Date: Wednesday 9 and Thursday 10 November 2022 Location: EICC, Edinburgh
Price: £200 (exclusive of VAT) for full 1.5 day conference applies to STA members, HIT colleagues, THTDP 2022 scholars, or £50 (exclusive of VAT ) for online ticket. £300 (exclusive of VAT ) for all others.
Scotland’s Tourism Industry Conference is back for 2022. With a packed programme, the event is designed to celebrate, empower and further propel our industry into the future in line with the national ambition to be leaders in 21st century tourism.
The landscape our industry operates in has changed significantly over recent years, prompting huge change, unprecedented challenges but also new opportunities.
A collaboration between the Scottish Tourism Alliance (STA), the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA) and HIT Scotland (Hospitality Industry Trust), the Industry Conference will run across two days. It will bring together an exciting range of speakers to deliver important insights, advice and inspiration to navigate and flourish in this new world and to embrace the new opportunities and responsibilities it presents. This year’s event will also feature an exhibitor hall as well as a complimentary evening reception offering the ideal chance to catch up, connect and have fun.
The biggest conference of its kind in Scotland, the much-awaited event of the year is the perfect opportunity for the community to re-connect with industry peers, make new connections, gain invaluable and actionable learnings from expert speakers, share knowledge and be inspired.
This is an unmissable event for anyone at any level who works, supports or is interested in the tourism industry.
DAY 1
8:00am – 9:15am: Registration, morning coffee and exhibition
9:15am – 11:00am: Session 1 – New World: Future Outlook
Welcome: Jennifer Reoch, Conference Host
The Economic Outlook: Philip Bartlett, NatWest Group
Travel Insights – Scotland is Calling / what’s making the headlines and driving engagement: Gordon Clark, Forward Keys & Vicki Miller, VisitScotland
‘Brilliant staff, missing recycling bins and other learnings from BVA BDRC Mystery Visits’: Jon Young, BVA, BDRC
‘What are they saying about Scotland on TripAdvisor?’: Justin Reid, TripAdvisor
11:00am – 11:30am: Morning break and refreshments
11:30am – 1:15pm: Session 2 – New World: Scotland Outlook 2030 and Global Trends
Scotland Outlook 2030 – Next Steps: Marc Crothall, STA and new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group
‘What’s trending globally?’: Daniel Levine, Avant-Guide Institute
Q&A panel discussion: Daniel Levine, Vicki Miller & Justin Reid
1:15pm – 2:30pm: Lunch and exhibition
2:30pm – 3:45pm: Session 3 – New Opportunity: Being Entrepreneurial and Technology Solutions in Hospitality and Tourism
The Metaverse – Technology to Stimulate Innovation in Tourism Engagement: Graeme Stevens, New Frontier
‘Monetising Online Audiences’: Nik Wyness, Tank Museum
‘Bringing a brand to life: measuring and optimising the impact of ‘Real Life’ experiences and events: Greg Klingaman, VP, EMEA at AnyRoad/ex-Diageo Global Retail Director
3:45pm – 4:15pm: Afternoon break and refreshments
4:15pm – 6:15pm: Session 4 – New Opportunity: Food and Drink Experiences and Local Community Partnerships
Innovations & Trends in the World of Food, Drink & Hospitality: Dr Jane Milton (Food Expert), Toby Wand (ScotHot), Iain Stirling (Arbikie Highland Estate) & Daniel Levine
‘Neighbours not up in arms’: Jonny Kinross (Grassmarket Community Project), Scott McArdle (Virgin Hotels) & Kat Brogan (Mercat Tours)
‘A community delivering for Scotland’: Emma Guy, SCOTO & Mountain Bike World Championships 2023
‘Reaching for the Sky – a whole new perspective on tourism at New York’s most transformational experience’: Fabio Monterio, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt in New York
6:15pm – 8:30pm: Ministerial address and evening reception with HIT Scholars presentation
Ministerial address: Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
Welcome to HIT Scholars & overview of The Tourism and Hospitality Talent Development Programme: David Cochrane, HIT Scotland
Networking with colleagues and MSPs
8:30pm – late: Late-night social in Eve (Virgin Hotels Edinburgh)
DAY 2
8:00am – 8:55am: Power up business breakfast
Wake up to tourism: breakfast interview with John Swinney, Deputy First Minister of Scotland
9:00am – 11:00am: Session 1 – New Responsibility: Protecting our Planet
Welcome: Gordon Morrison, ASVA
Scotland Outlook 2030, Destination Net Zero: Janie Neumann, VisitScotland
Developing a Sustainable Destination: Michael Golding, Visit Inverness Loch Ness
The Evolution of Climate Action: Shannon Guihan, The Travel Corporation
‘Taking an 800-strong hotel business to a Net Zero future’: Alex Flach, Whitbread
Q&A panel discussion: Above speakers & moderated by Caroline Warburton, VisitScotland
11:00am – 11:30am: Morning break, refreshments and networking
11:30am – 1:15pm: Session 2 – New Responsibility: Our People
How to Accelerate your Impact on the World: Mehalah Beckett, Executive Leadership & Team Coach
‘Power to the People – Harnessing potential and creating a great working environment at the Scottish Crannog Centre’: Mike Benson, the Scottish Crannog Centre
How to Stay Mentally Tough: Penny Mallory, Motivational Speaker, Mental Toughness Expert & Former Rally Champion
1:10pm-1:15pm: Conference closes
***PLEASE NOTE THAT ALL TIMES AND SPEAKERS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE***
Confirmed speakers:
Jennifer Reoch – TV and Radio Presenter
Philip Bartlett – Senior Economist, NatWest Group
Gordon Clark – Vice President Business Development, Forward Keys
Vicki Miller – Director of Marketing and Digital, VisitScotland
Jon Young – Travel and Culture Director, BV, BDRC
Justin Reid – Director of Media, Destinations, Hotels and Growth, TripAdvisor
Marc Crothall – The Scottish Tourism Alliance and Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group
Daniel Levine – Trends Analyst and Director, Avant-Guide Institute
Graeme Stevens – Co-Founder and Director, New Frontier
Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing and Engagement, The Tank Museum
Greg Klingaman – VP EMEA, AnyRoad
Dr Jane Milton – Food Industry Expert and Founder, Jane Milton Ltd.
Toby Wand – MD, 365 Events (ScotHot)
Iain Stirling – Co-owner, Arbikie Highland Estate
Jonny Kinross – Chief Executive, Grassmarket Community Project
Scott McArdle – General Manager, Virgin Hotels
Kat Brogan – Managing Director, Mercat Tours
Emma Guy – SCOTO
Fabio Monteiro – Groups and Special Experiences Manager, SUMMIT One Vanderbilt
Gordon Morrison – Chief Executive Officer, Association of Visitor Attractions (ASVA)
Janie Neumann – Sustainable Tourism Manager, VisitScotland
Michael Golding – CEO, Visit Inverness Loch Ness
Shannon Guihan – Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of TreadRight, The Travel Corporation
Alex Flach – UK & Ireland Development Director, Whitbread
Caroline Warburton, Regional Leadership Director for the East of Scotland, VisitScotland
Mehalah Beckett – Executive Leadership & Business Coach, Lead Powerful Impact and Co-Chair, Scotland B Local
Mike Benson – Director, Scottish Crannog Centre
Penny Mallory – Motivational speaker, Mental Toughness Expert and Former Rally Champion
Tickets can be purchased via the Scottish Tourism Alliance website