[Source: EventScotland] Recruitment is underway for the position of Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships along with four Independent Board Members.
 
The CEO will have overall executive responsibility for the Championships by leading a world-class team in the planning and delivery of the event. The role will require 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.

Four independent board members, including one to fulfil the role of Audit and Risk Committee Chair, are also being recruited to join the board alongside the nominated members of the event’s partner organisations. The successful candidates will ensure the highest level of governance and will support strategic decisions whilst also being part of this historic and innovative event.

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 delivery 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.”

Host City: Scotland will host the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023. Who were all the partners involved in securing this new event? Going forward, how important will partnership working be in creating and delivering this new event?

Paul Bush: The event is the vision of UCI President, David Lappartient, and we are extremely excited to be hosting the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships in 2023. We worked in collaboration with the Scottish Government, Glasgow Life, UK Sport and British Cycling to secure the event after the UCI announced its ambition to create this brand new cycling concept in 2018.

Collaboration will continue to be key amongst the current and future partners as we develop and deliver this event, especially as it will provide a visible focus to support the acceleration of a range of local and national policy initiatives across the areas such as of health, transport, sport and tourism.

Host City: Scotland has just successfully delivered The 2019 Solheim Cup, hailed the best-ever staged. How was it and what other major events has Scotland got on the horizon?

Paul Bush: I’m incredibly proud of what was delivered and could not have asked for a more thrilling finish! We set out four years ago to deliver an event that would take the Solheim Cup to the next level and Scotland has achieved that. Record crowds of more than 90,000 turned out to watch, making it the highest attended women’s golf event ever held in the UK.

We also set a new benchmark for accessibility and inclusion as well as the quality and scale of the infrastructure to support the event, including a dedicated family zone which significantly enhanced the event experience for parents bringing their children. It once again proved Scotland delivers on the international stage.

Looking ahead there’s lots to look forward to including the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup and the LEN European Short Course Swimming Championships both in Glasgow this November and December respectively. Next year Scotland hosts the UEFA EURO 2020 and World Men’s Curling Championships in Glasgow, LEN Junior Championships in Aberdeen and the Women’s British Open at Troon. Beyond that there is The 150^th Open at St Andrews in 2021, the Sprint World Orienteering Championships in Edinburgh in 2022 and the Orkney Island Games in 2023. Together with our annual portfolio of events and festivals, there’s a lot taking place in Scotland over the next few years.

Host City: What impact do you think the new P&J Live in Aberdeen will have on Scotland’s ability to host major events?

Paul Bush: Aberdeen’s brand-new events venue and arena, P&J Live, is going to have a big impact on Scotland’s events industry. It is a world-class venue and is the largest event complex in the North of Scotland with 48,000sqm of flexible event space and is expected to contribute an additional 4.5million visitors, £113 million of visitor spend and £63m net GVA to the Scottish economy.

Already the venue has attracted major artists and events, including most recently BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019, which will be broadcast live to millions watching on BBC One. It will be a great showcase for the venue, Aberdeen and Scotland.   

The VisitScotland Expo will also be held there next April. The two-day event is Scotland’s premier business to business travel trade event so again a great opportunity to showcase the venue and the region to key leisure buyers from all corners of the world.

Host City: Sports, business or cultural events – what is their relative importance to Scotland and how do you prioritise investment in each of these?

Paul Bush: All three types of events are equally important to us and it is not a question of prioritising investment in one type of event over another. We find taking a portfolio approach to events and festivals as outlined in our national events strategy works best for Scotland, our partners and the industry.

Taking this approach allows for a variety of large and small, fixed, recurring and one-off events to be identified and supported. It also ensures that over time a wide range of significant impacts can be delivered.

Host City: Scotland has hosted Host City since 2015. What are your expectations of Host City 2019 and its theme of “Innovate, Reformulate, Co-Create”?

Paul Bush: Scotland has a strong affinity with Host City and I’m delighted it’s returning to Glasgow for the 5^th consecutive year. I’m expecting another lively two days of thought provoking debate and discussion as we delve into this year’s theme, which is extremely relevant to the events industry as we need to continue to evolve and innovate in order to stay relevant especially in this ever-changing, dynamic and at times, unpredictable world.

[Source: Glasgow Life] British Athletics has today confirmed Glasgow as the host city for the 2020 British Indoor Season, with TWO major events being staged at the Emirates Arena in February.

The events will mark the start of the 2020 competition countdown to the Olympic and Paralympic Games. World class athletes will compete at Emirates Arena for the Müller Indoor Grand Prix on 15 February 2020, before the city hosts the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships for the first time ever between 22-23 February 2020, as athletes bid to qualify for March’s IAAF World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.

The Müller Indoor Grand Prix is the number one ranked Indoor meet in the world as the planet’s best athletes arrive in the city for an incredible afternoon of world-class sport.

Major Events Director for British Athletics, Cherry Alexander OBE, says Glasgow is the perfect venue for the 2020 Indoor Season: “The Müller Indoor Grand Prix will be best indoor event ever staged in Scotland, with athletics fans in for a treat as world stars come to town. Olympic and Paralympic year is always very special and I am sure that the atmosphere will be amazing at Emirates Arena.

“Staging the British Athletics Indoor Season in Glasgow truly reflects the UK-wide interest in our sport and I am proud that we are taking the SPAR British Indoor Championships to Scotland for the first time – it is long overdue. This announcement demonstrates the strength of collaboration between British Athletics and our home nations athletics partners”

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “Scotland is the perfect stage for events and I’m delighted Glasgow has been chosen to host this historic double-header. The city has a proud history of hosting athletics events as shown by the successful delivery of this year’s European Athletics Indoor Championships.

“Events play a key role in our visitor economy and these two outstanding athletics events in Glasgow next February reaffirms the Scotland’s position as a world-leading events destination.”

Billy Garrett, Director of Sport and Events at Glasgow Life said: “Glasgow is one of the world’s top five sporting cities and we’re proud to be the first Scottish host of the SPAR British Indoor Championships, as well as welcoming back the Müller Indoor Grand Prix to the city once again.

“Major events have a track record in getting more people, young and old, interested in sport and, as a city with a history of providing a strong legacy from sporting events, we have no doubt that these February 2020 events will have just as positive an impact.”

Guy Learmonth, Scottish and Great British Athlete, said: “It’s incredible – for British Athletics to share the SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships across the UK, and to bring it to Glasgow for the first time, it’s massive for Scottish athletes and for the fans. With the Müller Indoor Grand Prix as well, crowds are going to see world-class athletics over back-to-back weekends.

“2020 will be such an important year with the Olympics, so to have these events in Scotland act as a springboard for the IAAF World Indoor Championships and for Tokyo as well, it’s just such a good feeling. It’s back home, on my doorstep, so for Scottish Athletics and for Scotland to have this all here – we’ll all step up our game.

“I’ve won two British indoor titles – adding a third on home soil would be huge”.

Ahead of the Müller Indoor Grand Prix Glasgow and SPAR British Athletics Indoor Championships heading to Glasgow on 15 February and 22-23 February respectively, fans can register for news updates and ticketing information by signing up to the British Athletics mailing list via www.britishathletics.org.uk/events-and-tickets/2020-event-registration.

[Source: EventScotland] The city of Aberdeen is set to host BBC Sports Personality of the Year 2019, the biggest awards night in the sporting calendar, on December 15 live on BBC One from the brand-new events venue and arena, P&J Live.

This is the first time Aberdeen will host the event. The city is known for its sporting heritage as the birth place of Manchester United legend Denis Law and Open-winning golfer Paul Lawrie, and it is also home to Aberdeen FC, the club where Sir Alex Ferguson first made his name as a manager with such extraordinary success.

