners, Liverpool Convention Bureau, NewcastleGateshead Convention Bureau and Staffordshire and Stock-on-Trent Convention Bureau.
The record-breaking accolade underpins Glasgow’s position as the first UK city ever to clinch the top prize ten years in a row.
And in the decade of holding the coveted title, the Bureau has secured more than 3,000 domestic and international conferences in partnership with the SECC, Glasgow’s hotels and venues, academic institutions and city partners.
More than 1.2 million conference delegates have spent 3.8 million nights in the city’s hotels during this time with delegates accounting for up to one in five hotel beds sold in Glasgow; underscoring the importance of conventions business in driving local economic growth.
Councillor Frank McAveety, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, said: “Winning the coveted title for the Best UK Convention Bureau for the tenth consecutive year is an incredible achievement. Glasgow’s ambitious aspirations in the conventions market are paying dividends.
“The sky’s the limit for Glasgow; and winning this award every year for the last decade is testament to the hard work from partners across the city. From our venues, especially the SECC, hotels, universities, the NHS, local ambassadors, restaurants, transport providers, and all the other conference service providers that consistently strive for excellence in making Glasgow one of Europe’s premier business tourism destinations.”
Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, said: “Congratulations to GCMB’s Convention Bureau on securing this award for the tenth year in a row. The accolade is completely deserved. The number of conferences won and delivered by the bureau and city partners over the last decade has been a key factor in Glasgow’s economic success.
“This year has an exciting calendar conferences spanning varied subject matters and specialisms as the city continues to grow its reputation as a world class host city.
“We would like to extend our congratulations to all involved at GCMB, and hope to see their hard work recognised for yet another decade.”
Amanda McMillan, Managing Director of Glasgow Airport, said: “This is tremendous news for Glasgow City Marketing Bureau. The entire team at GCMB are true ambassadors for Glasgow, consistently delivering an exciting pipeline of major conferences and events. The economic benefits that they bring to Glasgow and its people are very significant, and the bureau has certainly helped the airport’s growth in recent years.
“The fact that the team has won this award for the past nine years demonstrates how popular they are and the huge impact they have on the city, and they truly deserve to win it ten years in a row. I would like to warmly congratulate GCMB on winning for this prestigious award once again.”
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Glasgow City Marketing Bureau