Hosted by Edinburgh Napier's Tourism Research Centre, this one-day symposium will bring together researchers and tutors of all career stages, industry practitioners, and other individuals with an interest in business events and business tourism.

Guest Speakers 

• Visiting Associate Professor Dr Judith Mair, University of Queensland, Australia
• Dr Leo Jago, Emeritus Professor, University of Surrey
• Dr Rob Davidson, Director, MICE Education, Research & Consultancy

Invited Panellists 

• Neil Brownlee, Head of Business Events at VisitScotland, 2025 Chair of PCMA
• Gary Hutchison, Dean of the School of Applied Sciences, Edinburgh Napier University
• James Latham, Founder, The Iceberg
• Elaine Miller, Associations Business Development Manager, Edinburgh International Conference Centre
• Lesley Williams, Consultant, Gaining Edge
• Laura Wilson, Head of Aberdeen Convention Bureau

Visit here for biographies on guest speakers >

Programme

08:45-09:00 Registration
09:00-09:15 Welcome & Introduction -Paul Barron, Dean of The Business School
09:15-10:00 Guest speaker – Visiting Associate Professor Judith Mair
10:00-10:30 Coffee break
10:30-11:00 Guest speaker – Dr Leo Jago, Emeritus Professor
11:00-12:00 Industry panel - Impacts and Legacies - Neil Brownlee; Lesley Williams; Laura Wilson
12:00-12:45 Lunch
12:45-13:30 Guest speaker – Dr Rob Davidson
13:30-14:30 Papers 
14:30-15:30 Industry Panel - Academics and Venues in Practice - Gary Hutchison and Elaine Millar
15:30 Coffee and Fireside chat with Leo Jago and James Latham
16:00 Finish

At this Symposium, there will be parallel sessions in the afternoon, that will focus on three sub-themes:

• A. Knowledge Economy: e.g. education; event legacies; research & innovation (not limited to these topics)
• B. Sustainability initiatives: e.g. circular economy; community engagement; sustainable development goals (not limited to these topics)
• C. Technology: e.g. hybrid events; applied technologies; impact of AI (not limited to these topics)

Engagement and Networking Opportunities

This symposium is hybrid in format, and you are welcome to join us online if you are unable to attend in-person. Details will be circulated nearer to the time. There is no cost or fee to attend. It will be held at our Craiglockhart Campus in Edinburgh. Lunch and light refreshments will be provided.

Advanced registration at this symposium is essential.

Register here >

For further queries about this Symposium, email tourismresearch@napier.ac.uk