Presenters Gary Lineker, Clare Balding and Gabby Logan will take to the stage to celebrate a huge year of sport in front of an audience of 10,000 with millions more watching live on BBC One.

Paul Bush OBE, Director of Events, said: “I’m delighted the BBC has chosen Aberdeen’s brand-new venue, P&J Live, to host this year’s BBC Sports Personality of the Year Awards. This world-class venue along with Aberdeen’s sporting pedigree makes it the ideal venue for the awards. It has been a great year of sport and I look forward to celebrating all the amazing achievements in Aberdeen this December.”

Director of BBC Sport Barbara Slater said: “It’s been an extraordinary year of sport so far with many incredible moments and surely more to come. I have no doubt Aberdeen will be an excellent host city to help us celebrate them.”

Louise Stewart, Head of Entertainment at P&J Live commented: “This is a gamechanger for the venue and the city. We are ecstatic to be working with the BBC sports team and the wider Aberdeen stakeholder group on this flagship event. Hosting an event such as this was absolutely at the forefront of the city’s vision when planning this transformational project.”

More organisers and owners of the greatest events in the world are joining the world class speaker line up of Host City 2019, the largest meeting of cities and sports, business and cultural events.

They tackle a hard-hitting agenda with topics including sustainability, disruption, gender equality, creating impact, procurement, readiness, fan engagement, titanic disasters and herculean achievements.

New speaker confirmations include IOC Members:

Marisol Casado, President, International Triathlon Union (ITU) and IOC Member

Sir Craig Reedie GBE, President, World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA) and IOC Member

organising/bid committee leaders:

Claude Atcher, CEO, Rugby World Cup France 2023

Markus Stenger, Managing Director, DFB EURO 2024

Roberto Daneo, Coordinator of Milan-Cortina 2026 Candidature File and Games Operations Expert

rights holders of sports, esports, business and cultural events:  

Debbie Jevans CBE, Executive Chair, English Football League

Russell Samuel, VP, Marketing and Creative, Viacom Velocity

Alban Dechelotte, Head of Sponsorships and Business Development EU Esports, Riot Games

Kate Sadleir, General Manager, Women’s Rugby, World Rugby

Michael D'hulst, co-founder and CEO, Super League Triathlon

Signe Lopdrup, CEO, Roskilde Festival Group (or representative)

in addition to world leading experts and service providers:

David de Behr, Head of Sales, Aggreko Event Services

Ken Scott, Head of Inspectorate, Sports Ground Safety Authority

Jonathan Gray, Senior Partner, Global Head of Sport and Major Events, Control Risks

David Tunnicliffe, Commercial Director, GL events UK

They join a line-up of great speakers already announced including leaders of the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games Organising Committee, Expo 2020 Dubai, several International Federations and event hosts, with more organising committees to be announced.

Host City is delivered with support from EventScotland, its primary Supporting Partner.

Exhibition stands and delegate passes are selling fast, so register today!

To sponsor or exhibit contact adam.soroka@hostcity.com

For speaking and other enquiries contact ben.avison@hostcity.com

About Host City

Host City Expo & Conference brings together cities and sports, business and cultural events for two full days of unrivalled insight, networking, workshops and business on 26-27 November at the Technology & Innovation Centre in Glasgow.

This is where representatives of host destinations, federations and other rights holders, organisers, event suppliers and services from all over the world meet to discover opportunities and discuss the challenges of major event hosting. Participants are encouraged to use Host City as a platform to develop, workshop and announce new events, partnerships and formats.

This year’s Strategic Partners include the International Association of Event Hosts (IAEH), the Association of Global Event Suppliers (AGES), the European Sponsorship Association (ESA) and European Stadium & Safety Management Association (ESSMA).

Host City is delivered with support from EventScotland, its primary Supporting Partner.

www.hostcity.com

Can Scotland go Dutch? That’s the question British Cycling Policy Manager, Nick Chamberlin, will put to delegates when he speaks at this year’s National Events Conference on 9th September at Gleneagles Hotel.

