[Source: EventScotland, 19 March] The Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and the organisers of the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships have unveiled their ambitious brand identity for this prestigious new event on the UCI International Calendar taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023. 
The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest cycling event in history bringing together 13 individual World Championships events for the first time with the world’s top cyclists and para-cyclists competing for the coveted rainbow jersey in disciplines including road cycling, track cycling, mountain bike, BMX Racing, BMX Freestyle, trials and indoor cycling. 
The Championships will also be a catalyst for collaboration and positive change across the country through the ‘power of the bike’, inspiring people to ride bikes more often for fun, exercise and to move around.
The new brand identity, which has been created by Glasgow design agency Stand, seamlessly combines the professionalism and credibility of the UCI with the warm, friendly welcome of Glasgow and Scotland – both working in harmony just like a bike and its rider.
The ‘squiggly bike’ as the host identity has been designed to encompass a feeling of playfulness, inclusivity and positivity, acting as a lasting symbol of the event and what it aims to achieve for communities right across Scotland. 
It also incorporates the UCI rainbow in its design, which in a first for a UCI World Championships, will remain in place after the event, with the UCI approving the ongoing use of the rainbow colours in support of the wide-ranging policy ambitions of the event to develop cycling in Scotland. This means the people of Scotland can take the ‘squiggly bike’ to their hearts as a lasting inspiration to celebrate the power of the bike long after 2023. 
Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop, said: “The Scottish Government is pleased to be working with the UCI to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. Hosting this mega-event is a game-changing opportunity for cycling in Scotland.
“The brand identity being launched today reflects Scotland as a nation – bold, inclusive and innovative. I am sure the ‘squiggly bike’ will prove popular with cyclists across the country and become a widely recognised symbol of cycling in Scotland.
“It is a major endorsement of Scotland and our ambition to be one of the world’s top cycling nations to have approval to continue using the UCI rainbow after the event as lasting inspiration and a continued celebration of the power of the bike.”
The event identity has been developed to uniquely differentiate this new combined UCI Cycling World Championships from the individual discipline UCI World Championships and will be used for the future editions in 2027, 2031 and beyond.
UCI President David Lappartient said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will bring together, for the first time in the history of our sport, several thousand athletes from different disciplines and five continents in an unprecedented celebration of cycling in Glasgow and across Scotland. The event logo and visual identity we are unveiling today illustrates the excellence and universality of the UCI World Championships combined with the expertise, hospitality and vision of our hosts. This unique event will leave a lasting legacy in Scotland for generations to come and will make history in the UCI and our sport in all its forms – competition, leisure and transport.”
While the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will put Scotland’s elite cycling on the map, it will also be about real stories of everyday champions inspired to everyday triumphs.
Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “As one of the top five ultimate sporting cities in the world, and the UK’s only UCI Bike City, Glasgow is delighted to host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. We’re pleased to see a nod to the city’s famous Squinty and Squiggly bridges in the squiggly bike logo and in the continued legacy of the event.  
“Scotland has produced some of the world’s finest elite riders and, while this is an important part of our country’s history, our civic pride comes from building and managing world-class and Olympic sporting venues which are open to everyone from children to adults, and from grassroots level to professional athletes. 
“This is the true power of the bike, inspiring people of all ages and backgrounds to get out and realise or rediscover the pleasure of keeping fit and healthy – both mentally and physically – in the lead up to and long after the 2023 World Championships.” 
Dame Katherine Grainger, Chair of UK Sport, said: “This is a great day for everyone involved with the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as they reveal their brand identity to inspire people across Scotland. 
“UK Sport are investing £4million of National Lottery funding into the Championships to demonstrate our commitment to bring more of the world’s biggest sporting competitions to our shores and how, through world leading innovations and collaborations they can have long lasting positive social and economic impact.
“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships present an historic first for the sport and it is an honour that Scotland has been tasked with delivering them. We know from experience from working on the biggest sporting events in the country that these Championships will truly make a difference to the communities involved and this is a key moment in engaging with them.” 
In addition to the unveiling the new brand identity, the organisers have also launched a new website – www.cyclingworldchamps.com - for those keen to find out more about the event, its ambition and sign up to be part of the journey.  
The Championships is being delivered in collaboration between cycling’s governing body the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has appointed Susan Murrin, Pamela Brockett and Rob Arbuthnot to its team in the roles of Head of Operations, Head of Sport Delivery and Head of Marketing and Communications respectively.

