In a quarter century of running events, Kidz to Adultz have made strides in supporting people with disabilities and additional support needs. This year, they again broke new ground, bringing the event to the Scottish Event Campus (SEC) in Glasgow for the first time.

Running in the UK since 2001 and previously holding its annual Scottish gathering in Edinburgh since 2016, the organisers were now taking fresh steps into a new city, with this year’s event having a special focus on the crucial transition from teenage years to adulthood.

With more than 80 exhibitors, seminars and workshops, the event needed a venue with room for visitors to move around, test products and talk to exhibitors, and one that was easy for everyone to navigate. For Carmel Hourigan, Senior Manager for Kidz to Adultz, the SEC quickly became a key part of making that happen.

"Coming to Glasgow, we wanted to make the event more accessible to people in Scotland and we were also aware that there was a big gap in information for adults as well, so we expanded this event to include adult equipment as well as our usual paediatric offering," explained Carmel.

"The SEC is excellent for transport links and just physically getting in and out of the building. This was a key factor in our decision to come here."

"The venue itself has been perfect for us. It has a Changing Places facility, it's all on the one level, it's got accessible parking and there are lots of hotels in the vicinity, which is a big help for our exhibitors as well."

Planning around the people, not just the building

For the SEC's Customer Experience team, supporting Kidz to Adultz meant looking beyond the building and understanding the people who would be attending.

"Physical access is an important starting point, but for an event like Kidz to Adultz, we wanted to understand much more about the people who would be coming through the doors and the potential barriers they might encounter," said Scott McIntyre, Team Manager, Customer Experience.

The SEC team got involved in the process early, working with the organiser through the Event Manager. A bespoke information pack covering the areas in use and services available helped identify requirements, from sensory packs, ear defenders and wheelchairs to the shuttle service and an accessible buggy.

"One of the biggest considerations when bringing the event to the SEC was accessibility, and given the audience, we were really well placed to make sure visitors felt safe, supported and catered for," said Angela Head, Head of New Business at the SEC.

"From Gus the Bus, our shuttle service, to our Changing Places facilities, the SEC had the facilities and services to support the event and its audience."

Preparation extended to SEC teams and venue partners, with routine and regular briefings and on-floor checks ensuring everyone understood the audience. Colleagues were encouraged to listen and ask how they could help.

"We prepare our people as well as our venue," explained Scott. "Accessibility isn't just about what a customer can physically access. It's also about the experience they have once they arrive, whether our teams understand different needs, including hidden disabilities, and whether people feel comfortable asking us for help."

Supporting the move to Glasgow

Bringing an event to a new city involves more than finding the right venue. With around two years between the initial enquiry and the event itself, the SEC's Event Management team, led by Ann Chisholm, was on hand throughout. They arranged a site visit to help the organiser get to know the venue, followed by regular planning meetings to address concerns as they arose.

"Our event management team is always on hand to offer as much support to organisers as they need," said Angela.

The SEC also helped build awareness of the new event through its marketing channels and targeted database, which are particularly valuable for consumer events, and through connections with key stakeholders in the city.

Additional support was provided through the SEC’s external pr agency, with advance coverage secured in The Scottish Sun and The Herald, with the latter’s education correspondent covering the event on the day.

"We know our audiences well and can help organisers raise awareness of a new event through our social channels and targeted database. We can also connect organisers with key stakeholders in the city, helping make the move to a new venue more manageable."

For Carmel, this was evident in Kidz to Adultz’ experience of working with the SEC team.

"This venue has been on our radar for quite a few years,” she said, “and it was an incredibly smooth process, working with the team here.

"The venue staff have been amazing, so helpful. They could not do enough for us, even last-minute requests that we made while setting up."

Creating the right environment for visitors

The SEC layout gave visitors space to move around, test products and speak directly with exhibitors, while seminars and workshops provided opportunities to learn and connect.

All halls are at ground level, off a broad, flat concourse with automatic doors at both the east and west entrances, and lifts serve the only other floor. A Changing Places facility, just inside the east entrance, continues to set the gold standard for people who require an enhanced accessible toilet, with additional equipment and more space.

The Milligan family from Kilmarnock highlighted the welcoming atmosphere of the event.

"There has been something for all disabilities and we have had no issues, in terms of accessibility," they said. "The vendors have been great, everyone's very inviting and friendly. It has been a great event for us, very local and very easy to get to."

A successful first event in Glasgow

For the organiser, the SEC's location, facilities and wider support made a strong impression.

Carmel said, "For me, the venue was the big positive coming here. The location, everything that the SEC offers. It has everything that you need to run an event for the people who visit Kidz to Adultz."

The first Glasgow edition of the event at the SEC demonstrated the role a venue can play in supporting an organiser to bring an event to a new city, from early planning and understanding the audience, to preparing teams, providing the right services and support throughout delivery.