Join ASVA, (Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions) on 14th November at Perth Concert Hall for their annual conference – a day packed with insights, advice and unparalleled networking opportunities bringing together leading voices and experts from within the visitor attractions and wider tourism sector to share best practices, explore innovative approaches in technology, sustainability, and community engagement. Dive into topics like collaboration, inclusion, and accessibility, enhancing your knowledge and helping you navigate the challenges and opportunities in today’s dynamic tourism landscape.

The agenda features speaker presentations, panel sessions and ample opportunities to catch up with colleagues and forge new connections.

Join Louise Arnold, Interface and Stephen Preston, St Giles Cathedral for a session on In-Spire-Ing Innovative Collaborations and New Audiences.

Building on the last two years of success, this year’s Meet the Funders will help you connect with national and local funders and discover the latest funding opportunities.

This year, participants are invited to hear presentations on:

• Celebrity influencing in the Fundraising Mix, with Steve Sloan and charity, Mikeysline.
• Expanding your Types of fundraising with Beyond Profit UK and local organisations who have had success in diversifying funding streams.
• Make sure not to miss ‘What Funders are Looking for in an Application’, with SCVO’s Laura Cameron and Evaluation Support Scotland’s, Gary Walsh.
• Take a closer look at corporate fundraising/donations/trusts with Jo O’Sullivan from Institute of Fundraising as well as Outfit Moray and Walkers Shortbread.

The day is designed to help you better understand funding eligibility, connect with funders and groups, and create opportunities for partnership and collaboration.

There will be over 15 stallholders including: Interface, Foundation Scotland, Gordon & Ena Baxter Foundation, National Lottery, Independent Living Fund Scotland, Inspiring Scotland, Royal Bank of Scotland, AHF Transforming Heritage, REAP Scotland, Scotmid, DTAS/Community Shares Scotland, National Churches Trust, Sport Scotland and the Moray Community Foundation.

Carol-Ann Adams of Interface will be exhibiting at this event come along and say hello and find out how Interface can help you.

Have you got an idea for your business that you’d like to develop? Join Highlands and Islands Enterprise Isle of Skye Candle Co. Visitor Centre for a workshop on how to develop your ideas into reality.

• Realities of growth – what does it take to grow your idea?
• Sources of ideas – the inspiration for ideas and the chance to apply this to your business
• Too many ideas? Learn how to prioritise them
• Developing your idea – finding the inspiration to build on and strengthen your idea
• Finalise your idea – identify the strongest component of your idea, and how to take it forward
• Find out how how innovation support can help

Carol-Ann Adams of Interface will be attending this event. Come along and hear how Interface can support innovation in Skye.

Moray’s Climate Action Network – Moray CAN – is hosting its first conference event which aims to showcase the work, innovations, scalable solutions and policies that are helping Moray take climate action.

The day is designed so that participants will be able to learn more about what measures are currently being taken to mitigate climate change in Moray, and what can be done to ensure further action is prioritised.

Key note speakers and workshop presentations, will share knowledge on areas including future decarbonisation, reducing emissions, nature restoration and educational outreach.

Key Note Speakers:

• Louise Nicol – Moray Climate Action Network – updating on local projects funded and work of Network members.
• George Gunn – Climate Change Strategy Officer, Moray Council – will give an overview of progress on local authority’s Climate Change Strategy. The strategy will be updated next year, so a timely opportunity to ask questions and give feedback.
• Keith Masson – Highlands and Islands Enterprise (HIE) Head of Net Zero Transition – will sharing work on a multi-partner approach to support the region’s enterprises understand, measure and benefit from net zero and circular economy practices. Keith will also highlight the latest baseline carbon footprint report with a particular focus on what this means for Moray.
• Peter Clark – Scottish Whisky Association’s Deputy Director for Industry Sustainability – will share insights into the industry’s collective sustainability ambitions and what action the SWA has taken to help its members to decarbonise their operational emissions by the target of 2040.

During the afternoon, participants will have the choice to make some offsite visits to nearby projects , as part of their workshop choice.

Webinar on how robotics are revolutionising the food, drink, and agriculture industries!

Join experts from the National Robotarium to find out about robotics and their application in the food and drink and agriculture sectors. HIE’s Innovation team will also provide an update about opportunities currently available to businesses.

The National Robotarium’s mission is to promote the use of robotics across various sectors. The webinar will provide an overview of the robotic solutions currently available in the food and agriculture sectors, clarify where robotics is most effective, and identify which processes are better suited to automation rather than robotics. They will provide a clear method of how they assess your company’s position. This will help you understand the unique value that robotics can offer compared to automation.

The overview of HIE’s innovation support services will be valuable for those interested in developing and testing prototype products or processes.

By the end of the session, you’ll have a better understanding of the robotic solutions readily available, the integration process of new technology, where robotics is more suitable compared to automation, and how the National Robotarium can support your journey into robotics.

