23 Apr 2024
NI Tourism Conference 2024
Tourism NI was delighted to host the NI Tourism Conference 2024 at Titanic Belfast.
This year’s conference focussed on People, Place and Partnership, with a wealth of inspiring and interactive expert speakers, panel discussions and engagement opportunities with the Tourism NI team, key partners and industry peers.
View Conference Highlights Video Here:
The Line Up
The event was hosted and facilitated by award winning journalist, author and broadcaster Dearbhail McDonald.
Economy Minister Conor Murphy MLA formally opened the event, followed by Tourism NI Chief Executive John McGrillen outlining Tourism NI’s strategic priorities for the year ahead. We also heard from the Chief Executive of Tourism Ireland, Alice Mansergh.
We then welcomed an exciting line up of guest speakers including:
George Clarke
George Clarke is a presenter, architect and a passionate environmental and sustainability expert, becoming a household name with his passion for restoring neglected, empty and disused old buildings – and turning them into homes.
George joined Dearbhail to discuss sustainability, regeneration, and the importance of a ‘Sense of Place’ in the context of the tourism and hospitality industry.
Adrian Webster
Adrian Webster specialises in creating a high-performance culture that elevates people and optimises talent. Adrian tells it like it is, drawing on his own varied experience in corporate life and the public sector.
During his interactive session, Adrian demonstrated what it takes to develop a people-centred, aspirational culture that fosters self-belief, encourages ownership and uncovers hidden talents. A collaborative culture that pulls people together and inspires them to achieve more than they ever thought possible.
Ciaran Connolly
Ciaran Connolly, founder of ProfileTree, specialises in digital transformation, developing digital strategies and supporting businesses to introduce free and paid AI and digital tools to streamline and drive business.
During an engaging and interactive session, Ciaran demonstrated what AI can do for your tourism business to help improve customer experience, streamline operations and drive growth.
Our Place Panellists
Dr Paul Mullan - National Lottery Heritage Fund
Kerrie Sweeney - Maritime Belfast Trust
Aeidin McCarter - Derry City & Strabane District Council
Supporting Documents:
You can now access downloadable presentations and useful materials from the day from John McGrillen, Alice Mansergh and Ciaran Connolly in the 'Supporting Documents' section of this page.
View Presentations and Panel Discussions Here:
John McGrillen - Chief Executive Tourism Northern Ireland
Tourism NI CEO John McGrillen takes a look at some highlights of the past year and sets out the Tourism Strategic Priorities for the year ahead, and beyond.
Alice Mansergh - Chief Executive Tourism Ireland
Tourism Ireland Chief Executive Alice Mansergh shares an update from the Tourism Ireland team.
Ciaran Connolly - AI in Tourism
Ciaran Connolly, founder of ProfileTree, explores developments in AI including a range of examples highlighting opportunities for the tourism & hospitality industry.
George Clarke - 'Sense of Place'
Host Dearbhail McDonald is joined by George Clarke for a conversation discussing regeneration, the importance of protecting what we have & a sense of place.
Place Panel Discussion
In this facilitated panel discussion, Dearbhail & George are joined by local representatives:
- Dr Paul Mullan - National Lottery Heritage Fund,
- Kerrie Sweeney - Maritime Belfast Trust
- Aeidin McCarter - Derry City & Strabane District Council.