AVEA Meets in Kilkenny

Over 200 of Ireland’s top visitor attractions and visitor experience operators are in Kilkenny this week for the 7th annual AVEA (Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions) conference.

Global experts in the areas of innovation, agile business operations and inclusion will share their expertise and knowledge with the conference delegates as the Irish tourism industry continues to work towards innovation and how to be more agile and inclusive. The conference’s leadership panel will include Tourism Ireland CEO Alice Mansergh, Failte Ireland’s Jenny De Saulle, CEO of the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation Eoghan O’ Mara Walsh, and the CEO at Tourism Northern Ireland, John McGrillen.

The international speakers include Ciaran Connolly, founder of ProfileTree, who is an expert on AI tools for content marketing; Laura Magee, CEO of Thoroughbred Country which is a destination collaboration between Kildare and Tipperary that celebrates equine tourism; and Nik Wyness, Head of Marketing at the Tank Museum, Dorset, who will speak on the worldwide audiences generated through their highly engaging online channels. 

Also joining will be Alison Bowyer, Executive Director, Kids in Museums; Eleanore Hutch and Kat Riddell, Diageo Brand Homes, on their work to make the Guinness Storehouse autism-friendly; Sally Booth and Olivia Hewley from VocalEyes to talk about making experiences accessible to visitors who have visual impairments; Michael Faley from Google on the latest trends for how we search and book holidays online; Gary Farrington from Expedia Group; and Anne O'Donoghue, CEO, Irish Heritage Trust. 

A highlight of the conference is sure to be the Gala Dinner at St Canice’s Cathedral, which expects to welcome over 150 of Ireland’s tourism leaders. St Canice’s will be showcasing the illuminated Book of Ossory, which is on display in its new home for the first time in its 700-year history.