Supplier FAQs

If you have a question that’s not listed in these FAQs, please email the VisitScotland Connect 2026 team who will assist you with your enquiry.

Event Registration

When will VisitScotland Connect take place?

VisitScotland Connect 2026 will be taking place at the SEC – Scottish Event Campus, Glasgow on April 15 and 16.

Wednesday 15 April 2026 from 9am - 5pm
Thursday 16 April 2026 from 9am - 4pm

What is the format of the event?

The event follows a workshop-style format, with suppliers meeting buyers in pre-scheduled one-to-one meetings.

How do I register?

Supplier registration opens on Tuesday 9 September 2025. Scottish suppliers can apply to attend through our VisitScotland Connect 2026 website . All applications are subject to approval by VisitScotland. We aim to approve applications within five working days.

How much does it cost to attend?

The attendance fee for suppliers is £2,020 +VAT and includes:

meeting table and chairs

strictly up to two supplier passes

tablecloth

table signage

access to one meeting diary to arrange meetings with international and UK buyers
light lunch, teas and coffees

one vehicle parking space in the SEC car park

If you are new to working with travel trade and thinking about attending this event for the first time, you may be eligible for a one-day attendance charged at £995 +VAT. Contact our VisitScotland Connect 2026 team to discuss eligibility.

If you are a Destination Management Organisation (DMO), local authority, national partner or Destination Management Company (DMC), you may wish to apply for an enhanced workshop space, which is charged at £3,310 + VAT and includes:

two meeting tables and chairs

strictly up to four supplier passes

tablecloths

table signage

access to two meeting diaries to arrange meetings with international and UK buyers

3 graphic back panels (creative direction given by VisitScotland, imagery to be supplied by partner)
light lunch, teas and coffees

one vehicle parking space in the SEC car park

Who can take part in this event?

VisitScotland Connect is open to trade-ready Scottish tourism and events businesses with bookable products and experiences. Please note that VisitScotland Connect is only open to pre-approved attendees. Walk-ups on the day are not permitted.

To be eligible to attend, a business must be based in Scotland or have a Scottish office. The business must also have staff attending who are experienced in working with UK and international travel trade. Businesses are also required to have a listing on our travel trade website.

DMOs and local authorities interested in registering must be represented by knowledgeable staff with experience working with the UK and international travel trade.

DMO attendees are expected to have a thorough regional knowledge and be able and prepared to assist buyers developing travel programmes featuring their region.

We anticipate a high level of interest in this event and ask Scottish suppliers to apply early to avoid disappointment.

Why should my business consider taking part in this event?

VisitScotland Connect provides a one-stop opportunity to engage with travel trade representatives from domestic and international visitor markets, build business relationships with new and existing contacts and grow your business via intermediary channels.

There are numerous benefits of working with the domestic and international travel trade. These include:

improving visitor management throughout the year by extending the season and growing business at times you might usually be quiet

lesser-known attractions and products can be promoted more easily, especially internationally

contracting business up to 24 months before a visitor arrives in Scotland

working with distribution partners across multiple visitor markets will broaden your customer base and make you less vulnerable to economic fluctuation

increasing your visitor reach beyond your own website and marketing budget capacity

building a regular stream of income from different sources by distributing through online travel agents, tour operators, destination management companies and travel advisors in addition to the direct business you receive

What if my business is new to working with travel trade and has never attended a travel trade event before?

To kickstart your journey of working with the travel trade, please email our VisitScotland Connect 2026 team.

We also host regional travel distribution workshops and national webinars throughout the year. These are designed to help you refine your travel trade offering and prepare you to attend a trade event such as VisitScotland Connect. Visit our Business Support Hub for more information on upcoming events.

What if I don't qualify to attend?

Please contact our VisitScotland Connect team.

Event Preparation & Meeting Diaries

My event registration was approved. What do I do next?

Once you have been approved for a space at VisitScotland Connect, you will be able to access your personal supplier portal. Here you can update your company profile, upload digital collateral such as your product fact sheets for travel trade, add additional staff members, pay your event fee, manage your meetings with buyers and more.

