More than 400 delegates and over 70 exhibitors came together at The Drumossie Hotel on Tuesday 22 September for Highland Spotlight 2026, creating a vibrant day of conversations and opportunities as part of Highland Business Week.
From the moment the doors opened, the exhibition floor was busy, with businesses from across the region showcasing their work, meeting new people and reconnecting with customers, partners and colleagues.
With more than 70 exhibitors taking part, a new area was created this year to accommodate additional businesses – reflecting the continued demand to be part of one of the Highlands’ biggest business gatherings.
For first-time exhibitor Stuart Fiddes of Fiddes Plant and Crane Training, the experience exceeded expectations.
“I was absolutely blown away by the business done in a few hours. What a great event, new connections made, old connections strengthened and a massive step in the right direction for our business.”
For many businesses, that combination of visibility and connection was at the heart of the day. Alastair Miller, Head of Marketing & Ecommerce at MacGregor Industrial Supplies, described Spotlight as “always a highlight of the local business calendar”, adding that the team had enjoyed “lots of great conversations throughout the day with both long-standing partners, old friends and new connections.”
That sentiment was echoed by Andy O’Connor, Managing Director at Equally Placed, who described the event as “a fantastic showcase of business and entrepreneurship across the North of Scotland”, providing an opportunity to catch up with friends, make new connections and meet inspiring people.
For organisations such as Centred (Scotland), the day also highlighted the role events like Spotlight can play in raising awareness of the work being done across the Highlands. The team said it was “incredible to meet so many Highland businesses and learn about all the amazing projects going on”, while highlighting the opportunity to build relationships and reach more people who could benefit from its services.
Exploring what’s next for business
Alongside the exhibition, the Spotlight Seminar delivered by Chris Hawkes and Ed Lopez from Strut, and Paul Blair and Rachel Wallace from BC Technologies, who originally met at this year’s Highland Business Dinner, brought delegates together to explore the rapidly developing world of artificial intelligence and what it means for businesses.
The session looked beyond the excitement around new AI tools to consider how businesses can use them responsibly and effectively, including the importance of good governance alongside practical adoption.
A key message was that AI should support – rather than replace – the expertise and judgement of people. Used well, the technology can help businesses improve efficiency and take care of more routine tasks, freeing people up to focus on the strategic thinking, creativity and decision-making that add real value.
That balance between technology and people is increasingly important as businesses consider how AI can become part of everyday operations.
Colin Marr, CEO of Inverness Chamber of Commerce, said, “Highland Spotlight continues to show what can happen when Highland businesses come together. Once again, we welcomed more than 400 delegates and over 70 exhibitors – including many new exhibitors alongside organisations that have attended Spotlight over the years.
“The conversations happening around the room were a great reflection of the strength of our business community. Whether businesses were looking to raise their profile, find new opportunities or simply connect with the people behind other organisations, there was a real sense of openness and collaboration. But above all that there was a large amount of business being done on the day. Items were being sold or hired, and contractors and supply chain partners were finding each other and embarking on new business relationships.
“The Spotlight Seminar also gave us an opportunity to look ahead. AI is moving quickly, and businesses need to understand not only how these tools can improve efficiency, but how they need to be used with the right governance and human expertise. The opportunity is to use technology to give people more space for the strategic parts of their roles – not to lose the human expertise that makes businesses successful.
“That is what Highland Spotlight is all about: creating the space for businesses to connect, share ideas and move forward together.”
A day of connections
For Bracewell, the opportunity to meet the people behind Highland businesses was a particular highlight, with Partner Lisa Middleton describing the event as a chance to “showcase our work, connect with new people and strengthen relationships with fellow Highland businesses.”
Meanwhile, Hayley Paterson of The Payroll Guide summed up the day simply: after taking part in the focus group and walking the exhibition floor, she had made “loads of great contacts and good catch ups with my connections.”
That sense of energy was also captured by Darren Ross of STV Commercial, who reflected on the atmosphere after the event, “What a fantastic event. From experience, I know the pressure and challenges faced with any event – the Chamber team well and truly pulled it off! Erin & I met so many fabulous, friendly business owners and decision makers today and we very much look forward to the follow-up chats with them all.”
For Darren, the optimism he encountered across the exhibition floor was particularly striking, describing how “the sheer optimism, that may lack in other regions, was well and truly on show today for the Highlands & Islands.”
These comments capture something that was evident throughout the day – from packed stands and conversations continuing across the exhibition floor to businesses finding out more about what is happening across the region.
Highland Spotlight 2026 was delivered by Inverness Chamber of Commerce as part of Highland Business Week, bringing the Highland business community together at the heart of a week focused on connection and opportunity.
Thank you to every exhibitor, delegate, and partner who played a part in making this year’s Spotlight such a success.
Scroll through our picture gallery, thanks to our media sponsor, Highland News & Media to relive the buzz, the conversations, and the standout moments from Highland Spotlight 2026…
Picture: Daniel Forsyth.
