I got this assignment via two previous contacts in the hospitality industry. Lynn Samson of MCI Glasgow (a PCO _ Profesional Conference Organiser)passed my nameto Uta Boeger-Brown, BioMedEx (Conference and exhibition management services) who was asked by Cancer Research Scotland for a ‘tog’ (industry jargon for a photographer).

Nicola Sturgeon opens SAC 2009

Nicola Sturgeon talks at SAC 2009

Nicola Sturgeon MSP, opened the conference at the Royal Concert Hall in Glasgow attended by other MSP’s, professors, medical staff, carers and other experts in this field in Scotland. It is platform for those at the front end to hear from their contemporaries, share experience and knowledge and to get messages across to the MSP’s.

Professor John Frank gives keynote speach

A delegate makes a point at the breakout session

I received a lovely letter from Jean Hotchkis following their celebrations at Edinburgh’s 5 star Caledonian Hotel for which I was delighted to be asked to take photos for the evening.

“16 March 2009. Dear Simon, My husband and I would like to thank you so much for all the effort you put into the photography for our diamond wedding celebration. The results are excellent and will contribute a great deal to our memories of a very happy event. Yours sincerely, Jean Hotchkis.”

About 50 family members of all ages and from the UK and abroad joined to celebrate. I was asked to take family group shots and cross family generation shots, as well as the whole group on the hotel’s grand staircase.

A great night which I enjoyed covering.

 Funny where life takes you. I had worked at the Caledonian Hotel many many years previously as Personnel Manager and then Conference and Banqueting Manager in the good old days of British Transport Hotels when Donald McLeod was the General Manager.