Joining a stellar line-up of internationally renowned speakers and presenters, Nick’s presentation, “Let’s change the way we move – Can Scotland go Dutch?” will highlight the unique opportunity available to Scotland in hosting the biggest ever festival of cycle sport: the inaugural 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships. Will this ground-breaking major event create the chance for Scotland to follow in the footsteps of Holland and become a cycling nation?

Nick said: “I’m delighted to be speaking at this year’s National Events Conference. In 2023 Scotland will once again welcome the world and deliver another ground-breaking major event, the UCI Cycling World Championships, but does the event offer more than just a great spectator experience? I look forward to discussing with delegates the opportunity for Scotland to follow the example of the Dutch and embrace cycling for everyone and to adopt transport polices to allow short car journeys to be replaced with bikes instead.”

With just under a month to go, Nick is the latest speaker to confirm his attendance at the flagship industry conference for the Scottish events & festivals sector, which will address the theme Embracing Innovation, Delivering Change. Other confirmed keynote speakers include:

• Bruce Dewar, CEO & President Lift Philanthropy Partners
• Dr Beatriz Garcia, Director, Impacts 18 / European Capital of Culture Research Programme
• Helen Marriage MBE, Director, Artichoke
• Fiona Hyslop MSP, Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs,
• Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland Director of Events

There is also a range of breakout sessions with sector experts covering up-to-the-minute topics relevant to the industry, including:

• Events and Sustainability with Jonathan Smith, GEO Foundation Founder & Executive Director and consultant to The Solheim Cup, Dan Withall, Royal Edinburgh Military Tattoo Property Manager, and Lachlan Kirk, Resource Efficient Scotland Implementation Advisor.
• Visitor & Audience Trends with Chris Greenwood, VisitScotland Senior Tourism Insight Manager, and Cimeon Ellerton, The Audience Agency Chief Product Officer
• Broadcast Innovation with Jason Wessely, Sky Sports Golf Executive Producer, Jack McGill, CEO QTV, and Ali Russell, Formula E Director of Media & New Business
• Data Drive Innovation with Joshua Ryan-Saha, University of Edinburgh’s Data Driven Innovation Lead for Tourism & Festivals, Lyndsey Jackson, Deputy CEO Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society, Oliver Davis, Edinburgh Festival Fringe Society Head of Marketing & Development, and James McVeigh, Festivals Edinburgh Head of Marketing and Innovation

With the conference taking place alongside the 2019 Solheim Cup - the biggest women’s golf event in the world - conference delegates will have the unique opportunity to go on a ‘behind the scenes’ tour and hear from some of the key people delivering this major international event.

The conference will provide delegates with a first-class opportunity to hear from experts, network with industry peers and share their event experiences, plus enjoy the fabulous surrounds of the Gleneagles resort. As part of the delegate pass, there are free courtesy coaches from Edinburgh, Glasgow, Aberdeen and Dundee.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “I’m delighted to have Nick join us at this year’s National Events Conference to share his insights into how Scotland can capitalise on the amazing opportunity the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships presents beyond just delivering a world-class event.

“This year’s conference is shaping up to be one of the best yet and to have the opportunity to host it within a major international event is something truly special. With places selling fast, I urge anyone in Scotland’s events and festivals sector who is yet to sign up to do so now. It promises to be a great day filled with lots of helpful information and insight as well as a great opportunity to network with industry peers in the amazing surrounds of Gleneagles Hotel.”

Delegate places cost £145 + VAT and can be paid online or by invoice. With only a few weeks left before registration closes, remaining places are selling fast so make sure you BOOK NOW to secure your spot and preferred breakout choices. Visit www.nationaleventsconference.scot

[Source: EventScotland] BT Sport and Premier Sports presenter, Emma Dodds, is set to host this year’s National Events Conference at Gleneagles Hotel on Monday 9 September, joining a stellar line-up of confirmed speakers and presenters, including Bruce Dewar, Dr Beatriz Garcia and Helen Marriage MBE.

