Events directorate

Our events directorate is led by Paul Bush OBE. The directorate takes a strategic lead in the Scottish events sector.

It does so by working closely across our organisation and with partners such as:

• Scottish Government
• local authorities
• the Scottish events industry
• UK and international partners

Rebecca Edser leads the EventScotland team. Together, they devise and put in place strategies and plans to meet the overall goals of VisitScotland. They also deliver the national events strategy, Scotland the Perfect Stage.

The team's primary focus is to build on Scotland’s credentials as a leading events destination. As part of this, they bid for and develop a strong sporting and cultural events portfolio with the help of direct investment and other support.

The EventScotland team also maximises and measures the impact of events in Scotland. Strong partnerships are cornerstone of the team’s work. This collaborative approach has attracted and secured many high-profile international events to Scotland.

Marie Christie leads the development - events industry team. This team plays an important role in supporting the events industry and wider economy. The team's main focus is to work with partners, share knowledge, and help to deliver quality events.

The team delivers a range of activity across three key strands:

• strategic leadership and co-ordination of Scotland’s Themed Years

• delivery of events and exhibitions. These include VisitScotland Connect, the Scottish Thistle Awards, and the National Events Conference

• events industry development through a programme of engagement and activity to promote best practice

Neil Brownlee leads the business events team. The team helps secure business events for Scotland from around the world, notably from North America, Germany, France, Spain and the rest of the UK. These include conventions, corporate meetings, incentive groups, and product launches.  

The team works in partnership with the city convention bureaus of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Dundee, and Aberdeen. They also work with key venues, hotels and academic centres of excellence. The team helps attract business events which are related to Scotland’s key growth sectors. These include life sciences, fintech, digital, energy and food and drink. 

The team's aim is to drive Scotland’s economic and social progress through business events. 

Before joining EventScotland in 2003, Paul was Chef De Mission for The Scottish Commonwealth Games team.

He was awarded an OBE in the 2007 Queen’s New Year honours list for services to Commonwealth sport.

Paul was also the chairman of Commonwealth Games Scotland in 2015. 

He's currently chairman of British Curling and the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships.