Business Events
The American-Scottish Foundation® offers a platform for discussion and exchange, the world of business, commerce and innovation has been a core part of the ASF program of work.
The ASF undertakes annual forums and conferences as well as events to spotlight new and historical issues, innovations especially those surrounding energy and conservation.
With grateful thanks to our
Corporate Members, Partners
and Sponsors:
The 21st Annual Scottish NA Community Conference will be held in Alexandria, VA over the weekend of the Alexandria Scottish Christmas Walk, on December 1st and 2nd, 2023. This year's theme is "A Scottish North American Conversation: The Power of our Vibrant Community."
To Learn More and Register Click Here.
| US Currency Tickets |
CAD Currency Tickets |
| Brit Pounds Tickets | |
| CAN'T ATTEND MAKE A DONATION $US |
CAN'T ATTEND MAKE A DONATION $CAD |
HOW CAN WE ENSURE THE ONGOING BONDS OF
SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN FRIENDSHIP?
The Relevance of Scottish Identity in a Globalized World
Presented Online from New York City
by the American-Scottish Foundation
Highlights of the conference include:
Friday, December 4, 2020
Keynote - Clans • Families • Our Names • Our Heritage
Andrew Morrison, Viscount Dunrossil
Saturday, December 5, 2020
Greetings from Scotland
Joni Smith, Counsellor for Scottish Government USA
The Enduring Resonance of the Declaration of Arbroath
Charles Edward Bruce, Lord Bruce DL MA MSc FSA Scot
Scotland’s Influence on North America
Rt. Hon. Henry McLeish, Former First Minister of Scotland
Sunday, December 6, 2020
News From the Lyon Court
Rev. Dr. Joseph Morrow, Lord Lyon King of Arms
To Register and Purchase Tickets:
| All Three Days TICKETS $45 US |
All Three Days TICKETS $45 CAD |
| Friday 12-4 Night TICKETS $20 US |
Friday 12-4 Night TICKETS $20 CAD |
| Saturday 12-5 Morning TICKETS $20 US |
Saturday 12-5 Morning TICKETS $20 CAD |
| Saturday 12-5 Afternoon TICKETS $20 US |
Saturday 12-5 Afternoon TICKETS $20 CAD |
| Sunday 12-6 Morning TICKETS $20 US |
Sunday 12-6 Morning TICKETS $20 CAD |
| CAN'T ATTEND MAKE A DONATION $US |
CAN'T ATTEND MAKE A DONATION $CAD |
To Learn more about the conference Click Here.
Read the Articles About the 2020 Conference
Celtic Life
November/December 2020
2020 was already set to be a year of change for the Scottish North American Leadership Conference, even before anyone knew what “Coronavirus” was; it would be the first gathering in the event's 17-year history under the new banner, the Scottish North American Community Conference.
Read The Article
Scottish Banner
November 2020
The Scottish North American Community Conference (SNACC) was formed by the Chicago Scots and American Scottish Foundation (ASF) with The Detroit St Andrews, COSCA, CASSOC and Scottish Studies Guelph completing the SNACC organization. Held annually the organizers look for it to be a way to bring organizations, clans and groups together to share best practices, ideas and practises and benefit from their shared goals and experiences.
Read the Article
This year’s conference will focus on the Theme:
The Scottish North American Diaspora: Our Scottish Ancestral Roots and the Cultural Pathways That Guided Our Journey.
Registration information and further conference details Click Here.
2018 Scottish North American Leadership Conference
This year’s conference will focus on the Theme:
Transferring our Scottish Heritage to the Next Generation Through Music, Arts & Culture.
Utilizing panels and the presentations with performances by musicians and artists representing the traditional
and modern Scottish performing arts.
CLICK HERE for Registration and further details:
Friday Evening
Leadership Conference Reception and Banquet with whisky tasting, Entertainment by Michigan's premier youth fiddle performers, The Chelsea House Orchestra.
Banquet address delivered by Kirstin Bridier, National Trust for Scotland Foundation USA.
Saturday
A full day of programming with panel discussions and forums for the exchange of ideas.
Special Conference Guest Speaker
Rory Hedderly, Second Secretary for Scottish Affairs for North America
For greater audience involvement, the program will include webinars for remote observation and participation in the Conference.