An established sports presenter and media professional who has worked for an array of broadcasters, Emma’s extensive experience across flagship sporting events makes her the ideal host for the Conference, which will take place alongside the world’s greatest women’s golf event – The 2019 Solheim Cup.

Emma’s experience includes the Summer and Winter Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, Football and Rugby World Cups as well as Golf Majors, Tennis Grand Slams, and the FIS Alpine Skiing World Cup.

She said: “I’m delighted to be hosting the 2019 National Events Conference at the world renowned Glenealges Hotel. There is a great line-up of speakers and presenters and sitting alongside The 2019 Solheim Cup, the conference will be a great opportunity to look across the events landscape and see the opportunities and challenges that are facing it. I look forward to seeing you there.”

Designed for those working to create, deliver and support Scotland’s cultural and sporting events, the conference will consider innovation, change, future opportunities and challenges across the sector under the title, Embracing Innovation, Delivering Change.

With over half of the tickets sold, don’t miss this first-class opportunity to hear from industry experts, share your own experiences and meet industry colleagues all the while enjoying the fabulous surroundings of the Gleneagles resort.

For further information, including the full programme of speakers and breakout sessions, and to secure your delegate place NOW please click here.

[Source: VisitScotland] Scotland is one of the world’s leading event destinations and this summer it will reaffirm its position as it shines a spotlight on women’s sport.

Over the next three months the country will play host to six European and international sporting events kicking off with the UEFA Women’s U19 European Championship in July and culminating in the biggest event in women’s golf, The 2019 Solheim Cup in September.

The country will also host the Women’s Eurohockey Championships II, the inaugural Women’s Tour of Scotland, The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open and the ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup T20 Global Qualifier during the summer months.

To mark the occasion, VisitScotland and its EventScotland team gathered players from each event to celebrate this special summer of women’s sport and showcase Scotland is leading the way in the development and promotion of world-class women’s sporting events.

Solheim Cup Team Europe Captain, Catriona Matthew, met with Scotland cricketer, Samantha Haggo, along with Katie Archibald, Women’s Tour of Scotland ambassador and Commonwealth, World and Olympic Cycling Champion; Becky Ward, Scotland’s Hockey Vice Captain and Scotland Under 19’s football player Michaela McAlonie to commemorate this occasion.

Talking about this unprecedented summer of women’s sport, Catriona Matthew, Solheim Cup Team Europe Captain said: “It is incredibly exciting that The 2019 Solheim Cup will be the culmination of a terrific year for women’s sport in Scotland, showcasing the very best of a range of sports across a number of events. There is no doubt that women’s sport is benefitting from an enhanced profile both domestically and globally and it is fitting that The Solheim Cup and golf plays a huge part of that in the country which gave the game to world. I hope the Scottish public turn out in force to support our world-class athletes, not just at Gleneagles in September but across all of our women’s sports events.”

VisitScotland’s Director of Events, Paul Bush OBE, said: “2019 is a big year for women’s sport with Scotland providing the perfect stage over the next three months for six key events on the international sporting calendar. As a world-leading events destination we have a proud history of supporting and championing women’s sporting events. From hosting the largest women’s annual golf event on the Ladies European Tour to supporting showcase events for national teams, we continue to shine a spotlight and build on the momentum shift behind women’s sport.

The Scottish summer of women’s sporting events are, in chronological order:

Football: UEFA Women's U19 European Championship - 16 – 28 July

In the aftermath of the FIFA Women’s World Cup, Scotland will be hosting UEFA’s flagship European Championship Youth Tournament, the Women’s Under 19 European Championship, which aims to expose talented youth footballers to elite level competition in preparation for stepping up to the senior stage to represent their country. Taking place across four professional football stadiums in Scotland - the grounds of St. Johnstone FC (Perth), Stirling Albion FC, Partick Thistle FC (Glasgow) and St. Mirren FC (Paisley) - Scotland will be joined by Belgium, England, France, Germany, Netherlands, Norway, and current holders Spain as they all compete for the trophy, which will be lifted by the winner on Sunday 28 July.

