Inspiring innovation: Tourism industry leaders gather in Kilkenny
More than 200 of Ireland’s top visitor attractions and visitor experience operators will gather in Kilkenny this weekend.
The operators are in town for the seventh annual AVEA (Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions) conference, under the heading ‘Innovation – Agility – Inclusion’.
Global experts in the areas of innovation, agile business operations and inclusion will share their expertise and knowledge with the conference delegates at the event.
The conference’s leadership panel will include Tourism Ireland CEO Alice Mansergh, Failte Ireland’s Jenny De Saulle, Chief Executive at Irish Tourism Industry Confederation Eoghan O’ Mara Walsh, and the CEO of Tourism Northern Ireland John McGrillen.
In addition to the leadership panel, the international speakers include Ciaran Connolly founder of ProfileTree, who is an expert on AI tools for content marketing; Laura Magee, CEO, of Thoroughbred Country which is a destination collaboration between Kildare and Tipperary that celebrates equine tourism; and Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing at the Tank Museum, Dorset, who will speak on the worldwide audiences generated through their highly engaging online channels.
Other industry leader attending the event include Alison Bowyer, Executive Director, Kids in Museums; Eleanore Hutch and Kat Riddell, Diageo Brand Homes, on their work to make the Guinness Storehouse autism-friendly; Sally Booth and Olivia Hewley from VocalEyes to talk about making experiences accessible to visitors who have visual impairments; Michael Faley from Google who will discuss latest trends on searching and booking holidays online, Gary Farrington from Expedia Group, and Anne O’Donoghue, CEO, Irish Heritage Trust.
Delegates will also explore Kilkenny and enjoy some learning journeys while visiting some of the medieval City’s tourism hotspots including the Butler Gallery, St Canice’s Cathedral, and Kilkenny Castle (pictured) while networking and exchanging insights and knowledge with industry peers.
Speaking about the event, AVEA CEO Catherine Flanagan said: “We look forward to welcoming delegates to what is one of the highlights in the tourism calendar – the gathering of AVEA members, supporters and stakeholders of Ireland’s visitor experiences and attractions sector. Under the conference theme, we will look at how we can learn to future-proof our experiences and attractions for success. The occasion will offer lively and engaging discussions, to stimulate conversation, generate ideas, and create inspiring ‘to do’ lists for 2025 onwards.”
A highlight of the conference will be a gala dinner at St Canice’s Cathedral, which will host more than 150 of Ireland’s tourism leaders. St Canice’s will also be showcasing the illuminated Book of Ossory, which is on display in its new home for the first time in its 700-year history.
