Host an event
This page contains information about hosting an event at the Gathering 2025.
We'll be opening applications to host an event at the Gathering in late August 2024.
Watch this space for more details on how to apply and if you haven't already, sign up for Gathering updates so you don't miss anything!
On 4th and 5th February 2025, the Gathering will attract 1,500 people each day from across the Scottish voluntary sector so it's a fantastic opportunity to deliver an event that will highlight your work, generate discussion, create networking opportunities, share good practice and support people to develop their skills and knowledge.
We'll be looking for a wide range of speakers and panel members and would particularly like to see people with lived experience of the subject you're focusing on taking part in delivering your event.
The 2025 events programme will be split into two types of events:
- practical events - helping people to develop skills and knowledge
- influencing/thinking events - focusing on hot topics and driving change
This year we're particularly keen to see collaborative event ideas, so consider if you could team up with other organisations?
Themes for the Gathering events
This year's Gathering event programme will feature 70 sessions across the two days. We are looking for a mix of topics and formats that will give people working in a wide range of different settings the chance to share, learn and reflect.
We welcome event ideas on any topic, but areas that have been popular with delegates in the past have included:
Running your organisation
Sessions that offer practical help and best practice advice on finding funding, good governance, effective storytelling, strategic planning, and supporting with compliance with key legislation.
Supporting people
Sessions covering the key policies and practices that help staff, volunteers and people using services to feel safe, valued and supported.
The sector in the wider world
Sessions that shine a light on how our essential sector is part of vital social and environmental change. We're looking for examples of positive policy and campaigning work, but also keen to take a deeper look at where we need to get our own house in order and resolve issues and challenges.
Showcasing our impact
Sessions that shine a light on the difference voluntary sector organisations are making in their community. This year we're particularly keen to see collaborative event ideas, so consider if you could team up with other organisations.
If you're hoping to be a Gathering event host in 2025, please keep both the 4th and 5th February free in your diary until we confirm the programme.
We ask you to be flexible to help us offer the best experience to our delegates. We'll plan the full Gathering programme to avoid clashes in event themes, to provide a varied and interesting programme and to support delegates to attend as many different events as possible to make the most out of their Gathering experience.
Pricing and what's included
Event hosts can choose to hire different room capacities and setups. When you're planning your event, please give consideration to how you'd like to deliver your session. Would it be best as a small, interactive session or would you like to deliver your event to a larger audience in a theatre-style room?
Event room capacities and setup options
- Theatre-style room for up to 300 delegates
- Theatre-style room for up to 600 delegates
- Roundtable-style room for up to 50 delegates
- Roundtable-style room for up to 100 delegates
Our event host packages for all room setups cost:
- £900 (£750 plus £150 VAT) for SCVO member and supporter organisations
- £1320 (£1,100 plus £220 VAT) for non-SCVO members* and commercial, non-voluntary sector organisations
*If you're not an SCVO member, check out our membership options. Organisations with an income of less than £100,000 are eligible for free membership. Other membership packages start from £279 per year.
Not sure if your organisation is an SCVO member? Check our membership directory to find out.
All event host packages include comprehensive support package from the SCVO team. Our aim is to make your Gathering host experience as simple as possible!
- We provide online registration for your event via the Gathering website
- We manage all pre and post-event communications with your event delegates
- We handle all delegate event queries
- We provide you with delegate lists in advance
- We register your delegates on the day and provide in-person delegate support at the venue
- We request, collate and share delegate feedback with you after the event
- We list your organisation in our Gathering Guide, distributed to all Gathering visitors
- We include your event in our Gathering event listings and, where appropriate, in relevant pre- and post-event marketing
- We are here to answer your questions and to provide other support that you might need by email or phone
All event host packages also include:
- Technical support from the venue's technicians
- A slide advancer, comfort monitor and lectern
- Lectern microphones, top table microphones for panel discussions, handheld microphones for Q&As
- Either a large projection screen or an 80” LED screen for presentations
- The option to have speakers join your session remotely (there's an extra fee for this)
Activities and performances
We're looking for immersive activities and performers to be part of the Gathering 2025
If your organisation can offer musical performances, or unique interactive activities, then we’d love to hear from you!
In the past we've offered opportunities to try out fit bikes, mindfulness and crafting opportunities, drumming lessons, guided walks and breaktime musical performances.
Get in touch to tell us all about what you could bring to the event!
Online sessions
We plan to record a number of sessions at the Gathering and make them available online as part of the Gathering Extra to allow even more people to enjoy and make the most of our event content and insights. As we finalise our event programme, we will be in touch with hosts running these sessions to discuss this further.
Contact us
For more information about hosting an event at the Gathering, get in touch with our team.