Michaela McAlonie said: “This has already been an exciting summer for Scottish women’s football, and will now culminate with the Women’s Under-19s Euros.

“Scotland has shown in the past that it can host world class events and this one will be no different.

“The players can’t wait to play in front of a passionate home crowd and hopefully the country gets behind us, like they did for the ‘A’ squad’s World Cup debut in France.

“Young girls now have female footballing role models and hopefully over the course of July we can continue to help inspire the next generation.”

For more information, including tickets, visit https://www.scottishfa.co.uk/scottish-fa/wu19s-european-championships/

Hockey: Women’s Eurohockey Championship II - 4 – 10 August

Held every two years, the Women’s Eurohockey Championship Division II will see eight nations compete to join the first division and rank amongst the best in Europe. Featuring 20 matches spread over seven days at the Glasgow National Hockey Centre, the iconic legacy venue of the 2014 Commonwealth Games, all eyes will be on team Scotland as they go up against Wales, Czech Republic, Italy, Poland, Ukraine, Austria and Turkey to gain promotion to the top tier and avoid relegation to the 3^rd league.  Scotland matches are due to take place at 17:00 Sunday 04 August, 18:00 Tuesday 06 August and 19:00 Wednesday 07 August ahead of a final on Saturday 10 August.

Becky Ward, Scotland Vice-Captain, said: “It’s such a big year for Scottish women’s sport and to have a massive women’s hockey tournament in Glasgow is amazing. The squad can’t wait to play at home and I hope there will be a great support cheering us on, as well as all the athletes across the other sports events in Scotland this summer. It’s really exciting to be part of it and the tournament will play a big part in promoting women’s sport in Scotland, and beyond.”

To find out more and get tickets, visit https://www.scottish-hockey.org.uk/womens-eurohockey-championship-ii/

Cycling: Women’s Tour of Scotland - 9 – 11 August

The Women’s Tour is a new and permanent fixture on the professional cycling calendar. This year’s inaugural the three-day, three stage 350km Tour will take place on Friday 9 – Sunday 11 August. Starting from Dundee’s iconic waterfront area, the 103km opening stage will take in the Tay Road Bridge and travel down through the Kingdom of Fife to finish in Pittencrief Park, Dunfermline. Stage Two is a 139.4km route departing on Saturday 10 August 2019 from Glasgow’s George Square, sweeping through The Trossachs and finishing in the centre of Perth.

The final stage will start and finish in the beautiful setting of Holyrood Park, the famous Royal Park in central Edinburgh.  The 118.3km stage will include three Queen of the Mountain climbs.

Katie Archibald MBE, Commonwealth, World and Olympic Champion and Women’s Tour of Scotland ambassador, said: “I can’t wait for the summer. To be riding my bike in a professional women’s bike race in Scotland is so exciting. I’m really looking forward to taking part and hopefully there will be plenty of people out on the roads supporting us. 

“Not only do we have the Women’s Tour of Scotland for the next few years taking place every August, but with the World Championships coming to Scotland in a few years, I think the enthusiasm for the sport in our country is only going to grow.”

To find out more, visit https://womenstourofscotland.com/

Golf: The Aberdeen Standard Investments Ladies Scottish Open – 8 – 11 August

The co-sanctioned ASI Ladies Scottish Open is one of the premier events on the Ladies European Tour and the LPGA. It will be held at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick for the first time just three weeks after the men’s Scottish Open. Tickets for this event are FREE and it is the final qualifying event for players looking to make Team Europe ahead of The 2019 Solheim Cup.

