Scotland the Perfect Stage: Reflections on over two decades

As my final few days with the organisation draw closer, I find myself reflecting on what’s been an incredible journey over the last two decades.

It's hard to put into a few words what a pleasure this journey has been. The experiences I've had throughout my time have given me opportunities to be part of historic moments, not just in Scotland's sporting and cultural history, but moments that have made an impact globally. ?

Recently I was asked what my highlights have been from across the years – an almost impossible question to answer, especially when so many experiences stand out for different reasons.?

A few which I’ll not forget include seeing stars such as Beyoncé, Justin Timberlake and Kylie Minogue descend on?Edinburgh?for the?2003 MTV?Europe Music?Awards – one of the first events that EventScotland supported from the initial bid stage; hearing the crowd roar as Team Europe captained by Catriona Matthew lifted the 2019 Solheim Cup at Gleneagles;?celebrating the 75th anniversaries of the Edinburgh International Festival, Edinburgh Festival Fringe and Edinburgh International Film Festival combined with the first fully restriction-free summer post-pandemic in 2022, and watching the faces of spectators as cyclists taking part in the road races at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships made the ride up Hill Street and Montrose Street in Glasgow look like a walk in the park.

I’ll also take incredible memories with me of The 2014 Ryder Cup, Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2015 World Gymnastics Championships, 2015 World Orienteering Championships, 2018 European Championships, and the World Athletics Indoor Championships 2024…to name but a few!? All of which put Scotland on the world stage in terms of its capability and capacity to host events of this scope and scale.?

However, it’s not just about remembering the most dramatic or obvious moments, there are events across the country where the subtle, smaller impacts hold great significance for people and communities, and I won’t forget how transformative these moments have been. ?

Across the years, through our portfolio approach, our EventScotland funding programmes have benefited many communities, and it’s been hugely rewarding to see passionate sector colleagues nurture, grow and develop their creative ideas into much-loved home-grown events and festivals cherished by many. ???

Of course, like every industry, there have also been challenges – none more so than the pandemic which had a profound and severe impact on the industry, followed by record inflation rates, supply chain restrictions and global conflict. ?Adapting to change is at the very core of our dynamic, resilient and ever-evolving sector who have tackled the recent tough times with grit and determination.

The events industry is constantly evolving, driven by shifting consumer preferences and expectations, technological advancement, competition, and regulatory changes.?Evolution and change are inevitable, and the dynamic landscape that we have all been experiencing continues to reshape the sector, pushing boundaries, and redefining event experiences.?

As I look to the future, I’m confident the ambitions for our sector remain steadfast as captured from the extensive input to Scotland’s refreshed National Events Strategy 2024-2035. A continued collaborative approach will be essential to move forward with the implementation and I’m delighted that Scotland’s Events Industry Advisory Group will continue to play a leading role in driving the key priorities forward.

However, past successes are not merely milestones to be celebrated, our sector needs to continue to be nurtured, developed and invested. Recent coverage continues to highlight the importance of support and investment for our homegrown event assets has never been more critical.

Scotland’s success as a world-leading events destination cannot be taken for granted, our capability and reputation has not always existed, but instead has been specifically targeted, developed, invested in and grown.

The affection for our country, our crowds, our landscapes, our streets where artistic talent can flourish, our venues where dreams can be made, personal bests achieved, and historic moments captured must continue to be embraced.

People are the industry’s greatest asset, and they will continue to be crucial to the growth and success of the sector. I’ve been fortunate to work with so many superb colleagues across the years.? I’ve been supported by an industry both in Scotland and further afield that passionately cares about the positive impact culture, sport and business events can achieve for our nation, economy and society.

Inspiring the next generation of event professionals will be vital.?To those starting out in the industry, my advice is to be adaptive, resilient, and build relationships.?Don’t be afraid to put forward your ideas! Creativity is at the heart of events – it creates unforgettable experiences and plays a critical role in facing challenges.

I've made friends for life, and it's no coincidence that everyone says it, but the people are undoubtedly the hardest part of saying farewell.

I’ll leave with three final statements Be Bold, Be Brave and be the Best you can be! It’s been an honour to see Scotland thrive as the perfect stage for events across the years, and I look forward to seeing what comes next. ?