Scotland's local authorities will be there, represented at Chief Executive, Director or senior officer level. Also attending from the economic development community at Director and Board level, are Abellio ScotRail, Architecture and Design Scotland, British-German Business Network, Cultural Enterprise Office, Economic Development Association Scotland, Elevator UK, FSB Scotland, Improvement Service, independent business and economic development specialists, Ingeus Scotland, Opportunity North East, Scottish Local Authorities Economic Development Group, Social Firms Scotland, Society of Local Authority Chief Executives Scotland, Scotland's Towns Partnership,  Scottish Futures Trust, Scottish Government, Scottish Universities Insight Institute,  Skills Development Scotland, VisitScotland, Women's Enterprise Scotland and more. 

 

With change across a range of scales, including Brexit, extra Holyrood powers, the agencies' review, budgetary challenges and City Region Deals, the conference represents a timely and important opportunity for leaders in Scotland's economic development community to come together to collectively consider this changing landscape and shape common action.   With insightful and engaging speakers from within and outwith Scotland, delegates will discuss, consider and contribute to policy and practice that supports effective local leadership for delivering economic development.  

Speakers include:  Douglas Fraser (Conference Chair), Business and Economy Editor, BBC Scotland;  Paul Wheelhouse MSP, Minister for Business, Innovation and Energy, Scottish Government;  Councillor Jenny Laing, Leader, Aberdeen City Council;  Will Hutton, Principal, Hertford College, University of Oxford;  Jennifer Craw, Chief Executive of ONE (Opportunity North East) and Chair of Robert Gordon University;   Professor Gary McEwan, Chief Executive, Elevator and Honorary Professor of Entrepreneurship at Dundee University - to name but a few.

 

A first in Scotland, the conference also offers a high level networking environment to support the development of strategic relationships Scotland-wide.  EDAS and SLAED members can attend for only £100+VAT.   However, if you would like to have a greater presence at the event, sharing and scoping out interest in what you do, you may like to discuss how we can help you reach economic development leaders through the following marketing options:

 

Further information on the conference can be found at the links below. Contact Elaine Bone at  [email protected] or telephone 07801 354591 for enquiries.