Culture-Heritage-Tourism: Developing the Product |
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The Historic Towns Forum, supported by VisitEngland, is delighted to announce the date of their National Tourism Conference, to be held at Blenheim Palace on 16 March 2012. This conference is the first of a programme of events to celebrate the 25th year of the Historic Towns Forum, and comes on the last day of the first English Tourism Week promoted by VisitEngland. This practical event will demonstrate the links between Tourism, Heritage and Culture, and will offer strong models to develop resilient and innovative tourism in our historic towns and cities in spite of the economic climate. Keynote speakers include Lady Cobham, Chair of VisitEngland, high profile politicians and leading figures within the industry. Subjects covered will be as wide-ranging as robust business modelling, addressing the skills' gap, how to link existing culture and heritage into a saleable product. Speakers will also give advice on how to deliver information to visitors, how to manage tourism locally, and how to maximise the offer leading up to a year which includes the Queen's Diamond Jubilee and the 2012 Games. SPACES ARE LIMITED AND IN HIGH DEMAND FOR THIS EXCLUSIVE EVENT | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Who should attendLocal Authority elected members and officers from all disciplines; Community, Parish and Town Councils; community leaders and representatives of community groups; civic and amenity societies; professionals concerned with all aspects of planning, conservation, tourism, heritage, culture, traffic management, urban design and economic development; all tourism professionals and anyone working in the tourism, heritage and cultural sectors. | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Conference Venue:Blenheim Palace, Woodstock, Oxfordshire OX20 1PP | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Programme | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Friday 16 March |
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| 09.00 | Registration/tea/coffee | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09.25 | Welcome and Introduction | Debbie Dance, Chair, Historic Towns Forum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09.30 | Message to the delegates | His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 09.40 | Keynote Speech | Penelope, Viscountess Cobham – Chairman, VisitEngland | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.00 | The Battle for Blenheim – developing a successful business model | John Hoy, Chief Executive, Blenheim Palace | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 10.30 | Training, customer service, visitor experience | Gerry Brown, Head of Strategic Training & Operations, People1st | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.00 | Q&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.20 | Tea/Coffee/Networking/Exhibitions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 11.50 | Yorkshire Passions - bespoke training play | John Godber, Playwright with Janet Reuben and assorted actors | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 12.35 | Q&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 13.00 | Lunch | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 14.00 | Panel: Local tourism - information as a product - how to develop and deliver |
Michele Grant, Director, Blue Sail Sally Broom, Co-founder and CEO, TripBod Susi Golding, Director, Visit Oxfordshire | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15.00 | Q&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15.20 | Tea/Coffee/Networking/Exhibitions | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 15.50 | Panel: Where culture, heritage and tourism connect - 3 case studies |
Paul Brookes, Cultural Olympiad London 2012, East Midlands Jane Finnis, CEO, Culture24 John Fleming, Director, Ludlow Marches Food and Drink Festival | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 16.50 | Q&A | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17.00 | Plenary | Debbie Dance, Chair, Historic Towns Forum | |||||||||||||||||||||||||
| 17.05 | Champagne tour of Blenheim Palace | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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