To find out more, visit https://ladiesscottishopen.com/

Cricket: ICC Women’s Cricket World Cup T20 Global Qualifier - 31 August – 7 September

The Women's T20 World Cup Global Qualifier will take place in Dundee and Angus. The event is the final global qualifier for the T20 Women's World Cup, which is being staged in Australia next year. The qualifier will see eight teams - Scotland, Netherlands, Ireland, Papa New Guinea, Thailand, USA, Zimbabwe, and Bangladesh – compete for the final two qualifying places at next year tournament.

Samantha Haggo, Scotland cricketer, said: “2019 has been a big year for us and we're really excited to be hosting the ICC Women’s T20 World Cup Global Qualifier in Dundee and Angus.

“In the past, the qualifier has been held in places such as Thailand and Sri Lanka so we're looking forward to being able to play in our own backyard this time around and will be aiming to capitalise on our home advantage.

“We've been working really hard on our skills over the past 12 months, never losing sight of our goal of reaching our first ever World Cup. The girls can't wait to get going and hope that people get behind us and come to watch.

“Women's cricket is one of the world's fastest growing sports and so this is a great opportunity for people to see what we're about and the skills we have to offer.”

Entry will be free for all games. For more information, visit www.cricketscotland.com

Golf: Solheim Cup - 9 – 15 September (comp days 13 – 15)

Hosted by VisitScotland, The 2019 Solheim Cup aims to be the biggest ever European edition of the event and the most family-focused golf event in history, with around 100,000 spectators expected at Gleneagles in September. It is the pinnacle of women’s golf with the best players from Europe and the USA going head-to-head in match play formation. The 16^th edition promises to be one of the highlights on the women’s world sporting calendar in 2019.

To find our more and get tickets, visit https://www.solheimcup2019.com/

One of the world’s leading influencers in policy innovation around major events, Bruce Dewar, has been confirmed as the first of two keynote speakers for this year’s National Events Conference: Embracing Innovation, Delivering Change.

Bruce, a key IOC advisor on legacy development and President and CEO of Vancouver based LIFT Philanthropy Partners, will provide the Scottish events and festivals sector with valuable insight into the importance of developing and delivering wider policy impacts as part of major events during his presentation ‘The Game is Changing: Policy Innovation and Social Impact for Major Events’.

He comes with a wealth of experience in social innovation having helped British Columbia leverage the hosting of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games into a lasting legacy for the region through 2010 Legacies Now; known now as LIFT.

Bruce said: “Hosting major events can provide so much more than just a great spectator experience. They can be the catalyst for long-term social change, creating benefits and impact on issues that are important to the citizens in the host community and the country.

“Over the last decade I have seen first-hand game changing social impacts and the importance of policy innovation. I’m looking forward to coming to Gleneagles this September to share some of my learnings and insight with the vibrant Scottish event industry.”

He joins Cabinet Secretary for Culture, Tourism and External Affairs, Fiona Hyslop, who will deliver the day’s opening remarks, setting the scene for the day, and VisitScotland Director of Events, Paul Bush OBE, as the other confirmed speakers at the conference.

Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop said: “Scotland’s has built a strong reputation as a leader and innovator in the planning and delivery of major events. As we gear up to deliver our next major event, The 2019 Solheim Cup, there is no better time or place than Gleneagles for the industry to come together to forge new partnerships and to make future plans to help ensure that Scotland continues to be the perfect stage for the world’s major events.” 

Aimed at people working in Scotland’s events and festivals sector, including the arts, heritage, sport and wider cultural activity, this will be the sixth biennial National Events Conference. Building on the success of previous years, this year’s conference will consider innovation and change, plus future opportunities and challenges across the sector.

It will provide up to 250 delegates with a first-class opportunity to hear from industry experts and share their own event experiences, plus plenty time to meet industry colleagues.

Taking place at the world-renowned Gleneagles Hotel on 9^th September, the conference will kick off an action week of the Scottish events and festivals industry as it runs alongside The 2019 Solheim Cup, the pinnacle of women’s golf.

