Why Glasgow
More North America based Meeting Planners are choosing Glasgow for their next conference or association event, than ever before. Find out why here…
Glasgow delivers everything on your decision-making checklist, whilst offering you and your delegates all that the wonderful setting of Scotland has to offer.
Here's our 7 reasons why US Meeting Planners are choosing Scotland's vibrant cultural capital:
1) Access is Easy
Fly Direct
Glasgow is a well-connected city, accessible by 3 airports (Glasgow, Glasgow Prestwick and Edinburgh) with direct flights from major US hubs - New York (JFK, EWR), Chicago (ORD), Boston (BOS), Washington D.C. (IAD), Atlanta (ATL), and Orlando (MCO), making it easy to get here, coast to coast.
For delegates choosing to take advantage of US Preclearance, situated at Dublin airport, there are 8 flights per day with the journey time being just 1 hour. Glasgow also benefits from direct flights to most of Europe’s major cities, all of which are around 1.5-2hrs max flight time away.
2) Experience You Can Count On
North American Growth
Glasgow has built a solid reputation as a destination of choice for North American Meeting Planners, hosting 72 US based Associations in the past 10 years, which represents a 44% market share across Scotland.
Major Successes
The Genetic Society of America held its first meeting outside the USA in Glasgow, attracting over 1,700 delegates—well above the expected 1,200. The American Geophysical Union will host its Ocean Science Meeting in Glasgow in 2026, again marking the very first time they have hosted outside of continental North America. Furthermore, Glasgow was officially awarded the status of “IEEE: Cities We Love”, which speaks to the relationship we have with them, over the course of more than 30 years of delivering IEEE meetings.
This was the first meeting that GSA has held outside of North America. We are so pleased that we selected Glasgow! The support given to us for every aspect of the meeting was exemplary from the Glasgow Convention Bureau, Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow Science Centre and all the vendors that were hired. The final attendance figures were beyond our expectations. The positive, helpful attitude of everyone that we interacted with made the experience truly memorable for the staff and the delegates.
3) A Warm Welcome Awaits
A Safe Destination
Scotland consistently ranks among the world's safest destinations, with Glasgow leading the way in urban safety initiatives and was recently named “First in Europe for Openness, Tolerance and Trust” by the European Commission.
Welcoming Spirit
Glaswegian’s open and welcoming nature, combined with the city’s vibrant and inclusive atmosphere has earned it global recognition as the “Friendliest City in the World,” making it a premier destination for international events.
Scotland’s Cultural Capital
As a UNESCO City of Music and former European Capital of Culture, Glasgow blends creativity, innovation, and authentic Scottish hospitality. The city’s progressive values and strong commitment to social impact resonate with the principles of modern associations, offering a trusted, forward-thinking environment for global collaboration.
4) Support That Goes Beyond The Standard
Your Trusted Partner
Glasgow’s Convention Bureau isn’t just a support service—it’s your on-the-ground partner. From the moment you choose Glasgow, our expert team works alongside you to deliver a seamless experience, offering full-spectrum support from venue sourcing to marketing strategy. Our trusted suppliers are well-versed in international standards, and our hands-on approach ensures every detail of your event not only meets expectations—but exceeds them.
Unrivalled Support
We have a wealth of completely free and impartial support for you and your delegates. From access to City Subvention Funding, to Drinks Receptions hosted by our Lord Provost, to Public Transport discounts and bespoke delegate offers in shops, bars and restaurants, we offer unrivalled support to ensure your conference is a success. Factor in our favorable exchange rate, comprehensive venue packages, and available incentives, and the value proposition becomes compelling.
5) Your Housing Needs, Covered
Accommodation For All
Glasgow has almost 11,000 hotel beds within 2 miles of the Downtown area of the City, made up of a vibrant mix of trusted global brands – Hilton, Marriott, IHG, Radisson and authentically unique boutique Scottish style properties, only to be found here in Glasgow, giving something to suit all tastes.
Conference-Ready Hotels
Furthermore our accommodation stock is built to serve our conference community, with 1 in 4 bed nights booked being that of a conference delegate. As such, our hotel inventory is mainly in the 4 and 3 star bracket, delivering both affordable room rates and quality standards.
Seamless Logistics
We provide complimentary room block booking — ensuring delegate availability without financial exposure at the early planning stages. Our team manages logistics so you can focus on delivering a flawless event.
6) We Speak Your Language… Just with a wee accent!
Communication, Made Easy
In Scotland, we speak English as standard, although we must admit to having our own take on it! This makes communication with our clients based in the US simple and straightforward as there is no language barrier.
Time Zone Advantage
Given our geographical position is one of the closest to mainland East Coast USA, we also benefit from only being at most 5 or 6 hours in front of you, meaning we can still have calls even early into the afternoon with US based clients, again making the lines of communication so much easier.
7) The Magic of Scotland
Scotland Awaits
Organising a conference in Glasgow presents an excellent opportunity for delegates to discover the magic of Scotland; where history, culture, and natural beauty blend seamlessly.
Unforgettable Experiences
Explore ancient castles, vibrant cities, and incredible landscapes from the breath-taking Highlands and serene lochs to the rugged coastlines and picturesque islands, Scotland’s natural beauty is unparalleled. Destinations like the Isle of Skye, Loch Ness, and the Cairngorms National Park offer spectacular scenery and outdoor adventures.
Golf, whisky, lochs and mountains . . .
See you in Glasgow, soon!
Glasgow is a tried and tested partner, ready to deliver bespoke, impactful support to you and your delegates to help you deliver a truly memorable event in the World’s Friendliest City.
If you want to experience this first hand, contact us – [email protected]