Immerse yourself in a day filled with thought-provoking discussions led by an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists. Throughout the event, participants will learn about:

Keynote Speech

• What Does Excellence Look Like on the World Stage? Our keynote speech will be provided by Catherine Flanagan, the CEO of the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions. Catherine was appointed CEO of AVEA in 2022. AVEA represents over 120 attractions on the island of Ireland. In addition to her work with AVEA, Catherine previously worked with the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and the Incoming Tour Operators Association, as well as holding senior sales and marketing roles in the hotel sector. Catherine is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and TU Dublin (formerly DIT), and has a particular interest in creative and cultural entrepreneurship, and early career mentoring. She sits on several tourism industry advisory groups, and is the Chair of the Five Lamps Arts Festival.

Presentations and Panel 1

• Global Excellence in Outdoor Design: Delve into renowned outdoor spaces from around the world that have garnered global acclaim. Through compelling case studies, we will showcase iconic destinations where innovative design, seamless visitor experiences, and environmental sustainability converge. Understand the key principles that propel these spaces onto the international stage and how they contribute to the well-being of visitors, communities, and the environment.

Our presenters include:

– Daithi De Forge, Head of Recreation at Coillte

– Julian Gray, Director of the South West Coast Path

– Ward Segers, from Visit Limburg

And will be joined by Catherine Flanagan for the panel discussion.