Day 1
8:15AM – 9:15AM
REGISTRATION, MORNING COFFEE & EXHIBITION (CROMDALE SUITE)- 9:15AM – 11AM
SESSION 1 – NEW WORLD: FUTURE OUTLOOK (PENTLAND SUITE)- Welcome: David Cochrane, Chief Executive of the Hospitality Industry Trust Scotland (HIT Scotland) and Jennifer Reoch, TV & Radio Presenter
- The Economic Outlook: Philip Bartlett, Senior Economist at NatWest Group
- Travel Insights – Scotland is Calling / what’s making the headlines and driving engagement: Gordon Clark, Vice President Business Development at Forward Keys & Vicki Miller, Director of Marketing and Digital at VisitScotland. Vicki will also be joined by guest speakers: Katy James, Global Brand Marketing Manager at VisitScotland and Amanda Thomas, Global Influencer Marketing Manager at VisitScotland.
- Brilliant staff, missing recycling bins and other learnings from BVA BDRC Mystery Visits: Jon Young, Travel and Culture Director at BVA BDRC
- ‘What are they saying about Scotland on TripAdvisor?’: Justin Reid, Director of Media, Destinations, Hotels and Growth at TripAdvisor
11:00AM – 11:30AM
MORNING BREAK, REFRESHMENTS & EXHIBITION (CROMDALE SUITE)11:30AM – 1PM
SESSION 2 – NEW WORLD: SCOTLAND OUTLOOK 2030 & GLOBAL TRENDS (PENTLAND SUITE)- Scotland Outlook 2030 – Next Steps: Marc Crothall, Chief Executive of the Scottish Tourism Alliance and Co-Chair of the new Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group
- What’s Trending Globally?: Daniel Levine, Trends Analyst and Director at the Avant-Guide Institute
- Q&A Panel Discussion: Daniel Levine, Vicki Miller & Justin Reid
1PM – 2:20PM
LUNCH & EXHIBITION (CROMDALE SUITE)2:20PM – 3:50PM
SESSION 3 – NEW OPPORTUNITY: BEING ENTREPRENEURIAL & TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS IN HOSPITALITY & TOURISM (PENTLAND SUITE)- The Metaverse – Technology to Stimulate Innovation in Tourism Engagement: Graeme Stevens, Co-Founder and Director of New Frontier
- Monetising Online Audiences: Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing and Engagement, The 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
3:50PM – 4:15PM
AFTERNOON BREAK, REFRESHMENTS & EXHIBITION (CROMDALE SUITE)- 4:15PM – 6:15PM
SESSION 4 – NEW OPPORTUNITY: FOOD & DRINK EXPERIENCES & LOCAL COMMUNITY PARTNERSHIPS (PENTLAND SUITE)
- Q&A Panel Discussion – Innovations & Trends in the World of Food, Drink & Hospitality: Dr Jane Milton (Food Industry Expert and Founder of Jane Milton Ltd.), Toby Wand (MD of 365 Events/ScotHot), Iain Stirling (Co-Owner of Arbikie Highland Estate) & Daniel Levine
- A community delivering for Scotland: Emma Guy, SCOTO & Project Manager for the Mountain Bike 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships
- Q&A Panel Discussion – Neighbours not up in arms: Jonny Kinross (Chief Executive of the Grassmarket Community Project), Scott McArdle (General Manager of Virgin Hotels) & Kat Brogan (Managing Director of Mercat Tours)
- Reaching for the Sky – a whole new perspective on tourism at New York’s most transformational experience: Fabio Monterio, Groups and Special Experiences Manager at SUMMIT One Vanderbilt New York
6:15PM – 8:30PM
EVENING RECEPTION (CROMDALE SUITE)
- Welcome by Conference Host: Jennifer Reoch, TV and Radio Presenter
- Ministerial address: Ivan McKee, Minister for Business, Trade, Tourism and Enterprise
- Welcome to HIT Scholars & an overview of The Tourism and Hospitality Talent Development Programme: Paul Wilson, Trustee at HIT Scotland
- Concluding speech: Stephen Leckie, Chair of the Scottish Tourism Alliance
- Networking with colleagues and MSPs
8:30PM – LATE
LATE-NIGHT SOCIAL IN EVE (VIRGIN HOTELS EDINBURGH)
Day 2
8AM – 8:50AM
POWER UP BUSINESS BREAKFAST (CROMDALE SUITE)- Wake up to tourism: As delegates enjoy a healthy sit-down breakfast in the Cromdale suite, to help recharge from the night before, and to fuel their brains for day two of the conference, the well- known former BBC Scotland Political Editor, columnist and respected commentator, Brian Taylor will take to the stage to interview Scotland’s Deputy First Minister, John Swinney about supporting the future growth of Scotland’s tourism sector and accelerating the nation’s economic recovery.
- 9AM – 11AM
SESSION 1 – NEW RESPONSIBILITY: PROTECTING OUR PLANET (PENTLAND SUITE)- Welcome: Gordon Morrison, CEO at the Association of Scottish Visitor Attractions (ASVA)
- Scotland Outlook 2030, Destination Net Zero: Janie Neumann, Sustainable Tourism Manager at VisitScotland
- Developing a Sustainable Destination: Michael Golding, CEO at Visit Inverness Loch Ness
- The Evolution of Climate Action: Shannon Guihan, Chief Sustainability Officer & Head of TreadRight at The Travel Corporation
- Taking an 800-strong hotel business to a Net Zero future: Alex Flach, UK & Ireland Development Director at Whitbread
- Q&A Panel Discussion: All the above speakers. Moderated by Caroline Warburton, Regional Leadership Director for the East of Scotland at VisitScotland
11:00AM – 11:25AM
MORNING BREAK, REFRESHMENTS & NETWORKING (STRATHBLANE HALL)11:25AM – 1:15PM
SESSION 2 – NEW RESPONSIBILITY: LEADING & LOOKING AFTER OUR PEOPLE (PENTLAND SUITE)- How to Accelerate your Impact on the World: Mehalah Beckett, Executive Leadership & Business Coach at Lead Powerful Impact and Co-Chair at Scotland B Local
- Power to the People – Harnessing potential and creating a great working environment at the Scottish Crannog Centre: Mike Benson, Director of the Scottish Crannog Centre. Mike will also be joined by guest speakers from the Scottish Crannog Centre: Daisy Charles (Apprentice), Jenny Robertson (Iron-Age Interpreter and SVQ Assessor)
- How to Stay Mentally Tough: Penny Mallory, Motivational Speaker, Mental Toughness Expert & Former Rally Champion
1:15PM-1:25PM
CONFERENCE CLOSES & DELEGATES DEPART