SATURDAY EVENING
Mix and Mingle - informal evening at the Kilgour Centre
Performances from Jamie McGeechan aka Little Fire who joins us from Scotland bringing his unique blend of Burns tradition to today
and Sean Heely, A Scottish National Fiddle Champion, and award-winning composer,
Sunday Morning
An opportunity to discuss and summarize reflections on the theme, a time to draw lessons on how Scottish North American leaders can utilize the arts to promote a broad multi-generational interest in Scottish Heritage and Cultural Tourism.
2017 SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
2O16 WORLD CANALS CONFERENCE
The 2016 World Canals Conference took place in Inverness, Scotland, from September 19-22, hosted by Scottish Canals.
Scottish Canals is responsible to the Scottish Government for the management and development of the nation's waterways themselves, which includes 251 bridges, 212 buildings, 256 locks, The Falkirk Wheel, The Kelpies and 19 water supply reservoirs in locations across Scotland.
The World Canal Conference, founded in 2008 by Inland Waterways International , is held annually to bring people and organisations together who support the conservation, use, development and proper management of inland waterways worldwide.
This is the second time Scotland has hosted the Conference which will bring together more than 300 business leaders and global professionals to celebrate achievements and pioneering work taking place across the globe. Topics of discussion will include water management and flood mitigation, engineering and heritage asset management to commercializing the assets, growing tourism, regeneration and the impact of climate change.
Steve Dunlop, Chief Executive of Scottish Canals, said: "We're absolutely thrilled to be hosting the 2016 World Canals Conference and it's shaping up to be the best yet, with a host of world-renowned speakers set to join us amidst the myth and majesty of the Scottish Highlands in September.
"From Panama to Paris, there are a huge number of innovative projects taking place on canals all over the globe and waterways continue to play a vital role in the communities that line their banks."
Joining from the Americas will be:
Roland Lewis, President and CEO of the Waterfront Alliance, New York, will join as a keynote speaker on day two of the four-day conference.
He will draw on his extensive experience in leading the transformation and regeneration of New York and New Jersey's waterways and 700 miles of shoreline into a vibrant, healthy, resilient, and accessible resource.
Since the Waterfront Alliance's inception in 2007, the Alliance has grown into a coalition of more than 900 organisations working together to bring about real change in New York and New Jersey.
Alexander 'Pete' Grannis, First deputy comptroller for New York State Office of the State Comptroller (OSC), Commissioner on the Erie Canalway National Heritage Corridor Commission and former Commissioner of New York State Department of Environmental Conservation.
From fighting to clean up long-festering toxic waste sites and reducing damaging acid rain to championing groundbreaking laws to increase recycling, Mr Grannis has been driving positive environmental change for more than three decades.
Grannis will speak on day four of the conference, joining the likes of Professor Mark Horton - presenter of BBC's Coast - and the Heritage Lottery Fund's Dame Seona Reid.
Completing the trio of speakers from the Americas is DanielFábrega, the Panamanian Ambassador to the United Kingdom who will be speaking about the Panama Canal extension.
Before his appointment as Ambassador, Mr. Fábrega served as the Vice President for Exports for Varelas Hemanos S.A. Mr Fábrega will speak of the vital role of the Panama Canal in his nation's economy during day two of the World Canals Conference.
For ticket information and events surrounding the Conference
visit the website at www.wccscotland.co.uk.
2016 SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
Oct 20, 2016
A BIGGER SLiCE OF AMERICAN PIE
Representatives of more than a dozen Scottish tourism companies are this week joining VisitScotland for a business development mission to the country’s largest overseas market.
The national tourism organisation is leading the ten-day mission to the United States and Canada, which will see businesses from Edinburgh, Glasgow, the Highlands, the Borders and South Lanarkshire hold meetings with key tour operators in Montreal, Toronto, New York and Boston.
New figures* show that the number of visitors to Scotland from North America increased by 1.3 per cent in the first half of 2016, with spend up by nearly a quarter (24.9 per cent).
The mission will help members of the Scottish tourism industry to “internationalise” their respective products by making connections in the North American market.
The business development mission takes place as John Thurso takes part in his first overseas engagement as Chairman of VisitScotland, giving the keynote address to the Scottish North American Leadership Conference in Chicago this weekend.
