AVEA, Ireland’s association for visitor experiences and attractions, has released details of its annual conference. The event is taking place on Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 October at the Ennistymon and the Burren UNESCO Geopark in County Clare, and will welcome over 200 delegates.
The Conference’s theme, World Class Experiences – Local Authenticity, focuses on how tourism businesses can offer outstanding and unforgettable experiences to guests while upholding the tradition of Irish hospitality.
Insightful talks programme
Key figures from the tourism sector will be presenting to delegates, and include Jenny de Saulles, director of sector development, Fáilte Ireland, Alice Mansergh, CEO of Tourism Ireland, John McGrillen, CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland, and Eoghan O’Mara Walsh, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation.
Barry Hannon, CEO of Limerick’s brand-new International Rugby Experience, Rachel Mackay, head of Hampton Court Palace, and Rich Neville, who has headed the operations teams for both ABBA Voyage and the BBC Earth Experience in London, are among the speakers.
Kelly Molson, MD of Rubber Cheese, will share their findings on evolving trends for digital experience booking, and John Harte will present findings from an ATS/AVEA report on how visitor attractions meet the needs of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
Showcasing County Clare
Geraldine Enright, director of the Cliffs of Moher Experience and chairman of AVEA commented: “I am delighted that the Conference is coming to my home county, and our chosen venue, The Falls Hotel, is a carbon-neutral venue.
“The programme is designed to showcase the very best of Clare through our AVEA members, with Learning Journeys through The Burren UNESCO Geopark built in to give our delegates the experience of being a visitor, while taking a ‘peek behind the curtain.’”
Catherine Flanagan, CEO of AVEA, adds “Clare is a stronghold of Irish tourism, and features on itineraries for thousands of visitors every year. The county should be very proud of what has been achieved, with a strong and united tourism business community that is highly professional, but which has never lost that authentic ‘sense of place’ that is so highly prized by our international guests.”
Ivan Tuohy, a local businessman, Liam O’Brien, the owner of Doolin Ferry, Nuala Mulqueeney, the MC of Aillwee Burren Experience, and Stephen Hanley, a former hotelier who was recently appointed to manage Bunratty Castle and Folk Park, will take part in a panel discussing collaboration and cooperation among Clare tourism businesses.
“Networking has always been at the heart of AVEA, along with knowledge exchange, research, advocacy and problem-solving,” concludes Enright, “so this is sure to be an event with lots of engagement, and lively conversation, while shining a spotlight on the very best visitor experiences that Clare has to offer.”
The conference will take place at The Falls Hotel, which is located on the Wild Atlantic Way. Tickets for the two-day event are available to book at www.avea.ie.
