SCOTLAND’S leading annual showcase for business events professionals has announced the return of a bi-annual leaders’ summit.

EVENTIT’s Business Events Leaders’ Summit (BELS) will be taking place at the Edinburgh International Conference Centre (EICC) on March 18 and 19 this year.

READ MORE: Marloe Watches moves to Perth to avoid post-Brexit England

BELS brings together leaders from meetings, incentives, conference and exhibitions industry to interact, discuss and challenge old event practices and bring about meetings between specialists and growth sectors.

Sponsored by Visit Britain, this year’s summit will focus on the challenges and opportunities of the emerging markets in relation to nationality, generation and sector.

The event will be chaired by the CEO of Xdesigned, Kim Myhre, and will include speakers such as the co-founder of Excel Esports Kieran Holmes-Darby, director of tourism, convention and major events at London & Partners Tracy Halliwell MBE, MICE Knowledge managing director Rob Davidson, and Natasha Richards, senior advocacy and industry relations manager at IMEX.

READ MORE: Fifth of big firms in Scotland 'financially stressed', says KPMG

EVENTIT events director Judith Wilson said: “Our first BELS back in 2018 attracted an impressive variety of MICE leaders from not only across Scotland and the UK, but from as far afield as Singapore and Australia.

“At this year’s event, attendees will have the opportunity to be part of a discussion that will challenge old event orthodoxies and help drive a new era of collaboration between meetings specialists and priority growth sectors.

“We aim to continue to support the ongoing development of a thriving events industry in Scotland, as well as providing an international learning forum where events professionals from across the UK and beyond can come together and adopt new and innovative strategies and event ideas.

“Anyone interested in finding out more or booking a place should get in touch.”

The summit will bring together economic development professionals, as well as representatives from private and public sector bodies and directors of companies which operate in Scotland’s growth industries.

There will be advice on hand for businesses on how to shape new policies and create long-lasting legacies for their own organisations and destinations.

READ MORE: Scots IP firm Ingentium seeks to bring innovation to the industry

The leadership summit will take place on the evening of Wednesday, March 18, with a welcome reception and dinner followed by a half-day conference at EVENTIT on Thursday, March 19.

Gillian Rae, account director at Spectra in Scotland praised previous gatherings, saying: “The Business Events Leaders’ Summit was a great conference to attend for the Scottish conference and event industry.

READ MORE: Report reveals impact of Tory Innovator visa on Scots firms

“There was a range of wonderful local and international speakers who gave valuable insights into the industry.

“The summit is one of the best knowledge sharing and networking events to attend.”