Each will work alongside their respective Directors and the Championships Event Partners and stakeholders to design and deliver the event as well as its wider ambition of supporting meaningful societal change across Scotland.

Susan joins the team with 15 years of major event experience having worked across the full range of operational requirements at events including at the World Rowing Championships, FIS Snowboard World Cups, London 2017 World Athletics Championships and the Glasgow 2018 European Championships. Most recently, Susan led the Championships Services team at the Yorkshire 2019 UCI Road Cycling World Championships.

For more than 10 years, Pamela has played a key role in developing Glasgow’s reputation as a world-leading event city as part of the Glasgow Life team, using her exceptional event management skills to deliver an annual portfolio of events and one-off major projects. This includes a roster of national, European and UCI Cycling World Championships and over six years’ experience of operating at a leadership level within a major multi-sport event environment, including the Glasgow 2014 Commonwealth Games and the inaugural 2018 European Championships. 

Having spent the last 10 years at Red Bull, Rob will bring a wealth of experience in leading world-class marketing activations across consumer goods, media and live experiences. Whilst in the Brand Team, he was responsible for leading and delivering some of Red Bull's most successful cycling event campaigns and activations, including Red Bull Hardline, Red Bull Timelaps and Red Bull Million Mile commute campaign, which encouraged the nation to get on their bike and, through pedal power, commute 1 Million Miles.

Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have Susan, Pamela and Rob joining the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships team. The appointment of the three Heads of Department is another key step forward as we look to deliver this historic event and build a blueprint for future editions. 

“The Championships is more than just an event. In addition to delivering a great event for athletes and spectators our aim is for it to also be a catalyst for change across Scotland by supporting ideas and opportunities that help more people to ride bikes more often. Alongside the rest of the team, Susan, Pamela and Rob will ensure this ambition for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is realised.”  

Susan will take up her role on 1 March while start dates for Pamela and Rob are currently being finalised.

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the UCI Cycling World Championships will be the single biggest cycling event in history bringing together thousands of cyclists around 13 of cycling's existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time.

The Championships is more than just an event. It will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

The Championships is being delivered in collaboration between cycling’s governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

Independent sports marketing consultancy, Inside Edge, has been appointed as the global sponsorship sales agency for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and will be responsible for marketing the sponsorship rights for the inaugural event to be held in Glasgow and Scotland.

This is a major milestone for the Championships as it looks to establish purpose-led partnerships with brands that will help drive forward the event’s ambition to deliver meaningful societal change by creating and supporting programmes and ideas that help more people to ride bikes more often.

Over the next three years, Inside Edge will have international exclusivity in marketing all available rights for the Championships and through an innovative ‘one partnership team’ approach, the agency will work alongside the host and the cycling governing body to pool all rights and develop a single set of innovative packages for global sponsors.

As well as being the single biggest cycling event in history, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be a catalyst for behaviour change across Scotland from now until long after the event. It will celebrate the power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health, easing congestion on the road to help the environment or simply making it easier for people to get around.

It is this vision and ambition that will provide brands with a unique opportunity to gain visibility around a new event concept with long lasting societal impacts.

Paul Bush, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships Chair, said: “The appointment of Inside Edge is a key milestone on our journey to 2023 as we look to bring on board brand partners who will help us successfully deliver this brand-new event and create meaningful societal change by celebrating the unique power of the bike to deliver on our important policy outcomes.

