We're delighted that Iolo will be one of our key note speakers at this years Mid Wales Tourism & Business conference!

Iolo Williams is a Welsh naturalist, broadcaster, public speaker and writer who’s worked in conservation for over 30 years.

He is most widely known as a popular member of the Springwatch, Autumnwatchand Winterwatch presenting team and for presenting series such as Wild Wales, Rugged Wales and Great Welsh Parks for BBC 2.

Iolo’s early years

Iolo was born and brought up in mid Wales and studied in London for a degree in ecology at North East London Polytechnic. After graduating he went on to work for the RSPB for almost 15 years as Species Officer for Wales, a job he loved as he worked with some of the country’s rarest breeding birds.

Eventually this brought him to the attention of the media and BBC 2’s Visions of Snowdonia and Birdman followed Iolo’s work as an RSPB officer.

In the late 1990s Iolo left the Society to work full-time in the media.  His series, in both Welsh and English, concentrated on the wildlife of Wales and the world and he co-presented several network series such as Nature’s Top 40 and Countryfile.
Iolo has written several books on Welsh wildlife in both English and Welsh and he is a regular contributor to several magazines, including ‘BBC Wildlife’.
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Empassioned Speaker

Iolo gives informative and entertaining talks about Birds of Prey and Wildlife in Wales and he’ll shortly be touring with Martin Hughes-Games (from the ‘Watches’) with their new, fun and fact packed show Wildlife Road Trip. More about Iolo’s talks >

As someone who is utterly dedicated to conservation, Iolo has used his knowledge and experience to address the Welsh Assembly, proving to be a power-house of a speaker.

Sky high and oceans deep

In his spare time Iolo contributes to wildlife surveys in Wales. He is very well travelled and enjoys tour guiding throughout the UK and in other countries.He’s a patron of several Welsh conservation organisations and is currently president of the Welsh Ornithological Society.

​He’s undertaken charity walks up Kilimanjaro for Velindre Cancer Care and has twice trekked the length of Wales for Air Ambulance and Hope House/Ty Hafan children’s hospices.  More about Iolo’s charities >

Iolo is a qualified paraglider, PADI Divemaster and a keen sportsman who’s played rugby for most of his life.

We're pleased to announce that Malcolm Bell (Chief Exec of Visit Cornwall) has agreed to speak at this years conference. We had the pleasure of hearing Malcolm talk at a Tourism Society conference in Cardiff earlier in the year and it will be a pleasure to hear him speak again.

Over the last 12 months Malcolm has steered Visit Cornwall, the Tourist Board for Cornwall, as it established itself as Community Interest Company having been a service of Cornwall Council for 40 years. 

With 100% loss in council funding Malcolm and his team had to make significant changes to their business model and worked with key partners from across the tourism industry to secure visit Cornwall's future and the vital services it provides for it's members and the destination as a whole.

Malcolm is a really dynamic and straight talking speaker who really understand the tourism industry.and we're delighted he will be attending the 2017 Mid Wales Tourism Conference!

Fair Booking UK - Due to unforeseen circumstances Anthony Climpson will be unable to present his talk on Fair Booking UK on Thursday but we have a fantastic replacement! Sue Clarke from Cumbria Tourism who has also played a big part in getting the Fair Booking project off the ground has kindly agreed to step in and present at the conference!

Sues Bio is now up on the website so take a look!!

Fantastic new visitor initiative!

Background:
 
As you will be aware increased costs due to high commission charges from intermediaries can, all too often, result in a loss of profits and therefore, in less money for your business to invest in the renewal, upgrade, improvement not to mention the training and development of your staff. This resultant reduction in profits not only affects your business, but inevitably impacts on the local supply chain with other local businesses such as builders, professional support services and local food and drink producers.
 
Therefore, not only is it in the interest of your business to work to rebalance the situation, but also in the interest of the wider local economy to encourage consumers to book direct, especially for regular and repeat customers who have a good understanding of the area and their requirements.
 
It is fully recognised that the online travel agents have and will continue to have an important role with their massive marketing budgets, and to receive their commissions for introducing new visitors to our county. It is then our job to educate those guests about the FairBooking campaign.

The Metropole Hotel

Llandrindod Wells, Powys,

   Thursday 19th March 2015

                       

Programme

  

9:45am                 Tea, Coffee & Registration, Networking & Exhibition

                               

10:50am               Introduction & Welcome

Mrs Anne Lloyd-Jones, MWT Chairman

 

11:00am               Opening Address

                                Mr Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister Culture, Sport & Tourism

 

11:25am               Fair Booking UK

Anthony Climpson, New Forest

               

12:00 noon          Introducing Fair Booking Wales

 

12:15pm               'Keeping Ahead' - Latest products/technology TBC
 

1:00pm                 Local Buffet Lunch - An opportunity to network with industry colleagues

 

2:00 pm                Creating the ‘Wow’ Effect – 5 Top Tips

 

2:45pm                 Mid Wales Showcase: 

·         Samworth Brother's Charity Challenge Event



3.25 pm                Summing Up -   AGW


3:30pm                 ‘Meet the suppliers’ & Business Networking

                                Business network and talk with exhibitors & presenters



4:00pm                 Close

 

‘Meet the Supplier’ Exhibition & Business Networking

(9.45am – 11.00am / 1.00pm-2.00pm / 3.00pm – 4.00pm)

We are delighted that Ken Skates AM, Deputy Minister Culture, Sport & Tourism has confirmed he would be delighted to open our 2015 Tourism & Marketing conference!