The Scottish Tourism Industry Conference (STIC) was held on 09 and 10 November at the EICC, bringing together industry leaders from across the country to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the sector. The event attracted over 400 delegates from across the sector, including hoteliers, tour operators, and marketing professionals.

We love seeing our plants and flowers bring joy to people, so were delighted to support this fantastic event once again by dressing the stages in the exhibition and conference hall.

In the spirit of showcasing the very best of Scotland, we also brought along a Nordik Moss wall depicting the stunning rolling hills of Loch Voil, created by our very own Kyleigh Fielder. The wall was an instant hit with attendees, and many were eager to find out how much a similar wall would cost, how it was made, what maintenance it requires, and some even wanted to take it home!

We also had our own stand within the exhibition hall this year where we had the opportunity to showcase our products and services. We spent most of our first day here and this was an excellent opportunity to learn more about the challenges and opportunities within the Scottish tourism and hospitality sector. It was great to meet old and new contacts and to be able to demonstrate the power of plants in and discuss the science behind how and why they are good for us.

After a productive first day of the conference, delegates made their way to Eve Restaurant inside The Virgin Hotel where they were once again surrounded by our lush greenery. Click here to read about our work with ICA on the stunning Virgin Hotel which opened earlier this summer.

Having spent most of the first day frantically restocking our complimentary peace lilies (apologies to those who missed out), we were able to take in some thought-provoking presentations on day two. The morning began with a “power” breakfast attended by Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, John Swinney. Swinney emphasised the importance of tourism to the Scottish economy and pledged to continue supporting the industry amidst difficult trading conditions.

Upstairs in the Pentland Suite, one of the main topics of discussion was sustainability in tourism, and how we can make sure that our tourism practices are eco-friendly and have minimal negative impact on the environment. This seemed like the perfect opportunity to introduce guests to our Enviroculture planting system during the breaks, with many unaware of the devasting impact harvesting peat for compost can have.

Despite the sobering nature of many of discussions had over the two days, the event finished on a high with inspirational speeches from The Scottish Crannog Centre and racing champion Penny Mallory who brought the conference to a close with a motivational presentation on building mental toughness.

The Scottish Tourism Industry Conference is now established as one of the key events in the Scottish tourism calendar and we look forward to seeing what next year’s event has in store.

We thrive on the creativity required to bring events to life. Are you planning an important event that would benefit from lush greenery? We’re delighted to have designed and installed unforgettable plant and floral displays for some of the biggest brands in the world. From major sporting events, annual occasions and conferences to graduation ceremonies and trade shows, we’ve helped customers amp up their events when they really needed it. Get in touch today.