Perth is set for a financial fillip worth hundreds of thousands of pounds this week.
Around 450 delegates, stall holders and visitors arrived to spend three days in the Fair City for the Scottish Trades Union Congress.
Congress will attract representatives of almost 40 trade unions and 24 trades union councils as well as a number of international guests and speakers from politics.
Among the dignitaries addressing the gathering at Perth Concert Hall are First Minister Alex Salmond and speakers from South Africa and Catalunia.
Mr Salmond was due to speak at the concert hall on Wednesday but will now appear on Tuesday because of his attendance at Baroness Thatcher’s funeral.
A spokesman for the STUC said: “Most of the delegates will come from across the country and stay in the city for the duration.
“It’s fair to say they won’t be sitting in their hotel rooms at night so the restaurants and bars and things will get the benefit. It’s fair to say there is a substantial boost to the city.”
Perthshire Chamber of Commerce chief executive Vicki Unite said: “The area is so well suited to business tourism, as well as leisure tourism, due to its accessibility, central location, venues and accommodation options.
“This event will certainly help Perthshire’s profile as events like this bring valuable economic benefit to the area and help increase spending during the week.”
The influx of visitors is even more welcome after it was revealed the annual Jehovah’s Witnesses conference will not return to Perth this year.
Among the many topics to be debated at the congress will be trade union rights, Scottish independence, taxation issues including the “bedroom tax” and non-payment of taxes by major companies.