“Inside Edge’s experience, shared vision and data-led approach to help create purpose-led partnership opportunities will be vital to our success, and we look forward to working with them over the next three years.”

Andrew Markham and Jon Naspe, Co-founders of Inside Edge, said: “Inside Edge is delighted to be representing the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and we will be applying our extensive experience of running international partnership sales processes for best in class rights holders to ensure that this ground-breaking platform is a commercial success. 

“We will start to reach out to organisations that align with the clear objectives of the Championships and its key stakeholders over the coming months. Principally we will be targeting brands that are looking to drive positive societal change through projects that encourage more diversity in sport, enhance physical and mental wellbeing and bring greater awareness to environmental sustainability initiatives.

“Cycling is more than a sport, it is a part of everyday life for over a billion people globally, be that as a way of commuting, spending time with family and friends or just being active. There is a real opportunity for brands to work with us to build a meaningful dialogue with a desirable, highly engaged audience and leave a long-lasting legacy for Scotland, the UK and the wider world.”

UCI President David Lappartient said: “The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships in Glasgow and across Scotland will bring together thousands of cyclists around 13 of cycling's existing UCI World Championships into one mega event for the first time. This landmark cycling festival, celebrating the power of the bike, will delight athletes and fans for what will remain an unprecedented experience in our sport’s history. I am confident that Inside Edge, as global sponsorship sales agency for the Championships, will translate this ground-breaking event into a commercial success.”

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the Championships is being delivered in collaboration between cycling’s governing body the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI), Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

[Source: Event Scotland] Craig joins the 2023 Cycling Worlds team from Scottish Cycling and will take up the position in April, reporting directly to the Championships CEO, Trudy Lindblade. With a strong track record and a career spanning over 25 years with some of Scotland’s leading sports and leisure organisations, Craig is regarded as one of the country’s most experienced and accomplished sports management professionals. Craig spent his early career within the commercial leisure industry, before moving into broader sports development roles across local, regional and national sports organisations.

Under his leadership as CEO of Scottish Cycling since 2011, the governing body has undergone transformational change resulting in significant growth and modernisation. This has delivered substantial increases in membership, participation and revenue as well as developing a talent system that continues to deliver sustained medal success from Scottish athletes on the world stage. Scottish Cycling was also awarded Governing Body of the Year in 2018.

Craig is a vocal advocate with a huge passion for cycling and is determined to ensure the  2023 UCI Cycling World Championships can add value to the great work already going on across the cycling landscape in Scotland and importantly deliver an inspiring policy led event that positively impacts across the four key policy drivers of participation, transport, tourism and economy.

Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have Craig join the 2023 Cycling Worlds senior management team as Director of Strategy, Policy and Impacts. His extensive experience and in-depth understanding of the policy drivers, political landscape and priorities of the key partners and agencies in Scotland make him the ideal candidate to drive forward our plans for delivering a major event that delivers sustained positive impact across the four key policy areas of participation, transport, tourism and economy.  

“We have big ambitions for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships to not only deliver an outstanding event but to also celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives. Craig’s work will be vital in achieving this as we work in collaboration with cycling and wider partners to amplify and unify their existing work and activity that will give everyone the opportunity to experience the freedom riding a bike can bring to their life.” 

Craig Burn said: “I’m delighted to be joining the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships team as Director of Strategy, Policy and Impacts. I genuinely believe this event, and cycling in its widest sense, can bring solutions and positive change to individuals and communities across Scotland.

 “Not only will the Championships shine a spotlight on Scotland and the UK, but it will provide a unique platform and catalyst for government, its agencies and wider stakeholders to collaborate on initiatives and key policy areas where cycling can bring about tangible, positive change before, during and after the event for decades to come.

“First and foremost, we must deliver a world class sporting event for the athletes, spectators, stakeholders and sponsors. However, the Championships must also inspire the nation to get involved and be a vehicle to promote and celebrate Scotland’s natural assets and culture of innovation to the world.

