This item was published during the term of a previous administration that ended in April 2007
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EventScotland advisory board meets
24/03/2003
The new Advisory Board for EventScotland, the new
organisation which aims to attract major world events to
Scotland, held its first meeting at Loch Lomond Shores
today.
Tourism and Culture Minister Mike Watson welcomed top
names from the media, tourism, the arts and sport to the
inaugural meeting, which also included representatives from
local authorities, public bodies and the Executive.
The Minister said the Board will play a major part in
making Scotland one of the world's foremost events
destinations, and will continue to develop Scotland's
strategy to attract top cultural and sporting events.
The advisory board will meet twice a year. The day to
day decisions will be the responsibility of a director.
Interviews for this post are due to be held shortly.
Mike Watson said:
"I am delighted to welcome the new Board, whose members
offer a rich blend of expertise in the various fields which
combine to give EventScotland a unique role.
"Their task is to maintain a strategic overview of the
operation, working with the director to deliver a viable
portfolio of events which will attract visitors to
Scotland.
"Our mission is to enhance Scotland's international
profile, to strengthen our sporting and cultural
infrastructure and to maximise the economic, social and
environmental benefits of events to all parts of the
country."
The Advisory Board members are Charles Gordon, Glasgow
City Council; Philip Riddle, VisitScotland; Stuart
Cosgrove, Channel Four; Mike Closier, Scottish Exhibition
and Conference Centre; Nick Kuenssberg, Scotland the Brand;
Alastair Dempster, sportscotland; Peter Irvine, Unique
Events; James Boyle, Scottish Arts Council; Muriel Gray,
writer and broadcaster; the president of the Convention of
Scottish Local Authorities; Grant Sword, Highland and
Islands Enterprise; Steve Cardownie, Edinburgh City
Council; a representative from Scottish Enterprise; and
John Mason, Scottish Executive.
EventScotland is a company, limited by guarantee, and
jointly owned by the Executive and VisitScotland. This
gives EventScotland the ability to operate commercially in
the events world and allows it to enter into contractual
arrangements in its own right.
The post of Director was advertised in the press and
interviews will be carried out in the near future. It is
expected that the director will be in post by early
summer.