Redefining hospitality through a culture of innovation, sustainability and embracing diversity, equality and inclusion

Background

Glen Mhor, a hospitality business based in Inverness, is committed to redefining hospitality by fostering a culture of sustainability, green energy innovation, improved mental health and wellbeing, and embracing diversity, equality, and inclusion.
In 2006, Jon and Victoria Erasmus bought the Glen Mhor Hotel, and have since expanded by purchasing neighbouring buildings converting them into hotel accommodation and apartments. They have also built a low carbon Brewery and Distillery within the grounds of the hotel.
In 2022, they opened their river water source energy centre to decarbonise the hotel’s heating and hot water system. Through the construction of groundwater boreholes and the use of water source heat pumps, there is only one building left to connect in 2024 to see the business entirely gas free. This water source energy centre is the first of its kind in Scotland.
Their mission is to provide an exceptional guest experience whilst leaving a positive impact on the planet and community.

Challenges

Jon and Victoria were keen to explore two distinct areas of their business which they recognised would require external expertise.
The first, to develop a robust, evidence-based methodology for assessing and monitoring the new water source energy centre. As this is the first of its kind there is no data available to study the usage and contrast of how this compares from the old gas systems.
The second challenge focussed on their workforce and the adoption and integration of new workforce processes and practices to enable inclusive workforce onboarding and practices to support neurodiverse staff.

Solution – energy centre

Interface connected Glen Mhor to the School of Engineering, Computing and the Built Environment at Glasgow Caledonian University (GCU) who have expertise in the area of energy management, carbon assessment and Life Cycle Assessment (LCA). Professor Jim Baird undertook a detailed assessment of the metered energy systems and costs to develop an economic model for the hotel. The system analysis will also determine the amount of carbon emissions saved through the implementation of the energy centre.
This project was funded through a Standard Innovation Voucher designed to support the development of a new product, process, or service for a company.

Solution – workforce

Interface identified expertise at Edinburgh College from lecturer LizAnn Francis and Student Services Officer Rachel Robinson. Through this partnership, Glen Mhor and Edinburgh College devised a new recruitment policy and inclusive job advert template – both of which prioritise inclusivity, offering a sensory-friendly experience from application to employment.
This project was funded through a Workplace Innovation Voucher designed to develop a company’s internal workforce, including new or enhanced workplace processes, innovative workplace practices, or innovative business expertise.

Business Benefits

• Sharing best practices and looking at ways to future proof and develop its green vision further is core to Glen Mhor’s mission.
• Following the project with GCU Glen Mhor fully realise the benefits of their energy centre investment and are well placed to promote the project as best practice to the wider Scottish community.
• They have safeguarded and created jobs, increased turnover and reduced costs.
• For their work with Edinburgh College, early benefits include tailored support for job applicants and improved staff retention using health passports.
• Looking ahead, societal impacts are expected to include a more inclusive work environment, increased job satisfaction, and meaningful employment for neurodivergent individuals and those facing mental health issues.

University and College Benefits

• The project has offered Edinburgh College a greater understanding of workplace requirements to support neurodivergent people, mental health and disability employment. The cross collaboration within the college between the commercial department and the college student services provided real insight and practical solutions to what is normally theoretical HR policy.
• For Glasgow Caledonian University, their project has provided an opportunity to gain insight into the economics of transitioning low carbon solutions for heating commercial properties. It is hoped that further analysis can take place as more data is collected from the new system.

Inverness Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual business to business events and exhibition from 23rd to 27th September in Inverness culminating in the Highland Business Awards Lunch. This annual, five day event offers highland businesses opportunities to exhibit, network, collaborate and celebrate.

Launched this month, Highland Business Week 2024 is an opportunity to network, showcase and celebrate, whatever the scale of your business or organisation. Anchored by the popular Highland Spotlight exhibition and the annual Highland Business Awards, the week itself is an opportunity for the Inverness business community to be part of the programme and showcase their specialisms through crafted events, workshops or masterclasses that inform, inspire and educate.  Organised by Inverness Chamber of Commerce, and supported by media partner Highland News & Media, the annual business festival will take place from 23 to 27 September.

Lorraine Thomson of Interface will be in attendance during the week.

Highland Business Awards

The Highland Business Awards are now open for entries. They’re a great opportunity to tell the Highland business community about your success. The Awards are open to all Highland businesses – large and small, new and well established, and from every sector – so there should be an award category for every business to enter – you don’t even have to be a Chamber member! You can nominate your own business or any other organisation that you think deserves the recognition. Closing Date is Friday 9 August.

Contact the events team for more information: events@inverness-chamber.co.uk

The Highlands’ biggest dedicated business to business exhibition returns on Tuesday 24 September, providing organisations and companies the time and space to meet together in a collaborative setting. 

Part of the tenth Highland Business Week, which this year will run from Monday 23 to Friday 27 September, Highland Spotlight provides an opportunity to forge lasting connections with people across the region and learn more about the products and services available on our doorstep.

Entry for business visitors is free. Save time on the day and pre-register online.

Pre-registration will close at 5.00pm on Thursday 19 September.

Moray Business Showcase – Moray Chamber’s business to business exhibition is the perfect opportunity for networking, collaboration & growth. Giving you the opportunity to make new business connections and gives your business the perfect platform to sell itself.

Wednesday 5th June 2024
From 10am – 2pm
Moray Sports Centre,
Linkwood Road, Elgin

Whether you want to work with local businesses for procurement, recruitment, business services such as legal, accountancy or even stationery supplies, then the Moray Business Showcase provides you the opportunity to grow your network.

Carol-Ann Adams of Interface will be hosting a table at the showcase so be sure to pop along and say hello and find out how Interface can help you.