2026 Hospitality Election Hustings – Glasgow
The Association of Scotland’s Self-Caterers (ASSC) and the Scottish Hospitality Group (SHG) would like to invite you to attend a joint Hospitality Political Hustings.
“Pouring Pints and Pulling Policies”
This event will bring together key voices from across Scotland’s hospitality and tourism sectors at a critical time for our industry.
Event Details:
Date: Monday 27th April
Time: 6:30pm – 8:30pm (doors open at 5:45pm)
Venue: Royal Faculty of Procurators in Glasgow, 12 Nelson Mandela Place, Glasgow, G2 1BT
The evening will begin with a fireside chat, featuring Fiona Campbell, ASSC’s CEO, Stephen Montgomery, SHG’s Director and four hospitality and self-catering business operators. This session will provide a real-time “temperature check” of the sector, highlighting the challenges, pressures, and opportunities currently facing businesses on the ground.
The fireside panel will consist of:
- Mario Gizzi: With over 40 years in the hospitality industry, Mario co-founded Di Maggio’s Restaurant Group (DRG) in 1985, growing it into one of Scotland’s largest independent restaurant groups. Today, the business employs around 1,600 people across 15 brands, operating in Aberdeen, Edinburgh, Glasgow and Newcastle.
- Paul Phillips: Paul and family have been running self-catering in Scotland for over forty years. Starting from a single purpose built unit in the Highlands his family interests have developed to cover multiple units in the Highlands, Perthshire and Edinburgh. He has experienced major changes in the way that self catering is marketed, regulated and managed over the years. He’s also passionate about the benefits that self catering brings to local economies and visitors alike. Paul is board member of the ASSC.
- Michael Bergson: Has worked in the Scottish Hospitality Industry for over 30 years. Now owns Buck’s Bar Group operating 8 venues across Scotland in Glasgow, Edinburgh and St Andrews.
- Giovanna Eusebi: A SHG board member, Giovanna is Cook & Co- Owner of Eusebi Deli & Restaurant in Glasgow’s West End. Coming from a long line of strong Italian women, she is passionate about good food, and her goal is to bring a genuine taste of Italy to Scotland.
- Susan Young: “Well kent” publisher, editor and owner of DRAM Magazine, Scotland’s leading on-trade publication and Hotel Scotland. Media World also publishes various other publications from Wee Guides to Edinburgh & Glasgow, to the Wee DRAM, Critics’ Choice, Scotland’s Top Bars, Whisky Bars of Scotland and more.
Following this, we will move into a political panel discussion, offering an opportunity for you to engage directly with industry representatives, respond to key issues, and outline your party’s position and commitments to the sector.
Candidates that have confirmed their attendance:
- Ivan McKee, SNP Candidate for Easterhouse & Springburn
- Murdo Fraser, Scottish Conservative Candidate for Perthshire North
- Daniel Johnson, Scottish Labour Candidate for Edinburgh Southern
- Jamie Greene, Scottish Liberal Democrat Candidate for Inverclyde
- Thomas Kerr, Reform UK Scotland Candidate for Baillieston and Shettleston
The Scottish Green Party declined the invitation.
This hustings aims to provide a constructive and collaborative platform for meaningful discussion, ensuring that the voice of hospitality and tourism is clearly heard ahead of the upcoming elections.
We very much hope you are able to join us for what promises to be an insightful and important evening. Please reserve your tickets below.
Additional Information:
- This event is free for everyone
- Tea, coffee and a glass of wine will be provided