Titled ‘Many Voices, One Vision’, the two-day Chicago event aims to identify ways the Scottish North American community can continue to promote awareness and understanding of Scotland and Scottish culture.
Addressing groups such as Chicago Scots, the Council of Scottish Clans and Associations (COSCA), the Saint Andrew’s Society of the City of Milwaukee and the American Scottish Foundation, Lord Thurso will highlight the vital role Scottish diaspora networks play in promoting the country around the globe.
2017 SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
PANEL DISCUSSION AT THE MUSEUM OF AMERICAN FINANCE, WITH THE UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH
2015 SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
The 12th annual Scottish North American Leadership Conference will be held at the Kilgour Scottish Centre, home of the Detroit Scots: The Kilgour Scottish Centre, 2363 Rochester Road, Troy, Michigan 48083. Tel: 248-526-1849.
The Conference theme is "Strength through Collaboration".
The Conference opens on Friday, October 30 with a banquet dinner. Key Note remarks will be delivered by former Scottish First Minister, Henry McLeish.
Saturday features panels and discussions focusing on "Collaboration or Competition"; "What Sponsors Want"; and "Communicating with our Constituencies."
On Saturday evening we will host a Halloween party at the Kilgour Centre.
The Conference ends Sunday, November 1 at Noon following a recap of the prior day's discussion designed to lead to a formulation of action points and next steps.
The purposes of the Conference are:
- to raise awareness of Scotland and Scottish culture
- to develop a better understanding of the roles, objectives and operations of the various government, academic, non-profit and private sector organizations that operate in the Scottish North American community
- to identify opportunities to enhance communication and collaboration within the community
We urge you to add your voice to the conversation.
Agenda, Registration, accommodation and transportation information can be found at www.Detroitscots.com
Please reserve directly here using this form. Space is limited.
SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE INTERNATIONAL
Join the BUILDING BRIDGES Conference in Edinburgh, March 17-18, 2015. And on the evening before, join the American-Scottish Foundation for a reception...
March 16, 2015
ASF Friends & Members Evening
Click to reserve in GBP
March 17-18, 2015
Global Scottish Leadership Initiative
For further information, contact the ASF Office : 212 605 0338
Recent event...
November 15, 2014
Scottish North American Leadership Roundtable, New York City
Discussions 9am-4.30pm. Talk & Reception 5.30-8pm in association with the University of Aberdeen. Click on the banner for details.
WATERFRONT REGENERATION ALLIANCE ROUNDTABLE
April 8, 2014
Statement of Purpose
The Waterside Regeneration Alliance Roundtable is a collaboration between the Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance and Scottish Canals which is being hosted in NYC as a part of the Scotland Week celebrations, a celebration of Scotland in New York. The Roundtable will be a forum for sharing knowledge from both Sides of the Atlantic on waterside regeneration as a vehicle for building stronger and more resilient waterfront communities.
The Roundtable will use a combination of key note speakers, using vibrant case studies to explore best practice and future innovation opportunities, which will be part of this useful knowledge exchange opportunity.
The Roundtable will seek to establish ongoing opportunities to collaborate and knowledge share on the subject of waterside and urban regeneration generally.
Agenda:
9.00 am Welcome and Introduction
9.05 am Roundtable Purpose
9.15 am Scottish Canals Overview
9.30 am Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance Overview
9.45 am New York Economic Development Corporation Overview
10.00 am Coffee
Case Studies:
10.20 am Scottish Canals - North Glasgow Integrated Water Management System
10.35 am Metropolitan Waterfront Alliance - Waterfront Edge Design Guidelines (WEDG)
10.50 am Scottish Canals -The Helix Project
11.05 am New York Economic Development Corporation Case Study
11.20 am Q and A
11.50 am Knowledge Transfer & Future Collaboration Potential
12.00 pm Lunch
2.00 pm Site Visit
Roundtable Partners:
Supported by:
UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH REFERENDUM BLOG
November 13, 2013
ASF partner
The University of Edinburgh has launched a blog on Scotland's Referendum. View latest entries at www.referendum.ed.ac.uk
SCOTTISH NORTH AMERICAN LEADERSHIP CONFERENCE
October
25. 2013
Prominent Scots from across the United States are meeting near Chicago this weekend for the Scottish North American Leadership Conference. Here, President of the American Scottish Foundation (ASF), Alan Bain, fills us in on his organization and the importance of the event.
