SWA rings the changes with new conference venue and format

 AFTER successfully staging its annual conference at Dunblane Hydro in Perthshire for a number of years, the Scottish Wholesale Association has announced a change of venue and format for the 2009 event.

 The conference will, for the first time, be held at Crieff Hydro, also in Perthshire. As Iain Hill, president of the trade association and managing director of Ayrshire-based wholesaler Iain Hill Ltd, explained: “Dunblane Hydro is planning major refurbishment work which may not be completed by June 2009.

 “I see this as an ideal opportunity for our members and suppliers to experience a new location and I am delighted to say that Crieff Hydro ticks all the boxes in terms of the quality of accommodation and range of facilities. Although located in the heart of rural Perthshire, it is just an hour’s drive from both Glasgow and Edinburgh.”

Dates for the conference have been confirmed as 5-7 June 2009. In a change to the customary format of the event, the conference will start on the Friday morning with a members-only meeting following the now established ‘An Audience With…..’ forum, featuring an exclusive opportunity to meet with a senior director from a leading supplier. The AGM will also take place on the Friday morning with conference starting at lunchtime for suppliers.

 The two business seminars will take place on Friday afternoon and Saturday morning. Planning of the high-profile business programme is well under way and details will be announced in due course.

 Looking forward to overseeing his first conference as president of the trade association, Iain Hill said: “We understand that there are many demands on people’s time and we believe that a slightly shorter conference will suit busy wholesalers and suppliers whose priority is the day-to-day running of their businesses.”

 However, Kate Salmon, executive director of the SWA, hopes that many of those attending will still be able to gather at the hotel on the Thursday night as usual to take advantage of the superb facilities and activities available.

On the social front, the entertainment will kick off on Friday with a drinks reception and themed evening featuring a hog roast and dancing. The Saturday evening drinks reception will be followed by the SWA’s traditional Highland Banquet featuring a ceilidh, disco then the popular early morning champagne breakfast.

While the programme for Saturday afternoon’s well-attended Activity Day has not yet been finalised, it will take advantage of the numerous outdoor activities available at Crieff Hydro, giving adults and children alike the opportunity to try new activities that the conference has previously been unable to offer.

The hotel has its own 18-hole Culcrieff Golf Course and licensed clubhouse while there is an impressive Outdoor Activity Centre, featuring fast-paced activities including quad biking, Land Rover off-road driving, archery and air rifles. Crieff Hydro has its own riding school on the estate plus a network of trails and paths for mountain biking.

In the grounds directly around the hotel, there is an all-weather bowling green, croquet lawn, tennis course and football pitch, putting and Vertigo, an exciting climbing experience. The Lagoon Leisure Club features a heated indoor swimming pool, sauna and steam room, kids’ pool and snooker room. In addition, there is a fitness suite and refurbished Victorian Spa, built around the hotel’s original Victorian swimming pool.

“There really is something for everyone – and for all ages – at Crieff Hydro and we’re excited about holding our conference there for the first time,” said Salmon. “Those who attend the event regularly will know that while our business sessions are very focused and attract some of industry’s highest-profile individuals plus guest speakers from the wider business world, the event is very much a family affair.

“We very much hope that this slightly revised format and change of venue will appeal to our members and suppliers. It is absolutely crucial that we build our conference around the needs of our members and supporters. We are confident that we will, once again, deliver a conference that is mutually beneficial to members and suppliers alike.”

Full details of the business and social programmes will be available in due course but anyone wishing to make further enquiries about the conference or book places at this stage should contact Kate Salmon or Margaret Wilson on 0131 556 8753 or by email at info@scottishwholesale.co.uk.