Are you a Radiator or a Sponge?

Yesterday at Glasgow Chamber of Commerce Glasgow Talks event at SEC, Phil Batty the CEO of the Glasgow Games gave a masterclass in leadership and public speaking.

He's a radiator... the kind of energy, leadership and vision Glasgow needs on the run up to the Glasgow 2026.

When it came round to the Q&A I thought for a second whether or not to put my hand in the air. When I did, before I had a chance to say anything in the mic, Phil said 'You're going to ask me about a big pink building, aren't you?' and he was right! 

The great news is that Phil and the team at the Games are as keen as we all are to make the People Make Glasgow building look iconic again for the city. And they are keen to help make it happen too!

I've had a brilliant meeting with them today, we're  working on joining the dots, and I've also got a meeting locked in with the building owners soon too. It feels like we have real positive momentum and we're going to make this happen.

This year, the Games are encouraging businesses to get involved and have just launched their new "All in" campaign. It's designed to let you use assets and organise events alongside the Games. Which is great news for us all to collaborate and celebrate together... you can read more on it here:

https://www.glasgow2026.com/get-involved/about-all-in

Phil's was clear in his chat: That this isn't about showing up for an event. It's about the energy we all bring to the run-up for our city. It's about all our businesses and leaders who refuse to let 2026 be something that happens to Glasgow – instead, we make it something we build for Glasgow to show to the World.

What's also been brilliant is seeing the response to our videos – oh, and we now have 4,222 signatures and counting (well done us!). 

We've also had a few comments from folk who weren't quite as keen to see something positive happen. So we thought – how can we take that and do something creative with it?

I roped in my mate James Grant (@JamesGrantos on insta), drummer for Glasgow band ‘Mark Sharp and the Bicycle Thieves (they’ve just been touring with Glasgow’s own Lewis Capaldi 🙌), and he wrote a Rock Banger with some of those comments. 

Check it out: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DUGxv6wD7Z5/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=NTc4MTIwNjQ2YQ==

To help create some more positive momentum I’m donating £500 to a Glasgow charity of your choice. Just TAG your favourite in the comments of the above reel and we’ll select the most popular one across my channels.

And so, I’ll leave you with a question today.

What energy are you bringing on the run-up to the Games?

If you want to be part of this – whether that's a creative collaboration, a partnership, or just bringing your energy to what we're making – reach out. 

I'm keen for this to create as many positive stories as possible for our city, and fingers crossed we get the finale we're all hoping for. 🤞

Let’s go Glasgow!

Andrew