The organisation was established in 1986 as the Glasgow office of the Association for British Sponsorship of the Arts (ABSA), with a goal to bridge the arts and business. It later became an independent organisation in Scotland in 2011, continuing to the present day.
On the day of the event, greetings were given starting with David Nelson, Executive Director of the organisation, followed by Màiri McAllan MSP, newly appointed Cabinet Secretary for Education, Culture and Gaelic in the Scottish Government, Jane Morrison-Ross, Chair of the Board, and Sam Heughan, Scottish actor, entrepreneur, philanthropist, author and distillery owner. There was also a performance by the National Youth Orchestra of Scotland at the venue, with many stakeholders in attendance.