Delegates hail Scotsman Conferences

Opinion was mixed over who should have responsibility for putting forward a new vision for the city, but there was widespread approval for the event itself.

An outline conference statement is expected to be circulated within the next few weeks to delegates, with the aim of having a "state of the city" summit on an annual basis.

Former Lord Provost Lesley Hinds, who spoke on one of the panels, said huge strides had been made to transform the city over the past 30 years, but said Edinburgh could not afford to rest on its laurels.

"Edinburgh was a lot more parochial in those days and it wasn't so long ago when the tourism industry didn't really exist," she said.

"Events like this are important for having proper engagement in the city. There is a real feeling out there that we are suffering from a lack of leadership, which I think does come down to the council, and hopefully this kind of conference will help address that.

"It would be great to have it happening again, perhaps with a bit more input from the voluntary sector, and also from young people in the city."

Architect Ross McEwen said: "There is no real forum for open debate in the city, so an event like this should definitely happen again."

Susan Gallaitry, a freelance "cultural connector", said: "It was a great opportunity to hear from some of the people who are in positions of power in the city, and hear a wide range of opinions.

"Some of the speakers, like Pete Irvine and Malcolm Fraser, were very inspiring."

The Scotsman summit series

YESTERDAY'S event was the first in a series of summits organised by Scotsman Conferences, a new business created by Scotsman Publications Limited.

The initiative aims to trigger a major debate on how Edinburgh should change and adapt over the next five years, kick-start its recovery from the economic downturn, and revitalise its city centre, transport infrastructure and cutting-edge festivals.

The next conference, on 24 May, will look at whether the green economy can deliver for Scotland, with energy minister Jim Mather, above, already confirmed as a keynote speaker.

Environmental experts, business leaders, politicians, academics and economists will be put on the spot to come up with practical solutions to overcome the huge challenges facing the sector.

The event aims to move beyond the rhetoric and debate whether a greener business revolution is nothing more than wishful thinking – or the key to Scotland's economic recovery. The event will be followed by the announcement of The Green List, a roll-call of the environmental heroes who are making a genuine difference to Scotland.

&149 The third conference, on 1 June, will look at how Scotland's retail sector can prosper and what the nation can do to support its recovery from the recession.

Senior speakers from across the UK will discuss topics such as planning; climate change; logistics and supply chain; regulation; grocery retailing; developing skills; innovation and tourism.