Announcing WaterfrontExpo 2011 Scotland

• Learn first hand how seven very different cities from around the globe have undertaken a major transformation of their waterfronts over the last decade.
• Understand how this transformation is stimulating further investment in regeneration and development.
• Gain specific insights into the experience of three major Scottish cities in using waterfront regeneration to create new investment opportunities.

WaterfrontExpo 2011 Scotland will provide an invaluable opportunity to learn how the waterfront regeneration aspirations of seven major cities have been turned into reality, forming the basis of attracting new investment and helping continue the momentum of future urban development.

Officially supported by Clyde Waterfront, Dundee Waterfront, the City of Edinburgh Council, and Glasgow City Council, the WaterfrontExpo 2011 Scotland conference & exhibition will take place at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, SECC Glasgow 2nd & 3rd November.

This marks the 8th WaterfrontExpo in the series of international waterfront regeneration events and the second time that it has been held in Scotland, prompted by the extensive waterfront regeneration that continues to take place in these three major Scottish cities.

Commenting, Councillor Gordon Matheson, Leader of Glasgow City Council and Chair of Glasgow City Marketing Bureau said "We are delighted that the WaterfrontExpo conference has chosen to return to Glasgow, to allow delegates to see and learn how much progress has been made here on the Clyde Waterfront as well as at the Edinburgh and Dundee Waterfronts in the last 5-10 years."

And he added "The fact that it is taking place besides the Clyde at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which has just completed a £800,000 refurbishment of its conferencing facilities, is further testimony to Glasgow's ability to attract and deliver large international conferences"

This year's event will break new ground for this type of event. Rather than the wishful thinking of masterplans, the focus of WaterfrontExpo 2011 will be hard on the actual experience and progress of seven major cities in turning their waterfront regeneration plans into reality, and the new investment opportunities this has created.

The programme is still being finalised but as well as speakers from Chicago, Marseille and the three Scottish waterfronts, the conference also intends to  showcase international regeneration projects from Europe, Asia / Australia. Find out more about featured cities here.

Commenting on the format and content of this year's event, Allan McQuade, Director of Business Infrastructure at Scottish Enterprise, said: "One of the big issues for delegates at regeneration conferences is that they rarely have the opportunity to find out how masterplans and economic aspirations have actually turned out in practice.

"WaterfrontExpo 2011 Scotland will address this shortcoming by offering a superb combination of informative speakers, guided tours of the Clyde and Edinburgh waterfronts as well as city workshops with developers and a civic reception in the stunning Riverside Museum.

"The conference and exhibition will offer an invaluable learning experience for city authorities and waterfront property professionals. For developers and investors seeking investment opportunities, the event will offer an excellent chance to network with existing waterfront investors and assess the investment potential of the 3 Scottish cities."

The event will comprise a comprehensive 2-day conference programme, which incorporates exhibitor displays, includes international case studies, site visits, project workshops, and a Clyde river cruise. The official civic reception will be staged in new Riverside (Transport) Museum designed by world famous architect Zaha Hadid and located besides the River Clyde that has already attracted more than 500,000 visitors since opening on 21 June.

The comprehensive 2-day programme has been devised to meet the needs of developers, city authorities and waterfront professionals and will enable delegates to:

Review the progress and lessons from the regeneration of the waterfronts of Chicago, Marseille and other big international projects

• Examine in depth Scotland's waterfront regeneration experience in Dundee, Edinburgh & Glasgow and see how progress achieved to date has laid the foundations for attracting future investment.
• Hear directly about the experiences of existing developer and investors when it comes to dealing with city authorities.
• Understand how these experiences can be applied to the development and regeneration of other urban waterfronts.
• Meet with key public and private sector organisations to discuss and understand the nature of this collaboration and co-operation.
• Experience a full programme of site visits, workshops, tours, cruises and civic reception.

In addition, delegates will be able to:

• Hear how Dundee was chosen by the internationally renowned Victoria & Albert Museum to host the V&A at Dundee, and about the role of culture in waterfront development.
• See how Glasgow is preparing for the 2014 Commonwealth Games and what the potential impact will be on tourism and the city's economy.
• Visit Edinburgh waterfront to learn about the city's plans to harness its financial expertise, educational excellence and Scotland's focus on renewable energy to further develop a sustainable economy.

Delegate tickets are on sale now, priced at £495 for the private sector and £395 for the public sector. As well as access to the comprehensive programme, this includes all tours, the official civic reception, plus food and refreshments at the event.

The event features a dedicated website at www.waterfrontexpo.com