“I’m proud and honoured to be given this opportunity to play an integral part in ensuring the success of this inaugural mega event that will create history and build a blueprint for future major events in Scotland and across the globe.”

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest single cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines into one mega event, for the first time.

The Championships is more than just an event. It will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

The Championships is being delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

[Source: EventScotland] The Scottish Government has today (15 December) announced new funding of £13 million to provide further support for the events sector in Scotland, much of which has been unable to operate during the COVID-19 pandemic. Of this, £6 million has been committed for the establishment of a new fund which will open this week to support those event businesses which are critical to Scotland’s events sector, and without which the capacity to deliver major events would be significantly reduced.

The Pivotal Event Businesses Fund will provide grants from £25,000 up to a maximum of £150,000 to support approximately 50 to 100 event businesses whose primary role as organisers, suppliers, contractors and venues is critical to the survival of the events sector in Scotland, and upon whom the wider events industry and supply chain are most reliant for their own business and operations.

Organisations applying to the fund must meet the eligibility criteria including having an annual turnover in excess of £500k prior to the COVID-19 pandemic; be directly involved in the delivery and organisation of at least five major events, festival or business events each year; employ a minimum number of staff, and events must be the primary source of the organisation’s income. This Fund is intended to support those pivotal businesses who operate at a size and scale in their sector and/or location where the loss or insolvency of that business would have a significant and detrimental impact on Scotland’s ability to continue to host and stage major events. Additionally, the fund will be targeted to support businesses which are experiencing critical financial problems that threaten insolvency or significant job losses due to the impact of COVID-19.

The remaining funding will be used to set up a separate fund to provide broader support to businesses across the full range of the events sector, including the supply chain, and will be announced early in the new year.

The latest funding follows the £10 million announced by the Culture Secretary in July for the events industry, of which £6 million was allocated to the now closed Event Industry Support Fund while £2 million was allocated to Scotland’s Events Recovery Fund currently being run by EventScotland.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “The events sector has faced severe challenges throughout 2020 as the restrictions necessary to contain the coronavirus pandemic have left most businesses unable to operate. While the arrival of a vaccine offers grounds for hope, the events sector and its wider supply chain will continue to experience difficulties for some time to come.

“We were able to provide financial support for the events sector in the autumn but we have continued to listen and we acknowledge that further funding is required. This additional £13 million will allow us to help hard-pressed businesses going forward and ensure that they are ready to support the recovery when it is safe to operate again.

“Scotland has a well-earned reputation for delivering successful events at local, national and international level. We are working collaboratively with the industry to ensure that the sector has a future to look forward to and that we maintain our position as the perfect stage for events.”

The Pivotal Event Businesses Fund will be administered by VisitScotland, with eligible organisations first asked to complete an Expression of Interest form to demonstrate they meet the eligibility criteria. This form will go live at 12pm on Wednesday 16 December and will be open for one week until 5pm on Tuesday 22 December with full details of the process and requirements available at: https://www.visitscotland.org/events/funding/pivotal-event-businesses-fund

From the expressions of interest, approximately 50 - 100 organisations which meet or exceed the eligibility criteria, and which are assessed to represent a sectoral and geographical spread of the most significant event organisers, suppliers and venues operating in Scotland, will then be asked to submit a full application.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events, said: “Scotland’s events industry continues to be severely impacted by the ongoing effects of COVID-19. The £6 million Pivotal Event Businesses Fund will provide vital funding to businesses critical to our industry’s survival, and without whom our capacity to deliver major events would be significantly reduced.

“Events play a key role in our communities by sustaining livelihoods and bringing, social, cultural and economic change so ensuring the industry’s survival is key to Scotland’s recovery from this pandemic.”

The full application process has been designed to ensure that funding reaches the businesses where it is needed the most to ensure the recovery of the sector. Organisations who have been in receipt of other COVID-19 funding are not excluded from submitting an Expression of Interest as long as they meet the eligibility criteria.

For the purpose of this fund, events are defined as one off or annual occurrences including live sporting and cultural events and festivals that are open to the public to attend, and major business events, incentives and conferences.

The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships has appointed Phil Heselwood, Jonathan Rigby and Kate Steven to its senior management team in the roles of Director of Sport, Director of Commercial, Marketing & Communications, and Director of Operations respectively.

Reporting directly to the Championships CEO, Trudy Lindblade, each brings a wealth of cycling and international major events experience and will work alongside Trudy, the UCI and the Event Partners to design and deliver the inaugural event in Glasgow and Scotland in August 2023.

Prior to joining the Championships team, Phil was part of British Cycling’s Major Events Team for 11 years, including two years as Major Events Development Manager, where he was responsible for the strategic development, governance, financial sustainability, growth and innovation for all the governing body’s major events. This depth of experience has meant he has been involved in major cycling events across most of the 13 major championships, including the Glasgow 2018 European Championships, 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships and the 2012 UCI BMX World Championships, that make up the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

Jonathan brings a wealth of international commercial, marketing and communications experience to his new role having been Commercial Director at British Cycling, where he led the organisation’s commercial partnerships. He was also Commercial & Marketing Director at BBC Children in Need, helping to lift the annual total raised from £49m to £60m in just two years; and was International Head of Marketing at Manchester United for five years where he lead a team that worked alongside over 45 international commercial partners.

Kate joins having played a key role in the successful delivery of the 2019 UCI Road World Championships in Yorkshire where she was Head of Operations. In the role she was responsible for the operational strategy, structure and the event-time team of more than 2,000 people delivering the championships’ operations. She was part of the organising committee for the London Olympics and subsequently Head of Events at Glasgow Life during the preparation and delivery of the 2014 Commonwealth Games. In Glasgow, she was responsible for the programme management of more than 30 major public events including the first use of the city’s race circuit for the British Road Race Championships in 2013.

Trudy Lindblade, 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships CEO, said: “I’m delighted to have Phil, Jonathan and Kate joining the Cycling Worlds senior management team. They each bring a wealth of experience to their respective roles, which will be invaluable as we develop our plans for delivering this historic event in 2023 and build a blueprint for future editions.  

“The 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships is more than just an event. It is a chance to make significant change by celebrating the unique power of the bike and all it brings to our everyday lives, whether it’s for our health and well-being, our environment, tourism or the economy. Through their individual roles, Phil, Jonathan and Kate will each play a leading role in championing this vision to ensure our ambition of delivering a truly innovative and unique event is met.”

Phil said: “I am very excited to be part of such an innovative and ambitious event. Glasgow and Scotland have a well-deserved global reputation for delivering world class events, and there is no doubt they will again provide the perfect stage for the world’s best cyclists across all 13 disciplines to perform and inspire.

“The potential of this event for cycling and the positive impact it aims to have on people’s behaviours is hugely inspiring. I’m looking forward to working with all the great partners across the country to showcase both theirs, and Scotland’s, ambition to the world.”

Jonathan said: The vision for 2023 is to deliver a unique international event that also showcases and inspires people to make cycling part of their everyday lives. This presents a fantastic opportunity to not only engage communities but also for domestic and international sponsors to partner with a truly purpose-led event at a time when cycling is booming.  I’m delighted to be part of this bold ambition and I look forward to working with Trudy, the Event Partners and wider stakeholders to deliver this vision.”

Kate said: “I’m delighted to be joining the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships team. I have worked on a variety of sport operations around the world and am looking forward to working in collaboration with our national partners to build an exceptional team and operation here in my home nation. It is a privilege to help deliver the world’s largest ever cycle event and promote the power of the bike.

Phil will take up his position on the 1 December 2020, with Jonathan and Kate starting on the 1 January 2021.

