The Talk of the Town

The 2000s began with an event that would change the business. Mearns & Gill had been supporting Total's year-end dinner dance with design work. In early December, around 680 guests sat down to roast goose at the Conference Centre. The French leadership was appalled; the meat was so poor it could "bounce if dropped." They refused to return.

The next year's event still had to happen, but no existing venue could take 680 people. The only option was a marquee. Alan consulted Aberdeen City Council, who offered space at Duthie Park. Despite never having run an event this scale, and despite competitors warning it would be "the end" of the business, Alan and the team went ahead.

The event was a phenomenal success. It became the talk of the town.

From that moment, the events business grew rapidly through word of mouth. Chevron joined Total in a shared marquee model. Shell commissioned standalone events. Talisman came on board. Taqa used large-scale events at venues like Glamis Castle to integrate workforces and build culture.

By mid-2007, Alan knew he needed help. He brought in Suz from the Chamber of Commerce, and she's led the team ever since, shifting focus over time from social galas to conferences and content-driven events.