Rising demand for corporate events services as far afield as Singapore, Houston and Abu Dhabi has boosted revenues to record levels at the events division of one of the UK’s largest independent PR firms.
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The BIG Partnership’s events business is predicting revenues will grow by a third for 2014/2015, reflecting the latest available ISES Global Business Survey which found more than three-quarters of events professionals anticipated business growth for the year.
Led by Kate Heriot, who was appointed as head of events in February 2014, the team has spent the year working with clients on events ranging from international exhibitions and conferences, through to prestigious business launches and drinks receptions for high profile clients.
Based in Aberdeen, but with strong roots and experience across the country, the BIG team has seen a particular rise in demand from businesses in Edinburgh and Glasgow, as well as in international markets, over the past 12 months.
Head of events Kate Heriot said: “Last year was a strong one for our market and we’ve enjoyed a substantial rise in revenues.
“We’ve seen a sharp upturn from existing clients but we’re also working with a number of new businesses keen to raise their profile and presence in Scotland and much further afield.
“Whether it’s exhibitions, conferences, public consultations or staff parties, we’re seeing an increasing number of organisations looking for our services. We’re now on track to grow revenues by a third this year and expect to build on that momentum in the next 12 months.”
Over the last year, the team strengthened its international credentials by organising the fifth annual OPITO Safety and Competence Conference (OSCC) exhibition in Abu Dhabi. It also worked with clients at the bi-annual OSEA oil and gas event in Singapore and the Offshore Technology Conference in Houston.
Domestically, BIG’s events team worked with a number of clients in Scotland’s two biggest cities, including organising the launch of the ORE Catapult in Glasgow, which featured Vince Cable, Secretary of State for Business, Innovation and Skills, and a public consultation for the Old Royal High School in Edinburgh.
Kate added: “We’re rapidly expanding our reputation and relationships across the country, having built a very strong presence in Aberdeen, and are now taking on new business throughout the central belt and internationally.
“We want to help companies stand out, wherever they are, and that means giving them something a bit different. Recently we’ve sourced Lego models of remote operated vehicles (ROVs) as giveaways and secured the services of an F1 simulator.
“Variety has undoubtedly been the norm for the last 12 months and in the year ahead we’re aiming to grow into new markets as we extend our existing services.”
