Home|Organise an Event|Exhibitions|SEC40

SEC40

40 Years Bold

2025 marks 40 years of the SEC at the heart of the UK exhibition industry. For four decades, organisers have chosen to take the bold step of bringing their events to Glasgow — and in doing so, they have created success stories that continue to shape our sector.

From high-energy athletes to gin connoisseurs.

From high-octane F1 racing to other-worldly immersive experiences.

From grassroots innovators to Europe's largest indoor funfair.

We’ve been proud to host them all. But more importantly, we’ve been proud to support the organisers behind them — the people who looked beyond the familiar, took the leap into Scotland, and discovered a place where ambition is rewarded.

Some were first-time organisers, testing a new idea. Others were established names, ready to expand their reach. Many have become regular fixtures on our exhibition calendar. All of them have one thing in common: they were brave enough to go bold.

And we love bold, we recognise bold as we’re not afraid to make big statements too. We helped redraw Glasgow’s skyline, with not one but two Foster + Partners designed icons – the SEC Armadillo and OVO Hydro. We turned our campus into the world’s meeting room for COP26, we annually host Europe’s largest indoor funfair – the IRN Bru Carnival. In 2014 we welcomed the Commonwealth Games and look forward to doing it all again in 2026.

We’re not afraid to try something new, push the envelope in our pursuit of Creating incredible..

That’s what SEC40 BOLD is here to celebrate. Not just our anniversary, but the organisers who defined our journey. The clients who gave Glasgow a chance — and proved that big ideas thrive here. Their decisions, their energy and their belief are what took the SEC from a new venue, into a home for exhibitions of every shape and size.

And that’s why we’re proud to be supporting the EN Indy Expo + Awards 2025 (18 Oct). Just as the awards recognise independence, creativity, and courage across our industry, SEC40 BOLD shines a light on the organisers who showed those very qualities in choosing Glasgow. Together, we honour the industry who have pushed our sector forward — and we look ahead to the next generation ready to do the same.