Celtic Connections and is an integral and vibrant part of cultural life in Glasgow, with the economic impact on the city reaching £5.8 million in 2007. The festival actively promotes artistic links and cultural exchange across countries, reinforced by Showcase Scotland which brought 200 music industry delegates from 35 different countries to Scotland looking to book Scottish bands for festivals abroad in 2008. The 2008 festival opened with the Common Ground concert where many of the artists taking part in the event performed together. Donald Shaw, artistic director of the festival, spoke about the future of Celtic Connections as well as the
Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival society also hosts a Celtic College, with various lectures and classes during the event. Niagara Celtic was conceived in late 2000 in Olcott by Phil and Beth Banks, who had attended a Celtic celebration in Kincardine, Ontario, and Paul Krest, a participant in the local Highland games. In the spring of 2001 they launched their first season of Highland Games, which concluded in September with a small grand finale festival, the first Niagara Celtic Heritage Festival & Highland Games. The Banks family continues managing and growing the festival, while Paul Krest runs the nearly year-round Highland Games through the Niagara