Welcome to the Speakers section of the VEE & Partners Tourism Business Conference 2024.
This year, we are honoured to present an exceptional line-up of industry leaders and experts who will share their knowledge and insights.
Our principal speaker, Bernard Donoghue OBE, Chief Executive of the Association for Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), will offer invaluable perspectives on developing your business within the tourism sector.
Explore the bios below to learn more about our distinguished speakers and prepare to be inspired by their expertise and vision.
Bernard Donoghue has been the Director and CEO of ALVA (Association of Leading Visitor Attractions) since September 2011, leading its growth and expanding its member events six-fold.
He was appointed the Mayor’s Ambassador for Cultural Tourism in 2017 and Co-Chair of the London Tourism Recovery Board, playing a key role in the #LetsDoLondon campaign, which boosted London’s economy by £70 million.
Bernard chaired the London International Festival of Theatre (LIFT) from 2010 to 2021, now chairs the Bristol Old Vic, and was elected Chairman of the People’s History Museum in 2021. He also chairs the London and South East Regional Advisory Board of the National Trust.
Recognised as one of the world’s 50 most influential people in museums in 2020, Bernard received the COVID Special Recognition Award in 2021 for his leadership during the pandemic. In 2022, he was awarded an OBE for his contributions to tourism and culture.
Bernard also advises the UK Government’s Tourism Industry Council and has supported numerous charitable trusts, focusing on youth initiatives and LGBTQ rights. His career reflects a strong commitment to cultural heritage, tourism, and community service.
www.alva.org.uk
Debby McAllister is an accomplished digital communications expert and lecturer in tourism, at University College Birmingham.
Recognised for her extensive expertise in media strategies and public relations within the tourism sector. She combines her expertise in digital communications with a strong focus on leveraging Artificial Intelligence to revolutionise tourism education and industry practices. In her academic role, Debby collaborates with colleges that offer tourism programmes, to develop strategies that integrate AI, and enhance both teaching methods and industry applications. Her efforts aim to address the opportunities that this technology has to offer, whilst navigating the challenges that AI presents, and support the tourism industry for the evolving digital landscape. Debby has delivered impactful talks at significant events, including her presentation on Tech in Tourism at Birmingham Tech Week. Here, she explored the transformative potential of AI, emphasising its capacity to enhance tourism strategies, remove bias in technology, and streamline marketing.
Debby will explore with us the impact of generative AI on the tourism industry, focusing on its ability to transform personalised travel experiences, forecast trends, and craft engaging marketing content. Attendees will also address key challenges, such as managing data privacy and reducing bias in AI applications. Practical exercises will be included to help businesses harness AI’s opportunities while navigating its potential challenges.
Rechenda is MD of Nurture Marketing, a Norwich-based full-service marketing agency.
Established in June 2022, the company operates out of its ‘leopard print lair’ HQ at Blofield Business Centre in Norfolk and has worked with a range of businesses in the visitor economy including Norwich Theatre, Cley Windmill, Royal Norfolk Show, Barnham Broom and Whitlingham Country Park.
The company provides marketing services including PR, content, social media, print, video marketing and photography, as well as marketing strategy sessions and marketing training for visitor economy businesses across East Anglia.
www.nurturemarketing.co.uk
Vera Lett is a dynamic, multilingual professional with a strong background in Marketing, HR, Sales, and Account Management.
She holds an MBA in International Business from the University of East London. Currently, she is the Group Marketing & ESG Strategy Director at Tour Partner Group, where she has been instrumental in business development, service orientation, and solution selling. With extensive experience in leadership and management, Vera excels in creating sustainable partnerships and driving operational effectiveness in a private equity-backed environment. She is passionate about sustainability (ESG) and possesses excellent presentation and negotiation skills.
Vera Lett is the Group Marketing & ESG Strategy Director at Tour Partner Group. She has previously served as the Group Marketing & People Strategy Director and Commercial Director at Hotels & More within the same company. Her earlier roles include Director of Sales for Asia Pacific & Europe at Aqua Expeditions, and Global Sales Manager and Global Program Manager for Asia Pacific at Carlson Wagonlit Travel. Vera holds an MBA in International Business from the University of East London and a diploma in Economics/Management Consulting from the University of Applied Sciences, Cologne.
