Media Briefing by the Scottish Government Spokesperson and the First Minister's Special Adviser.
The Scottish Government Spokesperson (SGS) welcomed media to the briefing. A news release on the day’s event was distributed.
First Minister visits USA
The First Minister participates in business meetings and meets with US journalists to discuss Scotland as a tourist destination. Opportunities will be highlighted through ‘Winning Years’, a joint project between VisitScotland and Disney to encourage tourism businesses to maximise their promotional activity by focusing on major events. Such as, Year of Creative Scotland, the launch of Brave, Year of Natural Scotland (next year), the Ryder Cup, Commonwealth Games and Homecoming Scotland 2014.
The First Minister attends the world premiere of Brave, the opening film of the LA film festival, Los Angeles (6pm GMT, 2am BST). Photos and footage will be sent out. Logistical information will be sent out if needed and the SGS would request more information from the desk for the journalist.
Patient Safety Programme extended (news release)
Cabinet Secretary for Health Nicola Sturgeon, announces the new patient safety target. Scotland is a world leader in this programme and is the first country in the world to introduce it on a national scale. There is an increase and strengthening of the targets. The SGS then referred the journalists to the news release.
Cabinet Secretary for Culture Fiona Hyslop, launches the first national Book Week Scotland to celebrate reading (26 Nov-2 Dec), The Writer's Museum, Edinburgh. Author Ian Rankin and makar Liz Lochhead are also attending the launch. A news release will be issued by the desk.
Environment Minister Stewart Stevenson, is in Rio de Janeiro taking part is a series of engagements, as part of the UK delegation, on the run up to the UN Rio+20 conference (20 June).
The SGS then ran through the key events for the rest of the week.