The Annual Conference of AVEA, the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions, will take place in Clayton White’s Hotel on 17th and 18th October 2022
The theme of the Conference is “Our People, Our Future,” and the focus of Day 1 will be on the talented and skilled people who work in this extraordinary sector, while Day 2 will look through the lens of the visitors, and consider their changing expectations post-pandemic.
Chairman Sean Connick said ‘I am delighted that the Conference is coming to my home county! The programme is designed to showcase the very best of Wexford through our AVEA members, with Learning Journeys built in to give our delegates the experience of being a visitor, while taking a ‘peak behind the curtain.’
En route to the Conference, delegates can stop off to enjoy a complimentary tour and coffee at either Wells House and Gardens (just off the M11) or Dunbrody Famine Ship (for those travelling via the N24/N25.) The Conference commences with a welcome lunch on Monday 17th October.
MC Olivia O’Leary will do the honours as Catherine Martin TD, Minister for Tourism, Culture, Sports, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media opens the Conference. Speakers on Monday include: Tom Enright, CEO Wexford County Council – Paul Kelly, CEO Fáilte Ireland – Niall Gibbons, CEO Tourism Ireland – John McGrillen, CEO Tourism Northern Ireland – Liam Griffin, hotelier – Lynn Scarff, Director National Museums of Ireland – Aileesh Carew, Director, EPIC Ireland’s Emigration Museum – Barry O’Connor, Director, Westport House – Dominic Dillane, TU Dublin – Tina Maree, Irish Hospitality Institute.
On Day 2, delegates will be able to choose from four Learning Journeys – to the Irish National Heritage Park, Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens, a guided Walking Tour of Wexford, or a lively discussion on the role of story-telling in an increasingly tech-led world.
Keynote Speaker Dr Paul Redmond, from the University of Liverpool, will discuss the sentiments of millennial customers, and how businesses respond to evolving visitor needs and wants.
The wrap-up session will consider global trends in tourism, ‘what’s next’ for visitor attractions, and an understanding of the post-pandemic tourist, before a farewell lunch.
Networking has always been at the heart of AVEA, along with knowledge exchange, research, advocacy and career/education interests, so this is sure to be an event with lots of engagement, and lively conversation.
Tickets for non-members (€130)* can be booked at https://ti.to/avea-annual-conference-2022/avea-annual-conference-2022/.
Event Sponsors include Wexford County Council, Tourism Ireland, Fáilte Ireland, Tourism Northern Ireland, Wexford Bus, Westport House, ATS Heritage, PhotoExperience, Teeling’s Distillery, Wells House & Gardens, Dunbrody Famine Ship, the Irish National Heritage Park, and Johnstown Castle Estate, Museum and Gardens.
To find out more, contact Catherine Flanagan at [email protected] or +353858621730
