Hospitality Newfoundland and Labrador will bring together operators, resources and researchers to paint a full tourism picture at the Annual Conference & Trade Show.
Today’s traveller is seeking to explore a destination through one-of-a-kind, incredible experiences and it takes a lot for a destination to deliver. Keynote speaker and tourism innovation leader, Doug Lansky, will get delegates thinking about putting travellers at the core of the experience, as well as sharing and learning from one another. Doug will moderate a panel of tourism operators to share their experiences, strategies and best practices for developing and delivering truly unique and culturally rich tourism experiences. Hospitality NL welcomes to the panel Sean Sullivan, Sullivan’s Songhouse; Jillian Larkham, Nunatsiavut Government; Janet Denstedt, Old Salt Box Co; and Kayla Walters, St. John’s Beer Tours.
A key component of developing experiences is understanding the traveller, their behaviours, and what motivates them. Join Michaela Roebothan, Director of Sector Research with the Department of Tourism, Culture, Industry and Innovation as she reviews the results and insights from the 2016 Visitor Exit Survey.
On the final day of the Conference, Hospitality NL will zero in on how local ingredients enhance the culinary tourism experience. Moderator, Kristie Jameson, Executive Director of Food First NL will be joined by panelists Todd Perrin, Mallard Cottage; Susan Lester, Lester’s Farm Market; and Roger Dewling, Feast–Rustic Newfoundland Fare as they explore the benefits of using local ingredients, accessing those ingredients, and why it is important, not only to the tourism industry, but to the entire province, to focus on eating local.
Also on Thursday, in a panel discussion with Kelly Smith and Dana Grant of the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC), successful tourism entrepreneurs will explain how they navigated a changing market to grow their businesses.
Due to the strong support of the local tourism industry, Hospitality NL’s Conference has sold out! In 2018, Hospitality NL will celebrate 35 years of serving as the voice of tourism in Newfoundland and Labrador and working with the members to build amazing industry growth and progress. The 35th Annual Conference & Trade Show will feature an exciting line-up of sessions and events, a supplier-focused trade show and exclusive learning and networking opportunities for all tourism stakeholders in attendance.
Hospitality NL’s Annual Conference and Trade Show is the largest annual gathering of tourism operators within the province and is taking place in St. John’s, February 20-22, 2018. Visit www.hnl.ca/conferences/2018 to learn more!