Licensing Conference Promises to be Anything but Dry!

A host of licensing experts are lining up to take part in Scotland's first industry only conference which promises to be anything but dry!

Around 200 delegates are expected to attend Best Bar None Glasgow's Raise the Bar event at the Radisson Blu Hotel on Tuesday 3 October.

Annabelle Ewing, the Scottish Government Minister for Community Safety & Legal Affairs, and Mandy Haeburn-Little, CEO of the Scottish Business Resilience Centre, are among those who will address the audience.

Experts including Jo Graham, Chair of BII Scotland; Paul Waterson of the Scottish Licensed Trade Association; solicitors Archie MacIver and Stephen McGowan, Mairi Millar, Legal Manager, Licensing, Glasgow City Council; and Stuart Patrick, Chief Executive of Glasgow Chamber of Commerce, will also take part in a question and answer session.

A DJ and magician will entertain guests during an informal buffet lunch in a marketplace with around 30 stands where suppliers will showcase their products.

Delegates will also have the chance to enjoy two of 10 workshops covering everything from noise management and recognising counterfeit goods to protecting your premises against drugs misuse and what Glasgow's forthcoming review of licensing policy will mean for licensees.

Councillor Susan Aitken, Leader of Glasgow City Council, will welcome guests to the conference.

She said: "Once again Glasgow is leading the way in this sector, the city's thriving night-time economy attracts visitors to Glasgow where they enjoy a great night out. Initiatives like Best Bar None Glasgow ensure people can relax and enjoy themselves in a safe and pleasant environment. This conference will bring together experts in this sector to share best practice and specialist knowledge. It promises to be an interesting event!"

Best Bar None Glasgow was developed in partnership with Glasgow City Alcohol and Drugs Partnership, Glasgow City Council, Community Safety Glasgow, Police Scotland, Scottish Fire & Rescue and the Scottish Late Night Operators Association. The initiative has since been replicated across other Scottish cities under the management of a national approach by the Scottish Business Resilience Centre. Glasgow's Best Bar None organises regular training seminars in conjunction with the Tennent's Academy for venues on topics such as stewarding, crime scene preservation, drug prevention, responsible drinking and recognising / protecting vulnerable people.

Eleanor Lee of Community Safety Glasgow which runs Best Bar None Glasgow said: "The conference is designed to be informative, entertaining and interactive. We're delighted to have several high profile licensing experts on-board. We wanted to avoid overloading people with information and have pulled together a running order which is enjoyable as well as informative."

Tickets for the conference cost £40 each including breakfast and lunch. BBN Glasgow members will receive a discounted rate of £30. Phone 0141 276 7552 to book or visit www.bbnglasgow.com for more information.