Remain in EU - Stand Out Message from Hugely Successful AgriScot

AgriScot organisers celebrated a hugely successful inaugural online event earlier this week.

Chairman, Robert Neill, commented:

“It goes without saying, Covid got in the way of our plans for a normal live AgriScot 2020.”

“Back in the summer, we decided to press ahead with an alternative, online format. We felt that the platform offered by AgriScot – as a showcase for innovation, new thinking and a place for discussion should not be completely lost, given the current issues facing Scottish farming.”

“I can honestly say that the gamble, because it was a gamble, paid off. We had far more delegates taking part than we ever expected, and interestingly 99% of the almost 1400 registered delegates participated. Our very experienced digital event manager said that is unheard of, 20% no-shows is the norm in online events – well done rural Scotland for surpassing all expectations!”

“It was great to have delegates participating from 16 different countries too!”

“We had some extremely good webinar sessions and I must also applaud the efforts put in by our 70+ virtual tradestand holders. The advice and best practice and knowledge transfer offered to our farming delegates was second to none. In addition to tradestand visits, I believe over 150 one-to-one meetings were spontaneously held between individuals, organisations and businesses taking part.”

“I would just end by saying that our simple poll, conducted during the main political seminar and attracting almost 220 responses, shows the depth of feeling amongst our delegates with regards to Brexit. When asked, 75% of them said that they would vote to remain in the EU, only 20% would vote leave with 5% undecided. Faced with results like that, I guess caused by the looming uncertainty ahead, I’m so glad we could go ahead with AgriScot and I hope everyone who attended took away something to help build resilience and sustainability into their business.”

“Huge thanks to everyone involved in making AgriScot online such a success in 2020, especially our mainline sponsors, RBS, The Scottish Farmer, Barclays, and NFUS and also Thomas Sherriff and the various seminar hosts and sponsors - we look forward to working with you all for a bigger, better physical AgriScot on 17th November 2021.”