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the UCI Cycling World Championships will be the biggest single cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines into one mega event, for the first time.

The Championships is more than just an event. It will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

Underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy - the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland moving forward.

The Championships will be delivered in collaboration between the UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling and VisitScotland with its EventScotland team, with the partnership creating a blueprint for future editions by ensuring the inaugural event is authentic, innovative and distinctive.

Taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland in August 2023, the Championships is set to be the biggest single cycling event in history, bringing together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines into one mega event, for the first time.

The Championships is more than just an event and will celebrate the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our everyday lives, whether it’s physical and mental health benefits, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

Underpinned by four key policy drivers - participation, transport, tourism and economy - the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland moving forward.

Trudy’s strong background and experience working on complex large-scale major events, designed to support government ambitions to deliver social and economic change, makes her the ideal person for the job.

Currently the Head of Event Management at Visit Victoria, Trudy will bring a wealth of event experience to the position having spent more than 20 years leading, planning and delivering major events in Australia and around the world, working with government’s, local organising committees, event hosts and international and national sports federations in the process.

In particular, her work on cycling events spans over twelve years and includes senior roles at the 2010 UCI Road World Championships, the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships as well as Cycling Australia. 

More recently she has spent over seven years working for one of the world’s leading events acquisition groups, Victorian Major Events Company (VMEC), now Visit Victoria, and was  pivotal in the establishment of the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race in 2015, now the opening one-day race on the UCI WorldTour and UCI Women's WorldTour calendars.

Trudy also has a strong cultural events background, taking over the reins of the all-night festival ‘White Night Melbourne’ in 2017 and overseeing the creation of supporting regional White Night events.

As CEO of the Championships, Trudy will have overall executive responsibility for the planning and delivery of the event. She will report directly to the Chair of Championships Board and will manage all the senior management positions including the Director of Sport, Director of Operations and Director of Commercial, Marketing and Communications currently being recruited. Trudy will take up her position on 26 October 2020 and will relocate to Glasgow with her family from Melbourne, Australia.

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, said: “On behalf of all the partners, I would like to congratulate Trudy on her appointment as CEO of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and we look forward to welcoming her to Scotland very soon. This is another key milestone on our journey to the Championships and concludes a global search, much of which was undertaken at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

“Trudy’s vast event experience, particularly in delivering both UCI and mass participation cycling events, makes her the ideal candidate to establish and lead the Championships team. We have a bold ambition to use the event as a catalyst for significant change and progress in Scotland, by continuing to transform the nation and make cycling part of people’s normal, everyday lives and Trudy is the right person to help us achieve this.”

Trudy Lindblade said: “Playing a leading role in such an innovative and unique event will be a wonderful opportunity. This is particularly so as the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be the single biggest global cycling event to date, and one that has transformational change at its core bringing longer term benefits to Scotland through the areas of health, transport, education, sustainability and tourism.

“I look forward to working with all Event Partners as well as local towns and regions to showcase Scotland’s world class event delivery and tourism credentials to the world through the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”

Trudy’s appointment follows last week’s announcement of the five Non-Executive Directors and one Co-opted member to join the Championships Board of Directors. 

Rupert Dickinson, Alexandra Innes, David Hornby, Nick Peel and Susan Ahern have all taken up their roles as Non-Executive Directors on the Board, while five-times BMX and Track Cycling World Champion, Shanaze Reade, will also be joining the Board this month as a Co-Opted Board Member.

[Source: EventScotland] In three years, Glasgow and Scotland will open its arms and welcome the whole of the cycling world to its shores for the biggest single global cycling event in history – the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.

The vision of UCI President, David Lappartient, this historic and innovative event will bring together 13 existing individual World Championship cycling disciplines into one mega event for the first time.

However, the Championships is more than just an event and to mark the three-year milestone, a video showcasing the ambition and vision of the event has been released celebrating the unique power of the bike and all it can bring to our lives.

