The initiative consolidates Glasgow Convention Bureau’s existing support around sustainability, legacy and community engagement into four connected pillars: Sustainable, Impactful, Equitable and Socially Responsible.

Through the programme, organisers can access UN Sustainable Development Goal workshops, guidance on greener delegate choices, connections to local charities and social enterprises, and support from the Glasgow Conference Impact Network to develop positive legacy activity linked to their event.

A new Community and Social Enterprise Map has also been developed to help delegates identify local organisations, tours, venues and suppliers whose income directly supports community initiatives. By signposting delegates to purpose-led enterprises during their free time, the initiative encourages delegate spending that benefits organisations whose primary goal is community impact.

Carron Tobin, Executive Director of the Scottish Community Tourism Network, said:

“SCOTO’s ambition is to recalibrate tourism to deliver for Scotland’s communities and our environment first and foremost. This vision is as important to urban communities as it is to rural, so we were delighted when the team in Glasgow suggested they host our first urban SCOTO Conference in March 2026.

SCOTO delegates benefitted from a day of Learning Exchanges, visiting inspirational Glasgow-based charities and social enterprises that do good in their community by benefitting from visitor or delegate spend.”

Aileen Crawford, Head of Tourism & Conventions at Glasgow Convention Bureau, added:

“The Scottish Community Tourism Conference is the ideal place to launch the In Glasgow, Meetings Mean More initiative. As the first urban location to host a Community Tourism conference, the Glasgow Convention Bureau were keen to embrace the ethos of community tourism by guiding delegates to spend with local enterprises that have a mission to do good in their community.”

Among the organisations featured is The National Piping Centre, an internationally recognised charity and cultural venue located in the heart of Glasgow.

Natalie Johnston, General Manager of The National Piping Centre, said:

“As a charity, The National Piping Centre exists to enrich lives through piping by preserving Scotland’s musical heritage while ensuring access to education and cultural expression for people of all backgrounds.”

Glasgow has built a strong international reputation for delivering conference legacy and measurable impact through collaboration with academia, charities, venues and government partners.

By presenting its impact support under a single client-facing framework, Glasgow Convention Bureau aims to make it easier for organisers to align their events with organisational values around sustainability, equity and social responsibility, while delivering tangible benefits to the host destination.