Programme

Conference Programme

🕒 09:00 – 09:30

Registration & Trade Exhibition Opens

🕒 09:30 – 09:45

Welcome & Introductions
Michael Golding, ASVA CEO & Richard Lochhead, Minister for Business

🕒09:45 – 10:45

Beyond the Welcome: Crafting Unforgettable Experiences

• 09:45 – 10:05: Simon Addison, COO of Roman Baths
• 10:05 – 10:25: Angie Fowler, Visitor Experience Manager at The Royal Yacht Britannia
• 10:25 – 10:45: Abbie Fox-Smith, Visitor Experience Manager at The House of Commons

🕒 10:45 – 11:15

Morning Networking Break: Sponsored by Circle Heritage

🕒 11:15 – 12:15

Session 1

Blueprints for Brilliance: Best Practice in Larger Attractions
(Gannochy Trust Auditorium – PINK)

• 11:15 – 11:35: Paul Nixon, General Manager of The Real Mary King’s Close
• 11:35 – 11:55: Amy Harbour, Head of Licensing & Commercial Partnerships at the Science Museum Group & Tom Houseman, Multi Site Retail Manager for the Science Museum Group
• 11:55 – 12:15: Alex Harvie, Head of Marketing Communications & Destination Marketing at Glasgow Life & Moira McCall, Audience Engagement Lead at Glasgow Life

The Charm of Compact: Maximising Your Small Attraction’s Potential
(Norrie Miller Studio – GREEN)

• 11:15 – 11:35: Alison Rose, Manager of Scottish Dolphin Centre
• 11:35 – 11:55: Thania M. Flores, Heritage Environment Resource Officer at The Trimontium Trust & Museum
• 11:55 – 12:15: Ross McKirdy, Museum Manager at Grampian Transport Museum

🕒 12:15 – 12:45

Scottish Attractions Inspiring People Awards Ceremony

🕒 12:45 – 13:40

Lunch Break: Sponsored by ATS

🕒 13:40 – 14:45

Session 2 (all delegates into Gannochy Trust Auditorium)

Banishing the Boring: Front of House Case Study
13:40 – 14:00: Amy Akino-Wittering, Head of Operations & Commercial at Young V&A

Together we Thrive: Better Outcomes Through Strategic Connection
(Gannochy Trust Auditorium – PINK)

• 14:00 – 14:20: Russell Fraser, Founding Director of SCOTO
• 14:20 – 14:40: Ross McMillan, Head of Destinations at Scottish Canals & Alyce Paton, Regional Manager at Complete Works

Digital Horizons: The Future of Tech & AI for Scottish Attractions
(Norrie Miller Studio – GREEN)

• 14:00 – 14:20: Stephen Preston, Deputy Head of Heritage and Culture at St Giles’ Cathedral & Louise Arnold, Business Engagement Executive
• 14:20 – 14:40: Thanos Kokkinotis, Co-Founder & CEO of Smartify CIC

🕒 14:45 – 15:45

Session 3

Inclusion Unlocked: Creating Accessible & Diverse Visitor Experiences
(Gannochy Trust Auditorium – PINK)

• 14:45 – 15:05: Kat Brogan, Managing Director at Mercat Tours
• 15:05 – 15:25: Steve Owens, Science Operations Manager at Glasgow Science Centre
• 15:25 – 15:45: Spencer Clark, Managing Director at ATS & Steve Dering, Director of Strategic Partnerships at Direct Access

Building a Sustainable Future for Visitor Attractions
(Norrie Miller Studio – GREEN)

• 14:45 – 15:05: Mike Benson, Director at The Scottish Crannog Centre 
• 15:05 – 15:25: Ben Supple, Deputy CEO & Director of Engagement and Business Development at RZSS 
• 15:25 – 15:45: Allison Everett, Buying & Retail Manager at Fruitmarket Gallery

🕒 15:45 – 16:15

Afternoon Networking Break: Sponsored by BVA BDRC

🕒 16:15 – 17:25

Future of Tourism: Vision to Support World Class Scottish Attractions

• 16:15 – 16:32: Josh Ryan-Saha, Director of Traveltech for Scotland
• 16:32 – 16:49 Marc Crothall MBE, CEO of Scottish Tourism Alliance
• 16:49 – 17:06: Rob Dickson, Director of Industry and Events at VisitScotland
• 17:06 – 17:21: Bernard Donoghue OBE, CEO of ALVA
•  

🕒 17:15 – 17:30

Conference Close

🕒 18:00 – 20:00

Join us at Perth Museum for our evening drinks reception: Sponsored by Timberplay Scotland