We are delighted to invite you to the ABPCO Chairmen’s Lunch and Excellence Awards 12-13th December 2018.   For those of you who have not been before you are in for a treat!  It is an interactive event, with presentations from each of the nominated finalists with peer judging on the day.  It really supports our values #excellence #learning #belonging and our desire to enable human enrichment through face to face gatherings.  As you probably know, the submissions for the voted awards are in, and the finalists will be announced at the beginning of September.   You have until the end of October to enter for a Chairmen’s Special Award, how to enter can be found here https://bit.ly/2sL4rDq This year we are heading to Glasgow!  Thank you to Kathleen Warden and Shelley Spencer from SEC and to Aileen Crawford and the team at the Glasgow Convention Bureau for sponsoring our annual celebration event of the year.  Glasgow, voted one of the friendliest cities in the world and UNESCO City of Music, is famed for its Victorian architecture and the works of Charles Rennie Mackintosh, for which the city is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2018.  This hugely popular event will start on 12th December at 5.45pm with a tour of the newly opened Clydesdale whisky distillery, followed by our Networking Dinner in the SkyBar of the UK’s first Radisson Red.  An optional tour of the city, whilst enjoying tea and scones, will be hosted by the Glasgow Convention Bureau prior to lunch and the Excellence Awards on the 13th December. The action packed itinerary is as follows; Wednesday 12th December 5.45pm Clydeside Distillery www.theclydeside.com A new addition to the SEC Campus sees Glasgow’s stills flowing again at the Clydeside Single Malt Scotch Whisky Distillery, just a few minutes’ walk from the SEC. ABPCO guests can immerse themselves in Glasgow’s Dockside Story as they wander around this engaging and informative exhibition. Gather on the SEC concourse to walk to the distillery at 5:45pm.  7.15pm Radisson Red https://www.radissonred.com/glasgow/ In 2018 Glasgow welcomed the UK’s first Radisson RED and the city’s first official rooftop bar where ABPCO guests will enjoy a panoramic view of the SEC campus during an informal drinks and buffet dinner.  The cost for the supper is £40 per person, payable in advance. Accommodation Glasgow Convention Bureau have kindly organised special accommodation rates, these specially negotiated rates are shown at this website. Once registered you will be able to arrange accommodation through the official website.  Please contact Lynn-Ann from the Convention Bureau to arrange your transfers.  Just call 0141 566 0836 or email  lynn-ann.thomson@glasgowconventionbureau.com with your travel details.  Thursday 13th December Blow away the cobwebs from the night before with a leisurely city tour. 9.30am Red Bus Bistro  https://redbusbistro.co.uk/glasgow-bus-tours/ Step aboard the vintage Routemaster bus with the Glasgow Convention Bureau team and enjoy a brief city tour, while enjoying morning tea or coffee with warm home-baked scones served with traditional preserves and cream. This carefully converted sightseeing bus provides a delightful atmosphere for ABPCO guests as they familiarise themselves with the city. Hosted by Glasgow Convention Bureau. Check out and meet at the SEC at 9.30am, bring your luggage to the SEC Cloakroom. It’s a 9.45am departure for the hour long Glasgow tour 11am Conversation with Liz Agostini from Confex in Clyde Built for a coffee and a chat about the sessions you would like to see included on Day 1 at Confex 2019 for the Association Event Forum.  Liz has lots of potential topics and speakers, and she would like your help to refine these into a valuable stream.  Come along for a bit of fun and informal voting! 11.30am SEC tour never been to the SEC?  Join Shelley for an orientation tour of this impressive venue.  Meet outside Clyde Built at the entrance to the concourse. 11.45am Chairmen’s Lunch and the prestigious Excellence Awards. The Excellence Awards are a fantastic opportunity to recognise and celebrate excellence, best practice and the best in our industry.  We look forward to a lovely lunch, great wine, super company and of course the presentations from the finalists in each award category.  Come along to network, learn, share best practice and celebrate the achievements of ABPCO members. 3.15pm The event finishes at 3.15pm, but if you fancy staying on in the City for a spot of sight-seeing or Christmas shopping then Lynn-Ann will have lots of great suggestions for you. As you can see, we have planned an exciting couple of days and hope that you will join us for as much as possible.   The deadline for booking is the 1st December, so get it in your diaries now, and let Heather know which elements you are attending, and whether you have any dietary requirements. We will see you in Glasgow!