Business, Industries and Economy in Scotland
Plan a Memorable Business Event in Scotland!
Looking for new destinations to plan your next corporate event? – Scotland is country that provides several venues with the right ambience, facilities and other attractions to make your trip a successful business visit with opportunities for healthy relaxation too. Easily accessible by air from London and over forty European cities including Paris, Amsterdam, Stockholm, Brussels, Frankfurt and Zurich through major airlines, the cities of Edinburgh and Glasgow in Scotland are large modern cities that provide the infrastructure for a major corporate event with their own unique flavor. There are daily direct flights from New York to Edinburgh and from Chicago, Calgary and Toronto to Glasgow. The London – Edinburgh train link is the fastest in Britain and one can enjoy a four hour journey through splendid English countryside en route. There are excellent train connections to other major cities in Scotland too.
Scotland offers state of the art facilities at venues built to accommodate international conventions. The Scottish Exhibition Conference Centre, the Armadillo in Glasgow, the EICC in Edinburgh and the Aberdeen Conference Centre are just three of the many locations one can choose from. Professional organizers can help you with your bid for an international convention or conference and help you plan an event that will build the image of your organization. The Convention Bureau is at hand to provide every support and expert advice. Recreation in the form of shows, golf and walking tours can fill your leisure time.
Edinburgh, the old capital of Scotland which is once again home to the Scottish Parliament after three hundred years, offers scenic beauty, history and several extraordinary venues for special events such as gala receptions and banquets. Host a memorable banquet at Edinburgh Castle or Dundas Castle or the Royal Yacht Britannia. No other place on earth could offer these treasures where you and your guests can retrace the steps of the British Royalty! Other special venues you could consider are the National Galleries of Scotland and the National Museum of Scotland. These and other venues against the backdrop of the Old Town of Edinburgh reflect the history and grace of the city and the surrounding Lothians. The Edinburgh International Conference Center offers more than twelve thousand square feet of conference space with state of the art facilities.
Aberdeen is an eclectic blend of the exciting past and vibrant present of Scotland. Equipped with the most modern convention center, Aberdeen is also the gateway to the castles and whiskey distillery countryside of Scotland. Country house hotels and castles provide unique ambience to your meetings and conventions while the high tech Aberdeen Exhibition and Conference Centre will give you no reason to complain. Accommodation ranges from five star luxury to university hostels in addition to the 123 bed hotel attached to the AECC.
Glasgow is one of Europe’s most cosmopolitan cities and blends innovation with tradition to provide a perfect business venue. The twenty five thousand square feet Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre, University of Glasgow and the Royal Concert Hall are just three of the major venues you can select. There are over seventeen thousand hotel rooms of all budgets to choose from in the city.
Industries in Scotland
Scotland has contributed greatly to the worlds aerospace developments with over 140 companies related to this industry. Ryanair and The Goodrich Corporation are among the forerunners in this economic sector.
Over 7000 people are working in Scottish chemical companies. Companies like GlaxoSmithKline, BP and Exxon all have branches operating from Scotland.
10% of Scotland’s GDP comes from construction with a turnover of £11.2 billion in 2003. There are over 200 000 people employed in the construction industry in Scotland and the built environment of Scotland has been estimated as having a replacement value of more than £200 billion.
Digital Media corporations in Scotland like VIS Entertainment and Rockstar North, both of whom are based in Scotland have been responsible for the hit games State of Emergency 2 and Grand Theft Auto.
The micro & optoelectronics industry in Scotland retains about 25 000 people and contributes just over £1.2 billion to Scotland’s GDP.