VisitCornwall will host its Spring Conference during expowest Cornwall, which takes place at the Royal Cornwall Showground, Wadebridge, on March 6, 7 and 8 2012. The conference will take place on March 8.
A month earlier, and in a first for Devon, expowest will also be hosting the inaugural Devon Tourism Conference, in association with Visit Devon, during the expowest Westcountry event which takes place at the Westpoint Arena, Exeter, on February 8 and 9 2012. The conference will take place on February 8th
The expowest shows, now in their 32nd year, give thousands of business owners and managers the opportunity to meet with a huge range of local and national suppliers offering everything to meet the needs of the hospitality and catering industry. Already more than 200 exhibitors have signed up for the 2012 events which come at a pivotal time as the sector begins to gear up for the new season.
It means expowest provides the perfect timing and backdrop for the tourism conferences which will see industry leaders highlighting the latest issues for the sector as well and offering expert advice on maximising profits, planning ahead for changing visitor trends and dealing with regulation with the minimum of fuss and cost.
Malcolm Bell, Head of Tourism for VisitCornwall, said: “Holding our spring conference at expowest Cornwall brings together two great events. It is an excellent partnership at just the right time of the year for the industry and the combined offer allows visitors to make the most effective use of their time.
“The format is going to be similar to our autumn conference with keynote speakers in the morning and a series of shorter presentations in the afternoon, all addressing the key issues for owners and managers on how to develop business, get more customers and save money.”
Rosie Bates, General Manager at Visit Devon, said: “Holding the inaugural Devon Tourism Conference at expowest gives tourism businesses across Devon an excellent opportunity to attend two great events in one place. The programme is set to be extremely interesting with a number of great speakers to inspire and challenge attendees, and addressing the current key issues within the industry.”
Peter Sugden, Managing Director of expowest organisers Exhibitions South West, said: “We are incredibly proud of the role expowest plays in driving trade and best practice by bringing together the region’s tourism business and suppliers at the start of each year each year. The excellent response in exhibitor bookings for 2012 illustrates the importance that suppliers place in expowest as the key opportunity they know will kick start their order books for the season.
“Working closely with VisitCornwall and Visit Devon in helping stage their conferences during expowest is a perfect fit and adds real value for our visitors and suppliers. It also reinforces the exhibitions as must events in the industry diary.”
Detailed organisation of the tourism conferences is being carried out by Robin Barker of Services For Tourism, which handles tourism award schemes and events across the South West.
He said: “Against the background of challenging economic conditions nationally it is more important than ever that the tourism industry in the South West is maximising the opportunities offered by our wonderful region.
“These conferences will bring together national industry experts with the people in the frontline of our industry in the South West to discuss issues affecting the sector as well as practical ways to achieve both quality and profitability.”
For more information on exhibiting please call 01872 245220 or go to www.expowestexhibitions.com
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