Glasgow, Scotland's largest city, is one of the most important financial cities in Scotland. With a strong industrial past, including many shipping, construction and textile businesses, Glasgow was one of the first cities in the world to experience the booming growth of the industrial revolution, and during the 18th and 19th centuries, Glasgow earned a reputation as the second city in the British Empire. During the 20th century, Glasgow was also one of the first European cities to experience the economic effects of post-industrial decline.Over the years, Glasgow has constantly reinvented itself and today is full of knowledge and service-based industries, including Glasgow tourism, Glasgow media and Glasgow culture. Glasgow is also full of many important Scottish businesses, banks, insurance groups, law firms and software companies, and Glasgow also has many large office blocks. With a large amount of self-promotion and many thriving Glasgow companies, Glasgow has earned itself the prestigious title of European City of Culture and UK City of Architecture and Design, as well as the unofficial title of style capital of Scotland.
The pace of business life in Glasgow tends to be fairly relaxed and less hectic than some major cities in England and Scotland. There are also numerous tourist attractions in and around Glasgow and these continue to thrive as the city of Glasgow expands. The hotel industry reflects the high number of tourists and Glasgow is full of hotels and guest houses, with competitive prices.
Scottish Exhibition and Conference CentreAddress: Finnieston Quay, Glasgow, G3 8YW, Scotland, UK
Tel: +44 (0)141 248 3000
The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre is Glasgow's most popular conference and meeting venue and offers excellent facilities for Glasgow business. Located in the West End of Glasgow, next to the scenic River Clyde, the Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre features stunning architecture, an auditorium that seats around 3,000 people, other meeting areas with a capacity of around 10,000 people, more than 20,000 square metres of exhibition space, several small halls, restaurants and business centres. The Scottish Exhibition and Conference Centre is a popular venue in Glasgow for festivals, Glasgow concerts, conferences, conventions and exhibitions of all sizes, and is close to Glasgow's Exhibition Centre train station.
Open: Monday to Friday - 10:00 to 18:00, Saturday - 10:00 to 17:00
Business Hours and General Etiquette
In both dress and manners, locals in Glasgow are fairly formal and normal business courtesies should still be observed. The degree of formality necessary depends upon the actual nature of the business, with financial and legal professions being more formal than computer and media organizations. Many men still wear suits and short sleeve shirts are acceptable during the summer months in Glasgow. Woman may also wear suits, but tend to be more casual in appearance.
Business hours in the Glasgow area are usually from Monday to Friday, between 09:00 to 18:00, although some Glasgow offices may close slightly later. Many shops are open longer and often throughout the weekends, and some supermarkets in Glasgow are open 24 hours. Banks in Glasgow generally open from 09:00 to 16:30, although some are open until 17:30, and larger branches may also open on Saturday mornings.
Working lunches are a popular way to do business in Glasgow and locals are quick to use first-name terms when appropriate. Some exclusive restaurants in Glasgow have a strict dress code, although most are more informal and a relaxed dress code is acceptable. Drinks or dinner is a popular way to end the hard working week in Glasgow and there are many pubs and wine bars in central Glasgow that are popular with Glasgow businessmen and women.Greeting Someone
A brief and friendly handshake is usually the customary greeting in Glasgow and generally throughout Scotland. New acquaintances are often addressed on first name terms in Glasgow.
Smoking
Many restaurants in Glasgow have a strict 'no smoking' policy, although some do tend to cater for smokers in different areas. Most Glasgow offices and businesses are now 'non-smoking' and although the British have neither a positive nor a negative attitude to smoking, it is best to only smoke when in the company of like-minded people.
