GET INTO 2014 - NEWSLETTER Your guide to stories, news and business opportunities in the Highlands and Islands throughout 2014
2014
EVENTS
Jan - Dec 1 - 15 July 23 July - 3 Aug 23 - 28 Sept
The Year of Homecoming Queen’s Baton Relay tours the Highlands and Islands Commonwealth Games Ryder Cup
June 2014
Issue 3
MAY EVENTS 29 30 30
Improve Your Search Engine Ranking Get Real Results From Your Website Improve Your Search Engine Ranking
JUNE EVENTS 2 3 4-5 5 5 7-8 14 16 19 21 20-26 20 28-30 28
2 Day Business Start Up Workshop International E-Commerce Workshop goNORTH Arran Folk Festival International E-Commerce Workshop UCI Mountain Bike World Cup Monsterfest Preparing to Export Introductory Marketing and Selling Skills Workshop Commonwealth Ceilidh St Magnus International Festival Record Keeping Workshop Sanday Soulka in June Piping Hot Forres, European Pipe Band Championship
For further details on all of the above events please visit www.hie.co.uk/2014
GONORTH COMES TO TOWN
Over 1000 delegates are set to attend Scotland’s leading Creative Industries trade event, goNORTH on 4-5 June in Inverness.
There is something for everybody including fashion, interior design, publishing and broadcasting and music.
A world-class programme will be delivered, with former head of New Media at Sony Music UK, Neil Cartwright delivering an exciting keynote speech. He will highlight this year’s theme, “the future of digital” in Scotland’s Creative Industries.
The festival will take place across several venues in Inverness city centre and this year it promises to be bigger and brighter than ever. This is event is completely free of charge and open for all to attend, register for your place now by visiting gonorthfestival.co.uk
YOUR 2014 BUSINESS OPPORTUNITIES • Procurement opportunities for the Commonwealth Games: log onto www.glasgowbusinessportal.co.uk
QUEEN’S BATON ON ITS WAY
•
The final leg of the Queen’s Baton Relay (QBR) begins on 14 June when it arrives back in Scotland, where it will spend the next 40 days, including 11 in the Highlands and Islands.
Procurement opportunities for Ryder Cup: look at www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk (Short lead opportunities will appear on both sites in the lead up to the games, so keep your eyes peeled for opportunities).
• Check out the VisitScotland website by clicking here – there is a host of information and a useful Homecoming toolkit to help your business make the most of 2014.
Local authorities across the region are planning events for communities
to welcome the baton. Find out here when the Queen’s Baton will be near you. Find out here when the Queen’s Baton will be near you.
Get into 2014 - Newsletter
June 2014
Page 02
A REAL TASTE OF SCOTLAND A Highland Dairy has developed a new cheese to give visitors a real taste of Scotland to celebrate the year of Homecoming Scotland 2014. Connage Highland Dairy has used traditional skills to develop their new “Whisky Dunlop” cheese. “This cheese is an ideal product for Homecoming because it combines our organic Highland Dunlop with organic Highland whisky - you don’t get much more Scottish than that!” explains Jill Clarke from Connage Highland Dairy.
Involvement in Homecoming 2014 has greatly benefited this traditional family-owned dairy. “Being able to add a new cheese to our range helps us to grow our business within the Scottish market, but also across the UK and into international markets.” Your business may be able to benefit from Homecoming by developing a signature product or if you are organising an event, add it to the Homecoming programme to enjoy international publicity. For other business opportunities download the Homecoming toolkit from www.visitscotland.org
ST MAGNUS INTERNATIONAL FESTIVAL CELEBRATIONS Don’t miss out on Orkney’s annual midsummer celebrations of the arts. The prestigious St Magnus International Festival returns on 20-26 June with a diverse programme of events. This year will be distinctive as Homecoming 2014 will see many old friends of the Festival return to celebrate the 80th birthday of founder Sir Peter Maxwell Davies. Orkney’s historic links with Norway and the marking of 70 years since the release of the Italian POWs and the creation of the Italian Chapel will all be celebrated.
Each year the Festival brings together a series of internationally renowned acts, including the BBC Scottish Symphony Orchestra under the esteemed conductor Thomas Dausgaard, Russian baritone Sergei Leiferkus, Laus Concentus from Italy and the British oboist Nicholas Daniel. Communities from across Orkney will collaborate with the visiting orchestras to add an exciting dimension to this annual festival. Visit www.stmagnusfestival.com to book your place now.
ARE YOU GETTING FIT IN ’14? Highlands and Islands Enterprise staff are joining businesses across the region to get more active at work. HIE has joined the Government led Legacy campaign, Fit in ’14, to encourage staff to get more active by making physical activity a part of their everyday lives. An action packed fortnight of sports saw staff from across the region get involved in a range of sports from running along the stunning Stornoway coastline to power Scotland Welcomes the World 2014
hooping in Lochgilphead! According to the Scottish Government, a healthier workforce can lead to lower staff turnover, 27% fewer sick days and 25% less work place accidents. Most of all having healthier staff will leave a lasting legacy on your business by improving job satisfaction and increasing productivity. It’s easy to get involved, so why not sign your business up today? Visit www.fitin14.org
RYDER CUP TWEED UNVEILED An official tweed collection, designed to mark this year’s Ryder Cup tournament, has been unveiled. Harris Tweed Hebrides, based in Shawbost, on the Isle of Lewis has created in collaboration with Walker Slater, a limited edition Ryder Cup clothing and accessories collection. Margaret A Macleod, Brand Development Director at Harris Tweed Hebrides, said: “We pride ourselves in having skilled artisans throughout the company, representing generations of
experience in this unique island industry steeped in heritage.” HIE is committed to the Harris Tweed industry and the sustained employment it creates. Harris Tweed Hebrides now employs around 75 people in the fragile area. HIE’s Rachel Mackenzie, said: “HIE congratulates the company in becoming the official supplier to the Ryder Cup. They are an excellent example of an iconic Scottish brand working with a global event to showcase the best of Scotland on the world stage.” www.hie.co.uk