We have worked for VisitScotland for more than 20 years, starting in 2002 when we tendered to build the UK and Ireland trade and consumer stands for World Travel Market, Holiday World and Outdoor and Adventure shows.

Since then, we’ve delivered a huge variety of projects. Golf events in the UK and Europe; Tartan Week in New York; trade exhibitions in Germany, Spain and the US.

As well as developing sales and marketing tools along the way to support.

Business Trade Events: London, Frankfurt, Las Vegas

These three events promote Scottish hospitality businesses to a very defined, prestigious and knowledgeable buyer group. The events are multi-layered in their requirements-technical presentations, warm ambience, catering, quality service and seamless, professional, floor management. 

Our current multi-partner pavilion for VisitScotland is an exciting evolution of the last decade of working not just for-but with -this dynamic team.  As we have a senior director/project manager actively working at each show we have built up an intimate knowledge of the details and problems that can and do arise from hour to hour throughout the day. 

Our current design is a luxurious mix of wood and soft plaid, ambient lighting, comfortable partner positions and enjoyable catering. At its heart is state of the art presentation suite, with studio quality sound, latest ultra-high definition 82” LCD screen and stunning seating configurations. The look is high quality Scottish Hunting Lodge, stunning and discreet but looks very expensive! The three events are broadly structured in the same way. Each begins with a group meeting which includes everyone on the pavilion, partners, stakeholders and back up team. The days agenda is detailed then a final technical check, one last cup of coffee and we are open for business.

We create a catering area on stand for partners and their clients. We staff the hospitality facility with staff from the local area and ensure we have staff who are bilingual. We invariably employ a core staff of 5 including a bar manager to focus on providing a high-quality service to our guests.

We manage seven presentations during the day to pre-determined hosted buyer groups. These presentations are timed to give both a Scotland overview by the VisitScotland team and to allow the option for an individual short meeting with stand partners, Gleneagles Hotel, for example. The presentations do not allow for much time between shows so once finished, the set up begins for the next. A short break over the lunchtime period requires a different furniture layout for guests who have dropped in for a coffee or glass of wine.

 The presentations and meetings continue throughout the day until at about 16:30 we are required to clear the internal floor area of all furniture prior to event managing evening receptions. These are Scottish themed and feature music and video presentations, whisky tasting and, believe it or not, a ceilidh complete with bagpipes. We have worked with VisitScotland for many years and have formed a close relationship as a member of the extended team. 

VisitScotland evaluate the performance of the events against objectives, conducting research amongst stand partners as well as the wider industry following every event. We participate in the process, reviewing the feedback and entering into consultation with VisitScotland to discuss and agree areas of possible innovation. Our experience in delivering these events is a vital component to continuous improvement and we take pride in bringing that experience, bolstered with the experience of other projects around the world, to continue to improve the design, the function and the hospitality we provide.