NETWORKING
DINING
ENTERTAINING
Welcome to the newsletter for the Scottish Region 2010 Annual Dinner. Please check back regularly for any updates.
We are pleased to announce that this year's dinner will be held on Friday 29th October 2010 in the Thistle Glasgow Hotel. This is a black tie event, and the evening will commence 7.00 for 7.30pm.
In today’s changing business climate, strong working relationships are of the utmost importance, and this occasion is ideal for networking and strengthening existing relationships. Over 400 engineers attended last year's event and used this opportunity to entertain clients, celebrate with partners and network with personnel from some of Scotland's most successful engineering companies in an enjoyable environment.
VENUE
Further details for the venue, including directions, can be found via the following link: http://www.thistle.com/en/hotels/united_kingdom/glasgow/thistle_glasgow/index.html
We have agreed a rate of £85 B&B per standard room with the hotel (there is a £30 supplement for Executive Rooms). Please book with them directly on 0871 376 9043 or reservations.glasgow@thistle.co.uk and mention "Institution of Mechanical Engineers".
Details of the menu and wine lists, etc. will posted nearer the time.
Our main event will be held in the Grand Ballroom:
SPEAKERS
The keynote speaker for the evening will be Nick Horler, CEO of Scottish Power. Nick was appointed Scottish Power CEO in June 2008 following an impressive career in which he has held senior strategic roles in major companies both in the UK and abroad.
His appointment follows the company's successful integration with Iberdrola, one of the world's largest energy companies. Scottish Power has quickly become a principal engine of growth of the Iberdrola Group, employing 10,000 people in the generation, transmission and retail of energy in the UK. Before joining Scottish Power, Nick was Executive Director of E.ON UK Plc and has held other senior executive positions in that group for more than 10 years. Prior to this he spent 12 years with Phillips Petroleum (now ConocoPhillips) where progressed to Sales and Marketing Director.
Nick is married with a family of three. HE attended the University of Newcastle-Upon-Tyne and subsequently gained an MBA from Warwick University.
Eric Davidson will provide entertainment for the evening. With his hilarious satirical poetry along with lovely personal anecdotes, Eric Davidson is without doubt one of the finest speakers on the After Dinner Circuit.
He was raised in that Cultural Cul De Sac, the Creme De La Skimmed Milk of all Scottish mining villages, Newtongrange. He now lives with his wife Jackie and two young daughters in the Midlothian Village of Pathhead.
Even at the tender age of 11, Eric knew he was bound for stardom. His Stylophone rendition of Chuck Berry's "My Ding-A-Ling" took the Newtongrange Church Opportunity Knocks competition by storm!
In his teens he tried ventriloquisim, but ended up too heavy for the guys knee! After a spell at thrashing a drum kit around for a local Punk Rock Band, Eric started writing and performing comic Poetry. In the year 2000 he performed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival in the hit show "Rhymes and Misdemeanours". In 2003 Eric started performing on the busy After Dinner Circuit. He has performed across the length and breadth of the country picking up several awards along the way.
He also has a sporting claim to fame. In 1989 he scored a wonderful goal for Coldstream against Albion Rovers in the 2nd round of the Scottish Cup! Eric does admit, however, that in those days Albion Rovers were not the powerful force in Scottish Football they are today!
BOOKING
If you are interested in taking a table at this year's event, please contact the Dinner Secretary - Jacqueline Brown on 0141 221 7156 or j_brown@imeche.org. Tables of 10 will be priced at £550 (this has been held at last year's price as we understand the current financial climate).
