Dunbartonshire Chamber recently welcomed the Scottish Chambers of Commerce Chief Executives Forum.

Our guests were treated to a tour of the state-of-the-art Golden Jubilee facilities and enjoyed a presentation from Jill Young, chief executive, and her wonderful team.

The eyes of the world were on Dunbartonshire last week during the European Championships.

With a potential global audience of one billion, the iconic Loch Lomond was showcased by the open water swim events whilst the cycling time trials followed a route through East Dunbartonshire.

Media coverage of sporting events has major economic impact with the events coverage reaching a global audience whilst the influx of competitors and spectators will also have raised the profile of Dunbartonshire, generating millions of pounds of spend for businesses across the region.

I know it seems early to mention Christmas but we have just announced our ever-popular Christmas lunch that will this year take place in the stylish surroundings of Boclair House in Bearsden on Thursday, December 13.

We are delighted that Tim Allan, president of the Scottish Chambers of Commerce, will speak at the event.

Tim is one of Scotland’s leading businessmen, an outspoken champion for business and is always an entertaining and inspirational speaker.

The Christmas lunch is ideal for rewarding your team and/or your clients or if you are a smaller company being part of a Christmas celebration with other members of the business community.

Also on the events front we are co-hosting our latest Brewing Up Business event entitled First Aid in the Workplace/Saving Lives on Wednesday, September 5 in partnership with member company, St Andrew’s First Aid.

First aid is highly relevant both within the workplace and outside of work. From a professional perspective it will help individuals care for themselves and those they work with to ensure you meet basic requirements.

From a personal level it is an excellent life skill to have and the reality is that an understanding of basic first aid might just help you save a life.