Scottish Event Campus (SEC), Glasgow
Collaboration and scale
All of Scotland’s major cities boast large-scale event venues, from SEC in Glasgow to the EICC in Edinburgh, and from P&J Live in Aberdeen to the country’s many universities and hotels, offering plenty of choice for events of all sizes.
A striking example of this is the Ocean Sciences Meeting (OSM), which was hosted at the 13,000-capacity Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow in February, marking the first time in the meeting’s 44-year history that it was held outside the United States.
Scotland’s marine science expertise, spanning leading institutions such as Heriot-Watt University, the National Oceanography Centre and Marine Scotland, strengthened the event’s academic credentials. Glasgow’s sustainability record further reinforced its appeal, highlighted by the SEC’s role in hosting COP26 in 2021.
P&J Live
© VisitAberdeenshire / Damian Shields
Public engagement
The country’s capacity for large-scale events is matched in its passion for encouraging events that leave a positive social and economic impact. This is underpinned by VisitScotland’s Transformation Protocol, which connects conference organisers and delegates with Scottish partners to nurture collaboration and long‑term socio‑economic benefits.
Through the Transformation Protocol, organisers can tap into a whole network of local partners across innovation, academic research, third sector groups, industry bodies, government agencies, and investment groups, to take their event to the next level.
This kind of joined up thinking helped to deliver the UK Stroke Forum 2025. Held at P&J Live in Aberdeen, the bid was secured through a coordinated local effort led by the venue, the Aberdeen Convention Bureau, NHS Grampian and the University of Aberdeen. An expert network of local clinical ambassadors was instrumental in making the case, supported by the city’s world-class research credentials in stroke science.
What makes this example inspiring is that the community impact programme was woven into the fabric of the bid. Local partners collaborated to create a public engagement initiative that directly connected stroke survivors and their carers across the North-east of Scotland with vital support services, turning the event into a catalyst for real, meaningful change in people’s lives.
In partnership with Developing the Young Workforce (DYW), the Forum also included a session introducing local young people to career pathways in stroke care and research, connecting the next generation with clinicians, therapists, researchers and charities.
EICC Impact Network panel session
© EICC
Meaningful impact
One of Scotland’s leading convention centres, The Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC), has formalised its approach to conference legacy through its Impact Network - which connects conference organisers with local charities, schools, universities, community groups and public engagement opportunities.
Organisers can explore which of the UN SDGs (People, Planet, Prosperity, Partnership and Peace), match their conference’s goals, discuss their vision with the EICC team, and connect with relevant partners across Edinburgh and Scotland.
Past examples include the Association of Cardiovascular Nursing and Allied Professions (ACNAP), which introduced public heart health screenings, an EICC Live talk on heart health and policy, a walking tour and a fun run - all in support of the British Heart Foundation.
The British Hip Society set out to inspire local students to consider careers in orthopaedic surgery. With EICC’s support, it partnered with schools across Edinburgh to run workshops and career insight sessions. The programme was so successful it will be replicated at the society’s next conference in Belfast.
Glasgow team launching "In Glasgow Meetings Mean More" with SCOTO Exec Director
© Glasgow Convention Bureau
Supporting organisers
The ‘In Glasgow, Meetings Mean More’ initiative consolidates Glasgow Convention Bureau's support for conference organisers under one clear framework. It brings together sustainability, legacy and community engagement services into four connected pillars: Sustainable, Impactful, Equitable and Socially Responsible.
Through the programme, conference organisers can access UN SDG workshops, receive guidance on greener delegate choices, connections to local charities and social enterprises, and support from the Glasgow Conference Impact Network. The initiative is designed to help planners embed responsible and regenerative principles into events - without the heavy lifting.
Scotland makes it easy to host events that create a real, positive impact - both for delegates and local communities. With a range of large-scale venues, excellent infrastructure, and abundant local expertise, the country can help you deliver events of any size that leave a lasting impression.