Read more...
Scottish North American Leadership Conference 2013
North Riverside, Ilinois, October 25-27, 2013
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It is with great pleasure that we invite you to join us at the Scottish Home, headquarters of CHICAGO SCOTS, in North Riverside, Illinois for the 11th annual Scottish North American Leadership Conference. The Conference will begin on Friday, October 25, and conclude on Sunday October 27, 2013... more
The American-Scottish Foundation Energy Forum 2013
New York City, April 5, 2013
Our Energy Future: The Power of Partnerships in America & Scotland
How can energy partnerships help build bi-lateral trade to reach investment opportunities, stimulate growth, and create a vital dialogue with policy makers on the reality of what it might take to re-imagine our energy future?
Expanding upon ASF’s successful inaugural Energy Forum 2011, leading speakers in business, government, and academia coming from both Scotland and America will explore and discuss relevant and timely issues such as the pioneering role of the world's first Green Investment Bank headquartered in Edinburgh, Scotland; the future of offshore wind; creating smarter cities and educating the next generation of energy leaders.
Attendees are invited to join senior energy leaders and policymakers for a thought-provoking day of dialogue, discussion and debate.
To Register for the Forum, place Advertising in the Program or learn of Marketing Sponsorship Opportunities please complete the forms linked here.
Individual Registration is also available online through our secure Paypal connection.
Register now to secure your place.
ASF Energy Forum 2011
The Fall of 2011 saw ASF undertake the inaugural ASF Energy Forum in New York. The American-Scottish Foundation® brought together senior energy decision-makers and thought leaders at the SUNY Global Center on Monday, October 31.
The day began with remarks from David Bragdon, Director of Mayor Bloomberg's sustainability agenda for New York City, which laid the framework for an extensive day of panel discussions culminating in a Town Hall style debate with audience and
all panelists involved.
Panelists on the role of environmental advocacy included leading industrialists Lord Smith of Kelvin, Chairman, Scottish and Southern Energy and The Weir Group; Alexander 'Pete' Grannis, First Deputy Comptroller, New York State and former New York State DEC Commissioner, and Carl Arnold of the Sierra Club, New York.
Read more here...
Scottish North American Leadership Conference 2012
The 10th Annual Scottish North American Leadership Conference will take place at the Kilgour Scottish Centre in Troy, Michigan, on Friday, October 26-28th, 2012.
The conference is an opportunity for those of us in the Scottish-North American community to share views, values, experiences and best practices. The Conference aims to raise awareness of Scotland and Scottish culture; to develop a better understanding of the roles, objectives and operations of the various government, academic, non-profit and private sector organizations that operate in the Scottish-North American community and to identify opportunities to enhance communication and collaboration within the community.
The Conference is presented by founding partners, the Chicago Scots and the American-Scottish Foundation®, in association with hosting partners, the Detroit Saint Andrew’s Society and the Scottish Studies Foundation in Toronto.
This year the Conference will focus on how to engage and develop the next generation of leaders in the Scottish-North American community. The Conference will examine technology, education, heritage, sports, arts and culture. Panel discussions will be led by specialists in each area. The theme of the Conference is “Engaging the Next Generation.”
Click on the banner above for more details and to make your reservations.
The annual Tartan Week in April offers a platform for discussion and exchange of ideas on key business issues.
A recent example was the Adam Smith Forum in 2010, held in association with the Scottish Government and Financial Times. The panel considered the timely topic of "Moral Leadership and the Economic Imperative". Read more here...
In 2011, ASF partnered with the Museum of American Finance, showcasing the exhibit Alexander Hamilton: Lineage and Legacy. A lecture and reception in historic Wall Street Museum brought together the Scottish and American Hamilton family descendants for the first time in 300 years.
Alexander Hamilton is related through the second Duke of Hamilton to the Foundation's founder, Lord Malcolm Douglas-Hamilton of the Ducal House.
The exhibit celebrated Hamilton's life and accomplishment as one of the founding fathers of America, Secretary of Treasury and economist. Read more...
During Scotland-Tartan Week 2012, ASF the ASF is once again working with the the Musuem of American Finance, turning the spotlight onto the Life and Legacy of Andrew Carnegie.