How many staff members can attend from one business?

A standard meeting table includes a maximum of two staff members as part of the event attendance fee. An enhanced destination space includes a maximum of four staff members.

How do I manage and arrange my meetings for VisitScotland Connect?

The Meeting Diary for VisitScotland Connect will open in February 2026.

A standard meeting table includes one meeting diary. An enhanced destination space includes two meeting diaries.

Access to the meeting diary is only granted if payment of your event registration fee has been settled.

How long is a meeting?

Every meeting is scheduled to last 12 minutes.

How do I schedule a meeting?

Both buyers and Scottish suppliers can request meetings via their event portals. Instructions on how to request and accept meetings with buyers are made available via the supplier portal. It is recommended to attend the event with a full diary of pre-scheduled meetings.

Can suppliers meet someone from a VisitScotland Market Team?

Yes, Scottish suppliers can request to speak with a market representative if need be. However, we recommend that suppliers use their time at the event to maximise their meetings with buyers

Can suppliers meet with any other industry experts?

There will a variety of partners attending that Scottish suppliers can meet with. Previous industry experts included digital platforms, sustainability partners and trade associations.

Will there be additional time for unscheduled meetings?

A number of unscheduled meeting opportunities are available throughout the event days. During unscheduled meeting time slots, you can meet with buyers on a first come first served basis without prior arrangements. You will not be able to pre-book meetings via your meeting diary.

Will there be breaks throughout the event?

Breaks have been included throughout the event for your comfort. Light lunch, teas and coffees are available as part of your attendance.

Can suppliers meet with other Scottish-based businesses?

Scottish suppliers can meet with other suppliers throughout the event days. However, we recommend that suppliers make use of available meeting slots to meet with buyers and catch up with other Scottish-based businesses during comfort and lunch breaks.

How many meetings can I expect to receive?

This can vary as it depends on how you plan and manage your diary in advance of the event. On average, you could have 18-20 meetings a day.

Get in touch with the VisitScotland Connect 2026 Team if you need support in finding the right contacts when meeting diaries open in February 2026.

Event Payment, Branding, and Fam Trips

When and how do I need to pay my event fee?

An event invoice is generated once you have been accepted for a space at the event. Payment is then due within 30 days, but we are open to discussing a different payment schedule with you, should this be required. Payment is generally required in full before your meeting diary is opened.

You can settle event payment by online card payment via your supplier portal, or request an invoice to settle via BACS transfer.

Will there be an Event Dinner I can take part in?

If you are attending VisitScotland Connect 2026, you have the option of joining the VisitScotland Connect Dinner on Wednesday 15 April. A Dinner ticket is charged at £125 +VAT and can be booked via your Supplier Portal.

Can suppliers bring pop-up banners with them?

We are unable to permit pop ups as part of your event attendance. Please refrain from bringing pop ups along as you will be asked to remove them by our events team.

Will I be able to charge my electronic devices at the event venue?
Access to power sockets is not available to purchase for standard meeting tables. We recommend suppliers with meeting tables to source their own portable power banks or make use of charging lockers onsite. A limited number of charging lockers onsite may be used on first come first serve basis free of charge.

Will there be Wi-Fi?

Access to power sockets will be available for enhanced workshop spaces only. We recommend suppliers with meeting tables to source their own portable power banks or make use of charging lockers onsite. A limited number of charging lockers onsite may be used on first come first serve basis free of charge. Make use of charging lockers onsite. A limited number of charging lockers onsite may be used on first come first serve basis free of charge.

Will you offer fam trips for buyers and how can I take part in this?
As part of VisitScotland Connect 2026 a familiarisation trip (fam trip) programme will be offered to eligible buyers. You’re welcome to note your interest in becoming a fam trip host as part of your event registration.

Due to the expected volume of businesses requesting to host a fam trip, logistics and timings, we cannot guarantee that all businesses will be added to the fam trip programme.

How can I further increase my business exposure at the event?

A number of partnership opportunities are available that can enhance your brand exposure at the event. Please visit our partnerships page for more information or contact our VisitScotland Connect 2026 team.