Glasgow Beats Belfast in Bid to Retain World Pipe Band Championships
 |
Glasgow has won its bid to retain the World Pipe Band Championships, following presentations in Glasgow on Saturday, February 2, to the National Council of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association.
The city faced stiff competition from Belfast, but the strength of Glasgow’s bid, which was jointly presented by Glasgow City Council, Culture & Sport Glasgow and Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, was enough to convince organisers to locate the event in Scotland for three more years from 2010 – 2012.
It is anticipated that the win will generate £10 million for the local economy, and provide further opportunities to position Glasgow as a centre for music events of truly global renown.
The World Pipe Band Championships have been associated with Glasgow since 1948, but the profile of the event is such that it attracted the interest of Belfast resulting in a formal bidding situation for the first time in the event’s history.
The World Pipe Band Championships is one of the most colourful spectacles in Glasgow’s annual events calendar, attracting more than 8,000 pipers and drummers from across the globe to compete for the coveted title of World Champions. This year’s event will be at Glasgow Green on August 16.
Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member – Culture and Sport Commonwealth Games Delivery at Glasgow City Council, commented, “The World Pipe Band Championships are an integral part of Glasgow's extremely successful strategies for both events and tourism, and we are delighted that the city will host the Championships for a further three years. The event has become increasingly popular for Glaswegians and visitors to the city over the past few years, and we believe Glasgow is the perfect location for this globally-renowned celebration of the pipes and drums."
Ian Embelton of the Royal Scottish Pipe Band Association said, “We are delighted to continue our association with Glasgow. There have been great improvements in the Championships in recent years and we have been impressed with the Council’s proposals to develop them still further.”
Supporting Quotes
Bailie Liz Cameron, the Chair of Culture & Sport Glasgow, said: "This decision is great news for the city and pays tribute to the hard work of our staff, who always deliver world-class events. We are known for our commitment and professionalism and I'm sure we will all work together to make the 'Worlds' bigger and better yet."
Scott Taylor, Chief Executive of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, concluded, “Glasgow City Marketing Bureau was integral in the bid process, and has proved yet again Glasgow’s ability to attract major events. Securing the ‘Worlds’ for the full three years is a ringing endorsement of the city’s bid and the partnership behind it.”
Paul Bush, Chief Operating Officer at EventScotland, the national events agency, said:
“Securing the World Pipe Band Championships to 2012 is great news for Glasgow and Scotland. This major showcase event generates significant economic impact for the city and helps to keep Scotland at the heart of world piping.”
The full package of support behind the bid was offered by Glasgow City Council, Culture & Sport Glasgow, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and EventScotland.
- Ends - 5 February 2008
Further information from:
Nancy McLardie, Head of PR
Glasgow City Marketing Bureau.
Tel: 0141 566 0830
Note to Editors
- Pictures of previous World Pipe Band Championships in Glasgow are available from www.seeglasgow.com/eventimages
- The full presentation line-up on February 2 at the Glasgow Marriott, was:
- Councillor Archie Graham, Executive Member – Culture and Sport Commonwealth Games Delivery
- Bridget McConnell, Chief Executive – Culture and Sport Glasgow
- Scott Taylor, Chief Executive – Glasgow City Marketing Bureau
- Colin Hartley, Events Manager – Culture and Sport Glasgow
The bid comprised a 32-page document featuring letters of support from the Lord Provost of Glasgow, the Leader of Glasgow City Council, Culture and Sport Glasgow, Glasgow City Marketing Bureau, Scottish Enterprise Glasgow and EventScotland.