Food and drink conference to inspire Scotland’s best
World renowned chef Albert Roux will spur on Scotland’s food and drink experts to even greater success in 2014 when he addresses delegates at the Going Places with Scotland’s Food and Drink Industry Conference, Perth Concert Hall on 5 March.
2014 is the perfect stage to showcase Scotland as a Land of Food and Drink as we play host to the 2014 Commonwealth Games, 2014 Ryder Cup and celebrate the second year of Homecoming Scotland. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the food and drink industry to get involved and capitalise on new business opportunities towards achieving its ambitious target to grow the market to £16.5bn by 2017.
Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and the Environment, Richard Lochhead, and Scotland Food & Drink chief executive, James Withers, will join the Michelin star chef as he delivers the keynote speech to ambitious food and drink manufacturers and producers looking to grow their business at home and abroad.
The event is a partnership between Perth & Kinross Council, Scottish Enterprise, Scotland Food & Drink, and SAC Food and Drink, and is the first in a series of conferences to run as part of the Scottish Cities Alliance Global Excellence Conference Programme showcasing Scotland’s sectoral excellence on a global scale. Scotland Food & Drink’s AGM will precede the event.
Delegates will be provided with insights from leading industry figures on how to develop their businesses through innovation, collaboration, exporting, up-skilling or diversification.
Rural Affairs Secretary Richard Lochhead said:
“Scotland’s deserved reputation as a Land of Food and Drink is a result of the fantastic variety of high quality products that we have to offer – something which Albert Roux, one of the world’s top chefs, has spoken of many times. And, with a truly global event in The Ryder Cup coming to Perthshire this year, I’m particularly pleased that we are discussing the world renowned reputation of Scotland’s food and drink in Perth.
“I recently launched the Market Driven Supply Chains strategy, a £1.6 million project to help promote exports of Scottish food and drink as we seek to build on the sector’s good name and build the brand. There is much more to come from a sector which has established itself as one of Scotland’s key economic drivers and the opportunity for key players to share ideas, best practice and discuss potential link ups can only help push the industry forward.”
James Withers, Scotland Food & Drink chief executive said:
“Events like this provide an excellent platform for those in the food and drink industry to share opportunities both at home and abroad and grow their long-term aspirations regardless of the size or scale of their business.
“Having a chef as renowned at Albert Roux attest to the quality of Scotland’s produce will provide a boost to all of us in the food and drink sector as we strive to deliver our ambitious industry targets and solidify our status as a Land of Food and Drink.”
Linda McPherson, Senior Director Food & Drink, Tourism and Textiles, Scottish Enterprise said:
“Scottish Enterprise is committed to supporting Scottish companies as they continue to strive for excellence and we have a unique opportunity to help Scottish businesses grow in 2014 as we host a series of major global events.
“This event will provide a fantastic opportunity for Scottish producers and manufacturers to hear from a world leading chef and share best practice with others across the industry.”
Councillor John Kellas, Convener of Perth & Kinross Council’s Enterprise and Infrastructure Committee, said:
“I look forward to seeing food and drink producers from across Scotland visit Perth for this event to benefit from all the advantages of sharing and learning from the experiences of others. This event is particularly welcome in Perth and Kinross where we have a strong record of food and drink production on both a small and large scale, and I hope that many of our local producers will take the opportunity to attend.”
During the conference delegates will be given the opportunity to attend workshops hosted by a range of producers both large and small in order to exchange ideas and best practices. These workshops will cover everything from how to enhance your digital presence and develop a new customer base to growing your business through exports.
For more information on the conference or to register to attend the event please visit: https://www.registerforevent.co.uk/goingplaces/ . If you would also like to register for the AGM please visit: https://www.registerforevent.co.uk/scotlandfoodanddrinkagm/.
Scottish Cities Global Excellence Conference Programme 2014/15
2014 will be a year like no other for Scotland. It will not only hold its second year of Homecoming but will play host to two of the most high profile sporting events in the world – The Commonwealth Games and the Ryder Cup.
Between them they provide unparalleled opportunities, not only to attract tourists and tourism to Scotland, but to maximise the business and economic benefits these international events can offer.
In conjunction with the Scottish Cities Alliance, which has a focus on attracting new investment into Scotland’s cities, their regions and on creating new jobs and businesses, the Scotland’s Cities Global Excellence Conference Programme will showcase Scotland’s sectoral excellence on a global scale.
These conferences will attract high profile speakers from both home and away, who are able to engage delegates in thought provoking conversations and to help businesses grow their aspirations at both home and away.
Key stakeholders will include Scottish Government, Scottish Cities Alliance, Scottish Enterprise, SDI, HIE, Sector Representative Bodies and academia.
Issued by: Julia Correia/Carrie Clement, 3x1 Public Relations, T: 0141 221 0707, E: jcorreia@3x1.com, cclement@3x1.com