The humble bike has the power to help with so many aspects of everyday life, whether it’s physical and mental health, easing congestion on the road to help the environment, or simply making it easier for people to get around.

The video celebrates the uniqueness of the bike by showing cycling is not only a sport but also a leisure activity and a mode of transport; making it something that everyone can watch and enjoy but also participate in – whatever their age or motivation.

Underpinned by four key policy drivers – participation, transport, tourism and economy - the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will be a catalyst for behavioural change across Scotland from now until long after the event. By working in collaboration with cycling and wider partners to amplify and unify their existing work and activity, it will give everyone the opportunity to experience the freedom riding a bike can bring to your life. 

Paul Bush OBE, Chair of 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships and VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “On behalf of all the partners – Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, UK Sport and British Cycling – I am excited to share our vision and ambition for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships as we mark the three-year milestone until the event.

“From the outset, we knew we wanted to turn the traditional event delivery model on its head and put our policy ambitions for cycling in Scotland at the centre of our decision-making process alongside event delivery.

“By working in collaboration with cycling and wider partners to champion the unique power of the bike, the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will not only be a great event that reinforces Scotland’s reputation as the perfect stage for events, it will also be a catalyst for significant change and progress in Scotland – continuing to transform the nation and make cycling part of the normal, everyday lives of everyone.”

Since the event was awarded to Glasgow and Scotland last year, the world has united to face the threat and huge disruption of COVID-19 and while we continue to deal with the global pandemic and the tragedies that have unfolded, the increased use of bikes during the lockdown, has provided a vision of a future where the bike can provide solutions to issues such as congestion, pollution, health and fitness, and mobility.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “It’s testament to our reputation in staging major events that Scotland will host the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, the biggest global cycling event in history. This new event gives us a great opportunity to use the power of the bike to help meet our transport, health and environmental aims, as well as supporting the events industry through its recovery.

“As part of Scotland’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic we have seen thousands of people embrace the benefits of cycling, and I hope that the excitement generated as we build up to this major event will encourage even more people to get active on their bikes.”

The release of the video also reaffirms the commitment of the key partners – UCI, Scottish Government, Glasgow City Council and Glasgow Life, UK Sport, British Cycling, and VisitScotland together with its EventScotland team – to create a blueprint for how future events can be delivered taking policy led approach.

UCI President David Lappartient said: “This unique project for the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships carries with it the values of unity, sharing and openness, which are particularly relevant in the current troubled period due to the global health situation. Three years out from this mega event, which will bring together athletes from all disciplines in front of a large and enthusiastic audience from Scotland (Great Britain) and further afield, the UCI joins the organisers in celebrating this significant date in the countdown to what promises to be a one-of-a-kind cycling festival.”

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council said: “As a top five sporting city and world-leading festival and events destination, Glasgow is looking forward to welcoming thousands of athletes, participants, and spectators to our incredible city in three years’ time.

“The inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships will allow us to once again showcase Glasgow and Scotland on a global stage, further cementing our position as the perfect location for major events. However, more importantly, the event will also provide local cycling activation and a range of programmes for people to get involved in cycling and celebrate the power of the bike.

“We’re looking forward to the journey with all event partners over the next three years as we prepare to welcome the first-ever 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.”

Simon Morton, COO of UK Sport, said: “We are proud of our role in helping to bring major sporting events to the UK and I’m excited that our position as a destination of choice for world class competitions is continuing with what will undoubtedly prove an exciting spectacle for fans at home and abroad.

“Seeing the world’s elite cyclists competing in Scotland so soon after a hugely successful World Championships in Yorkshire last year will be a very special moment. I am convinced this event will provide a huge boost to cycling as a sport while also helping to create sporting moments which allow us to reach, inspire and unite more people across Scotland and beyond.” 

