Scottish Association Survey 2023/24
Executive summary
VisitScotland, in collaboration with leading conference venues and convention bureaus across Scotland, closely monitors the performance of high-value inbound association conference events.
The 2023/24 results demonstrate a strong return to pre covid delegate attendance levels across association conferences in Scotland, with delegate attendance reaching unprecedented levels. This surge in activity has generated the highest economic impact on record. In the 2023/24 period, the sector achieved record-breaking visitor spending and supported more jobs than ever before.
Key findings:
- Record economic impact: £349.1m net additional impact to Scotland’s economy representing a 100% increase from 2022/23 (96% when adjusted for inflation).
- Significant rise in delegate attendance: 146,000 delegates representing an increase of 55% compared to 2022/23.
- Increasing events: 317 events hosted, which was an increase of 12% from 2022/23 levels and close to pre covid levels (330 events hosted in 2019/20).
- Increasing value per event: Over £900,000 additional spend per event 2023/24. The average value of events held in Scotland exceeded the recent historical average, as did average delegates and delegate days generated per event.
- Relatively stable event duration: Average event lasted 2.7 days which was relatively consistent with 2022/23 levels.
- Substantial activity in low season months: 40% of events took place between October and March, in typical ‘shoulder’ or ‘low’ months.
Full Scottish Association Survey 2023/24 report. | PDF 2.1MB
Methodology
The Scottish Association Survey provides insights into the scale and economic impact of association conferences held in Scotland. Conducted annually, the survey is coordinated by VisitScotland, which invites convention bureaus, conference venues, and hotels to submit details of relevant events hosted within their cities and venues.
Value calculations incorporate Scottish Government and industry recognised “Delegate Expenditure Benefit” multipliers which have been adjusted to current prices using the HM Treasury Price Deflater.
All submitted data undergoes a thorough audit by VisitScotland, with any non-qualifying events removed from the final dataset.
In this survey we have in places used “delegate days” to describe the impact association events have in Scotland. Delegate days is a measure that looks at the total number of delegates who have attended each event, and the number of days the event they have attended was held over and assumes full attendance.
Previous Years
- Read here the full 2022/23 - 2021/22 Scottish Association Survey report. | PDF 4.7MB
- Read here the full 2019/20 - 2020/21 Scottish Association Survey report. | PDF 0.9MB
- Read here the full 2018/19 Scottish Association Survey report. | PDF 2.6MB
For any further information on the Scottish Association Survey please contact us at business.events@visitscotland.com.
VisitScotland would like to extend a huge thanks to all our partners in Scotland who helped make this survey possible. If your business hosts association events and was not able to submit data for this report, please get in touch so we can ensure you are included in future.
