Free tourism exhibition is networking event of the year
The English Riviera's hugely valuable tourism industry will be celebrating English Tourism Week and preparing for a great 2012 season at the South Devon Tourism and Business Exhibition.
The free exhibition — jointly presented by the English Riviera Attractions Partnership, the Riviera International Conference Centre, the Federation of Small Businesses and the English Riviera Tourism Company — is seen as the industry's networking event of the year.
The event at the Riviera Centre (pictured) on March 15, is designed to allow local accommodation providers to meet representatives from local attractions and other businesses in the hospitality industry to ensure they are well informed and prepared for a successful 2012 season.
The first 250 accommodation providers to register in advance will receive a complimentary two-course lunch with the chance for more networking.
The event will be officially opened by the mayor of Torbay, Gordon Oliver, at 10am.
Highlights of the day include the launch of the new English Riviera summer TV campaign, the official ERTC industry update at 2.15pm presented by chief executive Carolyn Custerson, a new speed mentoring service and the launch of the Herald Express Tourism and Hospitality Awards.
Mrs Custerson said: "It is wonderful to see so many local businesses working together and supporting this event.
"I think of all our promotional partners collectively as 'Team English Riviera' and am truly delighted by what everyone has already contributed to the successful planning of the 2012 season."
Richard Cuming, chairman of the English Riviera Tourism Partnership, said: "The exhibition offers an important opportunity to showcase and promote the great and often unique attractions the English Riviera has to offer.
"It also reinforces our desire to support and work closely with the ERTC and the industry as a whole."
Jim Thomson, chairman of the Torbay branch of the Federation of Small Businesses, said: "The FSB actively promotes the vital importance of keeping business local and this exhibition offers really good value for exhibitors.
"All previous South Devon Tourism and Business Exhibitions have been hugely successful and they offer an ideal opportunity for local businesses to work together and show what they can do."
Jenny Thompson, operations manager at the Riviera Centre, said: "We're pleased to be organising and hosting this exciting event. The Arena lends itself perfectly to this type of exhibition and the Forum is great for the presentations.
"The ERTC's industry update is always particularly well attended and shouldn't be missed."
Article courtesy of Herald Express 8/03/12.