The Solheim Cup will see the best golfers from Europe and the USA go head-to-head over three days of intense competition, attracting tens of thousands of spectators and reaching a global broadcast audience in the millions. Conference delegates will have the unique opportunity to see behind the scenes of one of the biggest sporting events in Scotland this year.

Paul Bush OBE, said: “As the world’s eyes turn to Scotland once again, the National Events Conference will kick off a stellar week for Scotland’s events and festivals industry ahead The 2019 Solheim Cup.

“I’m delighted we will be joined by both Culture Secretary Fiona Hyslop and Bruce Dewar as we consider innovation and change as well as the future opportunities and challenges for our sector. I know Bruce will provide some fascinating first-hand knowledge and insight on social innovation and the importance of delivery social legacies from major sporting events, which is an important area for our industry as we look to deliver more meaningful impacts beyond the field of play when hosting major events.”

Tickets for the conference are now available, with a limited number of early bird delegate places available at the discounted rate of £90 + VAT. To register and take advance of the early bird off, visit www.nationaleventsconference.scot.

[Source: EventScotland] Events professionals are being offered exclusive behind-the-scenes access to one of the world’s biggest women’s sporting events with the launch of the official Observer Programme for The 2019 Solheim Cup, taking place from 9 – 15 September at Gleneagles in Perthshire.

The Observer Programme for The Solheim Cup, the biggest and most prestigious event in women’s golf, will take place on the 10^th and 11^th September at Gleneagles and will provide participants with an exclusive opportunity to gain valuable insight into how Scotland has planned and delivered the major sporting event.  

It will include a range of information sessions covering the core functional areas, as well as visits across the site during which participants will hear first-hand from those who have played a leading role in the event’s planning and delivery, including IMG who have the responsibility for staging and promoting the event on behalf of The Scottish Government and VisitScotland. Observers will also learn about some of the challenges faced, how these have been overcome and how best practice has been adopted.

Open to event professionals and organisers, the programme will be of interest to potential Solheim Cup venues and hosts, key players in the sport and event industry, and those with responsibility for major events including rights holders, national governing bodies of sport and other national agencies.

Paul Bush OBE, VisitScotland’s Director of Events, said: “The 2019 Solheim Cup Observer Programme is a fantastic opportunity to get a comprehensive ‘behind the scenes’ look at one of the biggest and most exciting events in women’s sport. Participants will not only be able to experience how the event is delivered but will also benefit from invaluable knowledge sharing and best practice. I would highly encourage those interested to register today.”

The Solheim Cup is the pinnacle of women’s golf and will see the best golfers from Europe and the USA go head-to-head in the most exciting, competitive format in golf. This year, the event will take place at Gleneagles from 9 – 15^th September and is anticipated to be the biggest European edition of the biennial tournament to date. 

It will be the third time Scotland has hosted the prestigious event and is part of Scotland’s ongoing commitment to the development and promotion of the women’s game having hosted the likes of Women’s British Open, The Curtis Cup and the Aberdeen Standard Investments (ASI) Ladies Scottish Open as part of its diverse major events portfolio.

The 2019 Solheim Cup will showcase the stunning assets of Scotland, the Home of Golf, and will also build on the legacy of the successful 2014 Ryder Cup at Gleneagles. The event aims to be the most inclusive and family-orientated ever, and will focus on driving junior and family participation, inspiring the next generation of children in Scotland to take up the game.

More details available at: https://static.visitscotland.com/pdf/sc2019observerprogramme.pdf

The closing date for booking is 30th June.

Cost of the programme is £550/pp and includes a drinks reception and dinner on Tuesday 10^th  September, and one night’s accommodation, breakfast and lunch at The Gleneagles Hotel on the 11^th September.

For more information and to book your place on the Observer Programme, please email anais.armengaud@eventscotland.org