VisitAberdeenshire attends transatlantic virtual trade show hosted by VisitBritain
22 June 2020
VisitAberdeenshire’s Aberdeen Convention and Events Bureau has exhibited at a virtual international trade show organised by VisitBritain.
The MeetGB Virtual event brought UK destinations and convention bureaus, industry suppliers, venues, hotels and destination management companies (DMCs) together in a digital conference layout, with VisitAberdeenshire hosting an exhibition stand for attendees.
Last week’s event was geared toward the North American market, with scheduled appointments late into the night designed to cater to varying time zones.
Head of Convention and Events Bureau Laurie Scott attended the exhibition. He said: “This year’s MeetGB event was unlike previous versions for obvious reasons, but it is more important than ever to promote Aberdeen’s business events capacity on an international scale.
“We’re taking part in Events like MeetGB to keep the city front of mind when buyers are contemplating future events. In 2019, the Bureau submitted 34 bids for new business, with a value of £30.5m and 104,410 bed nights, so it is imperative we keep momentum up to convert interest in the city into secured business.
“As the business events space evolves in response to COVID-19, virtual exhibitions are a suitable temporary means of meeting, but the sector genuinely looks forward to meeting in person when it is possible to do so. Face-to-face meetings with potential buyers are always going to be the preferred option, but the virtual version of MeetGB was an effective way to bring delegates together in current circumstances.”
The show’s digital format will be repeated this Wednesday with appointments targeted to European and UK buyers.
Mr Scott continued: “Next week we’ll be meeting with UK and European representatives and we look forward to further highlight Aberdeen as a host city to the global events industry.”