Conference

The Big Tourism Conference 2025

Last updated 20/01/2025

The Tourism Conference was held at Keele University on Thursday 9th January 2025.

A BIG Tourism Conference thank you to everyone for attending the day.

The Conference provided businesses and organisations that support and work within the visitor economy in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent the opportunity to come together at an exciting and informative event to learn all about both the national and local updates and to hear all about what the Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent LVEP are prioritising from the Growth Plan.

To Complete the online Feedback form please click here: Jan 2025 Conference feedback form

To register your interest for future conference and events please email tourism@staffordshire.gov.uk 

The day offered informative workshops, guest speakers, opportunities to network with others, 

Conference delegates were informed about a range of topics including:

  • The National picture - whats happening nationally right now
  • Priority strands of the Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent LVEP
  • Visit England - Business Tourism update
  • Stoke 100 Centenary - 2025
  • Starring Staffordshire - the new Film Office & how it can boost your business
  • Website User behaviour - and how it is changing
  • Accessibility and Inclusion
  • User Generated content on social media
  • Funding opportunities

2025 Conference Presentations and Workshops

Whether you were able to attend the conference or not, you can view and download PDF copies of the presentations using the links in the table below:

Presentations 

Please click on the headings below to view and download PDF copies of the presentations

National Update - Richard Toomer - The Tourism Alliance

Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent LVEP - Priority strands of the Growth Plan - Laura Gerrard

Visit England Business Tourism - Paul Szomoru

Stoke-on-Trent Centenary 100 plans - Jon Rouse CBE

Workshop - Starring Staffordshire - how the new film office will support the Visitor Economy - Jonny Shelton

Workshop - Visitor Visuals - Utilising User Generated Content - Cody Dillabough

Workshop - Embracing the Purple Pound: The power of accessibility in Tourism and Hospitality - AccessAble - slides to follow

Workshop - How Website user behaviour is changing - Tina Veeter - slides to follow

Wokshop - Unlocking Funding Opportunities and Support for Businesses in the Visitor Economy - Rachel Wood and Tom Nadin


The Big Tourism Conference 2024

Last updated 05/02/2024

A BIG Tourism Conference thank you to everyone for attending the day.

The 2024 Conference provided businesses and organisations that support and work with the visitor economy in Staffordshire and Stoke-on-Trent the opportunity to come together at an exciting and informative event to learn all about how the newly accreditated Staffordshire & Stoke-on-Trent Local Visitor Economy Partnership (LVEP) plans to work directly with VisitEngland and grow Staffordshire tourism in 2024 and beyond.

To Complete the online Feedback form please click here: Jan 2024 Conference feedback form

To register your interest for future conference and events please email info@enjoystaffordshire.com 

The day offered informative workshops, guest speakers, opportunities to network with others, and the chance to better understand our targets for growth and stability of the sector.

Conference delegates were informed about a range of topics including:

  • How to get involved in exciting projects linked to UK Shared Prosperity Funding (UKSPF)
  • Access sector specific business support and training
  • Benefit from professional guidance on marketing and promotion
  • Find out how your business can be more accessible to appeal to more visitors
  • How to operate more sustainably and benefit from greener credentials

2024 Conference Presentations and Workshops

Whether you were able to attend the conference or not, you can view and download PDF copies of the presentations using the links in the table below

Presentations 

Please click on the headings below to view and download PDF copies of the presentations

VisitEngland update - Nicola Said

LVEP  update - Charlotte Cain, Enjoy Staffs & Caroline Mairs, SOTCC

Economic Impact STEAM report - Shannon Chu, WMGC

Accessibility Tool Kit - Ross Calladine, VisitEngland

SEQM Accreditation Awards - hosted by Faith Johnson & Cllr Mike Gledhill

Workshop - How your business can benefit from our UKSPF Staffordshire Moorlands campaign

Workshop - Five reasons to enter the Tourism & Good Food Awards

Workshop - Commission and create great video content

Workshop - Developing your workforce and attracting talent