Not only is Glasgow a vibrant city, renowned for its innovation and creativity, but it’s also a great destination for eco-conscious planners – the city took a top five spot in the 2019 Global Destination Sustainability Index (GDS Index), which ranks the most sustainable business tourism and events destinations.

New hotels

A host of new hotel openings is further increasing Glasgow’s appeal to event planners. Check into the new Kimpton Blythswood Square Hotel which features 113 gorgeously appointed rooms and welcoming public spaces with original wood panelling and marble fireplaces.

Event planners will love the flexible function spaces, which include a fashionable custom-built 52-seater table and the screening room, decked out in Harris Tweed fabric for 40 guests. Be sure to check out the Bo & Birdy restaurant, which serves the very best of locally sourced Scottish produce, while its eponymous cocktail comes complete with a peacock feather garnish.

In the pipeline are two new hotels next to the SSE Hydro Arena, part of Glasgow’s Scottish Event Campus (SEC). The upcoming Courtyard by Marriott brand will offer 221 rooms, while

Moxy hotel will offer 213 rooms. Both will be ideal for businesses either hosting or attending events at the SEC, which also features features the SEC Centre– five interconnected exhibition and meeting spaces, the iconic 3,000 seat SEC Armadillo

Finally, a boutique 57-room Hotel Gotham is planned. Located at Blythswood Square, it will be the second Hotel Gotham property by Bespoke Hotels, following the brand’s debut in Manchester four years ago.

Experience Glasgow

Outside of its impressive hotels and venues, planners can add some Scottish flair to their conferences and events through incorporating local traditions, culture and heritage.

According to Glasgow Convention Bureau, no visit to Scotland would be complete without sampling a ‘wee dram’. Why not include a whisky tasting session at your conference dinner? Glengoyne, one of the local distilleries just 30 minutes from the city, can also create a unique blend of whisky for your conference and brand it with your logo.

Tee off at one of Scotland’s many golf courses – there are over 600 in the country and more than 50 in the Glasgow area alone.

Why not dine in a Scottish castle dating back to the 18th century. With such a dramatic setting, your delegates can dine like a King or Queen for the evening and enjoy some Scottish food and drink. Or add some energy and Scottish traditions to your social programme by hosting your very own ceilidh. Your delegates will learn some Scottish dances while enjoying traditional music – it’s guaranteed to get everyone on the dance floor.