MARKETING chiefs are working round the clock to preserve Glasgow's new-found status as the UK's conference capital.

They have secured deals to bring another 15 top international events to the city which will trigger a £12.5million spending spree among delegates.

Today's boost follows the revelation that Glasgow attracted more foreign delegates to conferences than any other British city last year, including London.

More than 20,000 visitors attended international association events and injected £131m into Glasgow's economy.

Conferences are big business. Globally, around 15,000 are held every year and together they generate a spend of more than £7billion. Glasgow may be tops in the UK but it is 33rd on the world stage - Berlin, Barcelona and Paris are by far the biggest draws.

But Glasgow is set to host a mixed bag of conferences, from next year's European Forum of Sign Language Interpreters to the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry to be staged in 2015. The 15 conferences alone are expected to generate £12.5m for the city's retail, hospitality and leisure sectors.

Glasgow City Marketing Bureau head Molly Doheny said: "Glasgow has had an extremely successful summer of new international conference wins.

"The market is hugely competitive but these wins demonstrate conference organisers are giving a big vote of confidence to Glasgow's offering of good transport links, first class and varied meetings facilities and wide range of hotels."

The SECC is favoured by many conference organisers. Its sales director, Ben Goedegebuure, said: "Instead of our city venues and partners competing against each other to win business, we all recognise and understand the merits of working together to create a united front."

Glasgow Chamber of Commerce chief executive Stuart Patrick said: "This is something Glasgow does really well, and yet another success for the City Marketing Bureau.

"These 15 new conferences will further boost our reputation as Europe's conventions capital.

"Conferences such as these have huge benefits for businesses throughout the supply chain, including food suppliers, the hospitality trade, distribution companies and transport providers."