Autumn Conference to focus on Public Transport and Attractions

26 Sep 2023

Autumn Conference to focus on Public Transport and Attractions

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Visit Somerset is to hold a major conference in Taunton raising important topics around how the Visitor Economy can help incentivise public transport usage, to discussions held as to what attraction success stories there have been in 2023, teasing out takeaways that marketing teams can use in 2024, as we move through the cost of living crisis.

The last year has proven to be another very difficult year, with winners and those feeling it could have been better.

Join us at the Castle Hotel Taunton on Monday 30th October at 12pm for a light lunch, networking, and presentations to discuss, how to beat 'the Cost of living Crisis' and how to create value for customers, already including a presentation from Larry Bush Managing Director of the multi-award-winning Noahs Ark Zoo Farm and Paranormal Expert Karin Beasant. More will follow

Together with meeting the senior managers from GWR Trains and First Bus/ Buses of Somerset, we look to create a county-wide incentive scheme to help move more people traveling on public transport against the climate crisis and the need to reduce travel by car.

Full Agenda:

Full Agenda:

12:00 CEO John Turner gives update on where Visit Somerset is and what its priorities are as it moves to LVEP (Local Visitor Economy Partnership status application with Visit England. 
12:15 Mike Rigby Cllr Mike Rigby, Lead Member, Transport & Digital Somerset Council 
12:25 First Bus Executives talk around 
Somerset wide public transport incentive scheme.
12:45 GWR Executives talk around GWR Railway’s plans and incentive opportunities. 
13:00 Larry Bush Managing Director at Noah’s Ark Zoo farm talking   – Social Inclusivity and its positive impact on the attraction.  
13:15 
Alexia James Head of Marketing at Wells Cathedral – Marketing and innovating your business to a demanding customer. 
13:30 Lunch 
14:00 Karin Beasant and the Paranormal market
14:10 Zantore Buoy from the Somerset Toiletry Company on working towards sustainability in product design.
14:30 BREAK OUT Session - helping us shape forward strategy, to then be shaped and developed/ concluded at the AGM Yeo Valley in January 2024 - BREAKOUT session supported by Lucy Soloman from Develerate.
15:00 Robin Tjolle from Visit England giving update on state of English Tourism 
Presentations now confirmed now from.

AGENDA 
Senior Executives from GWR/First Bus/Buses of Somerset  talking train/bus travel and incentivastion potential.
As we aspire to collectively come together to launch a Somerset wide public transport incentive scheme.  

Luke Farley Transport Integration Manager Great Western Railway  - Confirmed  
Jo Hake Marketing Manager | Great Western Railway - Confirmed 
James Eustace, Commercial Director. First Bus - Confirmed 
First Team - Also in attendance 
Claire Wood – Senior Marketing Manager
Ellie Irwin – PR Manager
James Eustace – Commercial Director
Rebecca Mantyk – Operations Director
Carol Sim – Head of Operations
Peter McNaughton – Operations Manager
Richard Moon – Business Contract Manager 
 

Talking social mobility, disability and sustainable marketing strategies, and how to attract new markets, we have six incredible guest speakers, helping to inspire Somerset moving forward.      

  1. Larry Bush Managing Director at Noah’s Ark Zoo farm talking   – Social Inclusivity and its positive impact on the attraction.
  2. Alexia James Head of Marketing at Wells Cathedral – Marketing and innovating your business to a demanding customer. 
  3. Kerry Noble /Sam White General Manager and Head of Marketing West Somerset Railway – Recovering a major attraction from a time of disruption.
BREAK OUT Session - helping us shape forward strategy, to then be shaped and developed/ concluded at the AGM Yeo Valley in January 2024 -  BREAKOUT session supported by Lucy Soloman from Develerate.

13:30 until 14:30 Lunch.
  1. Karin Beasant and the Paranormal market, examples that Visit Somerset have already had success with and how you can gain support in this exciting market. (Karin will give het tips and narrative from her work at Jamaica Inn in Devon. 
  2. Zantore Buoy from the Somerset Tolietry Company on working towards sustainability in product design
  3. Robin Tjolle from Visit England giving update on state of English Tourism 

This conference is FREE 

BOOK ON HERE 

If you have any questions OR have specific dietry requirements please contact us at info@visitsomerset.co.uk

 

 
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