Delegates at the Scottish Leisure Network Group’s annual conference 2023 highlight collaboration to tackle increasing strains on the sector ahead of a New Year; award winners announced
The Scottish Leisure Network Group’s annual conference returned in November last year. With a theme of ‘the past, present and future’, delegates and speakers were in a reflective mood as we begin a new year.
The event was held at the Inchyra Hotel in Falkirk and featured – as ever – a stellar array of speakers.
These included Keith Burnett, chief executive of global markets at Les Mills, Jon Nasta, director of Retention Solutions, Moray Leisure CEO John O’Kane and Karen Wernham, West Lothian Leisure, who took part in a Q&A.
Scottish Leisure Network Group
Over the course of the day, attendees had the opportunity to not only listen to the line-up of expert speakers, but to also engage in specialist panels that were giving insights into issues such as Employee Training, Food & Beverage, Active Ageing and Events.
The morning began with networking coffee followed by a welcome from Vicki Kennedy, SLNG Chair before handing over to Vice Chair Nichola Mclachlan, who was host for the day.
The first session of the day was a strategic partner update from Community Leisure UK, CIMSPA and ukactive. The organisations gave an overview of the latest developments and statistics that are current challenges and opportunities for the Scottish Leisure Industry.
ukactive CEO Huw Edwards highlighted opportunities for collaboration for the industry going forward.
He noted the importance of using market intelligence to best present a case with as much information as possible, including where the sector is currently at, and the pressure points being faced.
Community Leisure UK is currently working with ukactive to support education within the sector.
Net Zero targets
Experts at the event also set out proposals to tackle the issues facing the leisure sector for 2024, including the battle to meet Net Zero targets.
Kirsty Cummings, CEO at Community Leisure UK provided valuable insights into the Scottish Leisure Industry from surveys conducted, giving the audience the chance to better understand what is going on within Scotland and the UK.
She informed delegates that the sector is facing financial pressures, ageing infrastructure and that the status quo is no longer sustainable.
She said that “a key concern for the sector a focus on the route to net-zero.” She urged the industry to “future proofing” was vital for sustainability.
“[There is a] need for carbon literacy training and having a fully carbon literate workforce in order to deliver on the journey towards net-zero,” she added.
Also speaking at the event at the McDonald Inchyra Hotel and Spa in Falkirk, Sport Scotland CEO Forbes Dunlop said that more work was to be done to reduce the industry’s carbon footprint.
Opportunities
Customer experience and how this can be approved was another theme at the event, with Nasta highlighting the work that needs to be done and where opportunities lie going forward.
“There is only one thing that your competitors can’t copy and that is how you make your guests feel,” he said.
“Brands deliver promises – what promise do you want to make? People’s lifestyles have declined so people need to exercise more – this is a great opportunity for sport/physical activity providers.”
Another general theme from delegates is that the industry was being asked to “do a lot more, with a lot less”. As faith in the public sector dwindles, pressures on the industry are growing and delegates felt that greater collaboration will be needed to deliver.
The conference was followed the Scottish not-for-profit education and leisure awards, followed by a lively drinks reception.
This year’s award winners were:
