Scotland The Perfect Stage - 57

Scotland delivers on the world stage PAUL BUSH OBE Standing on the 18th green of Gleneagles PGA Centenary Course and watching Suzann Pettersen sink that putt to secure Team Europe’s Solheim Cup win was truly a special moment both personally and professionally. This event, a culmination of four years of hard work, has reinforced Scotland’s reputation as a world-leader in event delivery. Together with all the other regional and international events that have taken place this summer, including our five other women’s sports events and the Aberdeen Standard Investments Opening Event: LA Phil at Tynecastle, they have shown that Scotland really is the perfect stage for events. The Solheim Cup was the first time VisitScotland has taken responsibility for the delivery of a major event and I’d like to take this moment to thank all the people who have helped make it the best-ever hosted event. From all the departments across VisitScotland, especially the golf events team, to Scottish Government, our delivery partners IMG, Gleneagles, Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Golf, Transport Scotland, Police Scotland plus all our sponsors and the volunteers on the ground, everyone has worked in collaboration to ensure Scotland shined on the world stage. Solheim week also saw our sixth National Events Conference take place. This year’s conference was our best yet and having the opportunity to hold it alongside a major international event was really special. I was delighted to see so many colleagues from across Scotland’s events and festivals sector at Gleneagles for a day of lively debate and discussion. The conference also saw the Cabinet Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSP, launch a brand new report entitled ‘Co-designing a national events programme’, which reflects on the success of Scotland’s Year of Young People 2018. You can find out more about the report and where to access it on page 7 of this newsletter. On the Themed Years front we now turn our attention to Scotland’s Year of Coasts and Waters 2020, which is just around the corner. With a focus on unique, authentic experiences as well as responsible and safe engagement with our waters, I look forward to what this year brings for our sector. It has been a great couple of months of events and festivals but there is still plenty more to come in 2019 and I cannot wait. Enjoy the issue. Comment EventScotland is working to make Scotland the perfect stage for events by developing an exciting portfolio of sporting and cultural events. By investing in Scotland’s dynamic events industry through our specific funding programmes, including National, Beacon and International Events Funds, we are raising Scotland’s international profile and boosting the country’s economy by attracting more visitors to our shores. Below are just some of the events that have taken place in the recent months that have benefited from our support. EventScotland Highlights E ventScotland was proud to once again support the Opening Event of the Edinburgh International Festival. The free event attracted a capacity audience of 15,000 people of whom an estimated 70% were attending a classical music concert for the first time. The crowd, along with film industry stars Brian Cox and Mark Cousins, were treated to performances by the legendary conductor Gustavo Dudamel and the LA Philharmonic in the unique setting of Tynecastle Stadium, home to Hearts football team. The programme featured film music from Hollywood’s Golden Age – such as Vertigo and Casablanca – as well as a selection of much-loved John Williams soundtracks including Jurassic Park , Star Wars and E.T. The family-friendly programme, along with an earlier start time, appealed to younger audiences and families, which was a key focus for this year’s event, along with their schools and community’s engagement programme, which drew in a crowd of 2,500. eif.co.uk Aberdeen Standard Investments Opening Event: LA Phil at Tynecastle 2 August W ith around 150 performers, 7,000 visitors and over 50 stalls, this was a fantastic celebration of cultures from across the globe, from Venezuela to China, Nepal to Egypt, Pakistan to Poland and beyond! The third and final year of National Programme funding from EventScotland supported the Mela’s production, programming and marketing which, amongst other benefits, allowed the event to reach a wider audience across Aberdeenshire, Moray, Highlands, North Fife, Tayside and Angus. Crowds enjoyed a family-friendly day out with a wide selection of arts, crafts, food and entertainment on offer. melaaberdeen.org.uk Aberdeen Mela - One World Day 1 September