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Scotland first developed a national strategic approach to events in 2003.

Since then, Scotland has:

  • successfully established a global reputation for excellence in events delivery
  • supported a strong and dynamic events industry
  • produced a world-class portfolio of business, sport, and cultural events that contribute significant economic, social, and cultural benefits to Scotland

In this article:

Scotland's National Events Strategy

Scotland’s National Events Strategy 2024-2035 aims to build on the events industry’s many achievements to date.

The strategy refresh has been shaped by the Scottish Government, our Industry and Events Directorate, Scotland’s Events Industry Advisory Group (EIAG), Local Authorities, COSLA, Trade Union representatives, and those who responded to the consultation process.

The refreshed 2024 to 2035 strategy aims to provide a strategic focus for all those involved in planning, securing, supporting, and delivering events of all sizes in Scotland. It will help build on our status as a world-leading events destination.

Action Plan

The Action Plan 2025-2026 has been developed to build on the "next steps" set out in the National Events Strategy. It describes specific actions and measures for the current financial year and is intended to be a pragmatic starting point, ensuring focus and accountability.

This 2025-2026 Action Plan was agreed by the Events Industry Advisory Group (EIAG) in June 2025, following its development by a sub-group that was set up to lead on and oversee this work.

Following a review of progress to be undertaken in spring 2026, the approach for developing and delivering the strategy’s Action Plan is expected to be further refined. 

Scotland's National Events Strategy

Published May 2024

Download (6Mb)

Scotland's National Events Strategy – summary

Published May 2024

Download (719Kb)

Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta Thachartasan na h-Alba

Published May 2024

Download (6Mb)

Ro-innleachd Nàiseanta Thachartasan na h-Alba - geàrr-chunntas

Published May 2024

Download (707Kb)

National Events Strategy Action Plan 2025-2026

Published February 2026

Download (208Kb)

About the National Events Strategy

  • Vision

    Scotland is the Perfect Stage for Events.

  • Mission

    Sustain and develop, through a "Team Scotland" approach, a dynamic, resilient, and responsible events sector that is recognised as a global leader and valued for its contribution to Scotland's wellbeing economy. It will achieve this through the delivery of a world-class, diverse, and inclusive portfolio of cultural, sport and business events - for participants, workforce, communities, and visitors.

  • Strategy

    Delivering the vision and mission is based around three interconnecting strands, each with a number of priority themes.

Interconnecting strands and associated priority themes

The interconnecting strands and priority themes are vital for creating an environment that allows the industry to contribute to the delivery of the five national priority outcomes: economy, community, environment, workforce, and reputation and profile. 

To find out more about the strategic approach and outcomes, please download the summary and / or the full strategy.

  • 1. Developing events

    Priority themes are:

    • inclusive events
    • investment and support
    • the portfolio approach
    • measuring, monitoring, and reporting impacts

  • 2. Developing the industry

    Priority themes are:

    • attract, retain, and develop a diverse talent pool
    • quality planning and delivery
    • responsible events

  • 3. Developing Scotland

    Priority themes are:

    • infrastructure and services
    • reputation and profile
    • visitor economy

Frequently asked questions

Scottish Government supporting impact assessments

Equalities Impact Assessment (EQIA)

gov.scot

Read an assessment of the likely impact of the National Events Strategy against the needs of the equality duty.

Business and Regulatory Impact Assessment (BRIA)

gov.scot

Browse an analysis of the cost and benefits to businesses and the third sector of the National Events Strategy.

Fairer Scotland Duty (FSD) summary

gov.scot

Find out how the strategic decisions considered any reductions in inequalities.

Island Communities Impact Assessment (ICIA)

gov.scot

Discover the impacts of the National Events Strategy on Scotland's island communities.

Children’s Rights and Wellbeing Impact Assessment (CRWIA)

gov.scot

Find out which rights could be either positively, negatively or neutrally impacted by the National Events Strategy.

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Supported events

Browse the list of events supported through EventScotland funding programmes.