More
than 2,000 soil scientists will meet in Glasgow this summer as the Scottish
city gets back to doing what it does best - hosting international association
meetings.
Over the last 12 months, the city’s convention bureau
secured 71 new conferences, which are expected to bring 36,000 delegates in total
to the city, adding £53m to city coffers.
These add to the more than 100 meetings taking place
during the 2022/2023 financial year, which should deliver an additional £87m in
‘delegate spend’ or business tourism.
The quadrennial World Congress of Soil Science, run
by the International Union of Soil Scientists, is taking place at the Scottish
Event Campus (SEC) from 31 July – 5 August.
Sarah Garry, executive officer of the British Society of
Soil Science, said: “We started working with the Glasgow Convention Bureau and
the SEC on our invitation to host the world congress in 2008, so we are
delighted that after all the hard work and planning, over 2,000 delegates from
the international soil science community will meet at the SEC from 31 July
2022. We hope that congress attendees will use the congress as a stimulus to
develop innovative solutions within academia and industry and support the public
to recognise the importance which soil has in securing our future.”
Glasgow Convention Bureau, which is part of Glasgow Life, works
on more than 100 bids for major conferences every year alongside key partners
like the SEC and NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, as well the city’s academic
community, tourism and hospitality businesses, and transport operators.
Aileen Crawford, head of Tourism and Conventions at Glasgow
Life, said: “Team Glasgow has worked tirelessly over the past 12 months,
supporting clients who were forced to move or adapt their conferences while
also winning more than £80m of new conference business for future years.
“Crucially, the long-awaited return of physical meetings
will enable delegates to collaborate, exchange expertise and drive innovation
in person across an array of specialist subjects, from climate change solutions
to the future of healthcare. It’s wonderful to be able to welcome these events
back and support our city’s post-pandemic renewal.”
Kathleen Warden, director of Conference Sales, SEC, added: “In
2022 we have a full calendar of conferences. Organisers and delegates are
eager to get back to meeting face to face, to share knowledge and create an
impact, and it’s a delight to be welcoming delegates back to the
city. Most importantly, we are striving to deliver events more sustainably
than ever before.”
Written By
James Lancaster
AMI editor James
Lancaster is a familiar face in the meetings industry and international
association community. Since joining AMI in 2010, he has gained a reputation
for asking difficult questions and getting lost in convention centres. Proofer, podcaster, and panellist - in his spare time, James likes to walk,
read, listen to music, and drink beer.