British Cycling Chair, Frank Slevin, said: “At British Cycling we know that major events provide a wonderful platform from which we can inspire so many more people to get on their bikes, whether that’s to race, ride with friends or simply get around. With just three years to go until the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, we are looking forward to working with our fellow event partners to ensure that the energy, enthusiasm and legacy of the Championships is felt all across Scotland for many years to come.”

[Source: EventScotland] Taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre on 5 March, guests gathered to see 18 individuals, businesses and events honoured for their contribution to the tourism sector.

Paisley Halloween Festival took home the Best Cultural Event or Festival award, while Salomon Skyline Scotland 2018 was named Best Sporting Event. The business events sector was also recognised, with The All-Energy Exhibition & Conference 2019, which took place at the Scottish Event Campus lifting the trophy for Best Business Event.

Edinburgh Festival Fringe 2018 was also recognised with the inaugural Inclusive Tourism accolade while Brigadier David Allfrey received the prestigious Johnstons of Elgin Silver Thistle Award for his exemplary work as Director of the Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo and his wider contributions to Scotland’s tourism and events industry.

There was also a special award for The 2019 Solheim Cup. The special recognition award was accepted by European Solheim Cup Director for the Ladies European Tour, Polly Clark with a video message from Team Europe Captain, Catriona Matthew.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, said: "The Scottish Thistle Awards are a fantastic celebration of our vibrant tourism and events industry. Last night's final was as always a special event, congratulations to all the nominees and winners. For the events industry I was delighted to see Paisley Halloween Festival, Salomon Skyline Scotland 2018 and The All-Energy Exhibition & Conference 2019 all come away winners as well as the special recognition for The Solheim Cup and Silver Thistle for Brigadier David Alfrey. All were truly deserving."

[Source: VisitScotland] The award for Innovation in Tourism, sponsored by Geotourist, went to Invisible Cities in recognition of their use of innovation to commit to the future of tourism in Scotland. Invisible Cities is a social enterprise that trains people who have experienced homelessness to become walking tour guides of their own city. Judges commended the business for playing a major part in social tourism, as well as the role the business plays in supporting staff to gain transferrable skills to move onto other roles.

“On behalf of the industry panel, I would like to extend a huge congratulations to all of the national winners of the 2019/20 Scottish Thistle Awards. These awards are firmly established within the tourism industry in Scotland and these winners should feel very proud to join the prestigious roll of honour that celebrates innovation, success and excellence in the Scottish hospitality and tourism sector,” said Rebecca Brooks, Chair of the Scottish Thistle Awards Industry Panel and VisitScotland Board Member.

The Scottish Thistle Awards are led by a panel of industry experts from several organisations including VisitScotland, Aberdeen City and Shire Tourism Awards, Highlands & Islands Tourism Awards, the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland, the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions, Scotland Food and Drink, Scottish Tourism Alliance, the Scottish Licensed Trade Association, sportscotland and Wild Scotland.

For the full list of winners from the Scottish Thistle Awards national final visit www.scottishthistleawards.co.uk.

Entries and nominations for 2020/2021 awards are now live! Could your business or event join this prestigious role of honour? To be in with a chance click here to enter free today.

Source: EventScotland] Applications for the position of Chief Executive Officer of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships close at midnight this Friday (24 January).
 
The successful candidate will have overall executive responsibility for the Championships by leading a world-class team in the planning and delivery of the event. The role requires strong leadership experience, a multi-disciplinary track record of overseeing mega sporting events, outstanding stakeholder relationships, an understanding of operating within public sector organisations, and an entrepreneurial spirit.
 
Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, said: “This is an exciting next step in the setting up of the organisation that will organise and deliver the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships here in Glasgow and Scotland. The Championships will be the biggest cycling event ever to take place, combining 13 existing individual cycling world championships into one mega event for the first time and needs a world-class leadership team to deliver our vision and ambition for the event. So, if you think you have what it takes to be part of the biggest cycling event in history then we want to hear from you before this Friday's deadline.”

Apply here