Buyer FAQs
If your question cannot be answered by this FAQ document,
please contact the VisitScotland Connect 2023 Event Team and a member of the team will be happy to assist.
This FAQ document is divided into the following categories:
Event Registration
Event Days & Appointment Schedules
Top Tips - How to make the most of VisitScotland Connect 2023
When does the event take place?
VisitScotland Connect 2023 will be taking place at the P&J Live Aberdeen on April 19 and 20.
Wednesday, April 19 from 09:00-17:00 BST
Thursday, April 20 from 09:00-16:00 BST
Who can take part in this event?
Intermediaries such as tour operators, wholesalers, travel agents and DMCs can register their interest to attend. For an intermediary (buyer) to be accepted to attend, they will need to be a product developer or contractor.
The event will continue to reflect our focus on responsible tourism, we will be inviting buyers who have a focus on developing new/extended responsible tourism products.
Who will I meet at this event?
Scottish tourism businesses that are offering a tourism product that can be contracted at trade rates. Eligible businesses will either be based in Scotland or have a Scottish office. Registrations are subject to approval for Scottish tourism businesses.
Who can take part in this event?
Intermediaries such as tour operators, wholesalers, travel agents and DMCs can register their interest to attend. For an intermediary (buyer) to be accepted to attend, they will need to be a product developer or contractor.
The event will continue to reflect our focus on responsible tourism, we will be inviting buyers who have a focus on developing new/extended responsible tourism products.
Who will I meet at this event?
Scottish tourism businesses that are offering a tourism product that can be contracted at trade rates. Eligible businesses will either be based in Scotland or have a Scottish office. Registrations are subject to approval for Scottish tourism businesses.
How much does it cost to take part in the event?
There is no registration fee for Buyers for VisitScotland Connect 2023.
What if I don't qualify to attend the event?
You can schedule 1:1 online meetings with our respective Market Development Managers to discuss your needs and further support.
How do I register?
Registrations for Buyers opened in November 2022. Spaces are limited and we encourage you to secure your space early.
Visit www.visitscotland.com/connect2023 and register with a new username and password. Previous Discover Scotland or VisitScotland Expo credentials will not be recognised.
Fill in the registration form including contact details, company name and your Buyer profile. Your registration will be reviewed by our Market Development Team and approved if you fulfil the participation criteria detailed above.
My event registration was approved. What do I do next?
Log on to the Buyer Portal with your e-mail address and password and update your virtual business profile. This is visible to all event attendees.
Your meeting diary is open to request 1:1 meetings with Scottish Suppliers.
Once Suppliers are approved you can download the latest supplier list via the Actions tab in the Buyer portal.
How do I make an appointment?
Both Buyers and Scottish Suppliers can request appointments. Meeting diaries are now open and instructions on how to request and accept meetings with Suppliers shared.
How many meeting diaries are there?
There is one meeting diary per Buyer.
How long is an appointment?
Every appointment is scheduled to last 15 minutes. The event programme will be shared in due course.
How many appointments should I make?
This is dependent on your advanced planning and invitations to Suppliers to meet. On average you could have up to 20 meetings a day.
Please get in touch with your Market Development Manager if you need support in finding the right contacts to meet.
Can businesses show videos in their appointments?
Yes, although we recommend to share a link to video materials as part of a follow-up e-mail with the Supplier. Focusing on a personal 1:1 conversation with the Supplier will allow you to find out more about what the Supplier can offer to your clients and answer any questions you may have. The event venue might also be quite noisy, which can impact video quality.
Can Buyers meet with other Buyers?
Yes, Buyers can request an appointment with another Buyer.
We recommend that Buyers use appointment slots to meet with Scottish Suppliers, though, and catch up with other Buyers during breaks.
Can I meet someone from a market team?
Yes, Buyers can drop in and speak to a Market Development Manger if need be. We recommend Buyers use their time to meet with Scottish Suppliers. Our market team will be in contact with each of you after the event to help with follow-ups.
What additional content will be available as part of this event?
You will be able to access digital presentations on key themes, such as global travel trends, responsible travel and destination updates.
How do I access the additional content?
Will you offer fam trips to Buyers and how can I take part in this?
Yes, as part of VisitScotland Connect 2023 a fam trip programme will be offered to eligible Buyers. Please get in touch with your Market Development Manager if you wish to be notified of available product experiences. Please note that spaces are limited and not every Buyer attending VisitScotland Connect 2023 will be offered a space on a fam trip.
- Stock up with tea/coffee/water for the appointments - as with all travel trade events, we know there will be a lot of talking.
- The appointments are business meetings so prepare thoroughly and dress accordingly.
- Please remember to mute your mobile phone when you are in an appointment with a Scottish Supplier.
- Use the first couple of minutes of your appointment as your introduction, and start summarising at the end, giving yourself 3-4 minutes before the 15-minute cut off.
- Let our Market Development Managers help you with suggestions for Supplier meetings, especially if you are new to Scotland product development, or adapting your offering due to global challenges, for example if you are planning on moving from group bookings to FIT.