Our 2023 Speakers & Presentations
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Rowland Rees-Evans - Chairman, MWT Cymru
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Gareth Jones, Brynarth Country Cottages: "Grant opportunities and tax saving tips for the local tourism industry"
Gareth is a MWT member and owns Brynarth Country Cottages near Aberystwyth, together with his wife. He has been a Chartered Accountant since 2007 and runs a small Chartered Accountancy practice in Aberystwyth where he assists a number of local businesses with their accounting & finance needs.
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Val Hawkins, MBE - Chief Executive, MWT Cymru
Val Hawkins has over 40 years in Welsh tourism, and was recently honored with an MBE for her significant contributions to tourism and the economy in Wales. She's a leading figure, representing Welsh tourism nationally and regionally, and is spearheading innovative approaches to enhance the tourist experience and boost the economy. Her MBE acknowledges her enduring commitment and leadership in the field. |
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Charles Symons, Buzzmint Co-founder: "Empowering Connected Communities and Circular Economies through Web3"
Charles is a strategic digital marketing professional and award winning film maker with over 26 years experience shaping and implementing digital marketing solutions for some of the biggest brands in media, technology and healthcare. With excellent client relationship skills, integrated channel experience and a particular Web 3 blockchain digital content focus, he thrives on leading clients to find new ways to engage customers and drive digital client growth. |
Neil Ferguson, Buzzmint Co-founder: "Empowering Connected Communities and Circular Economies through Web3"
Neil is an award-winning graphic and motion designer with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and sales for some of the UKs top publishing and media companies. He comes with a wealth of leadership and technical thinking that allows him to solve multiple clients’ problems in a fast, efficient and coherent manner. Neil has a passion for branding and elevating visual identity.
Neil is an award-winning graphic and motion designer with over 20 years’ experience in marketing and sales for some of the UKs top publishing and media companies. He comes with a wealth of leadership and technical thinking that allows him to solve multiple clients’ problems in a fast, efficient and coherent manner. Neil has a passion for branding and elevating visual identity.
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Rhys Mullan, Station Manager - Mid & West Wales Fire & Rescue Service: “Fire safety requirements for providers of guest accommodation - updates to legislation and guidance”
Rhys is a Fire Safety regulator looking after Powys and Ceredigion for Mid & West Wales FRS. In addition to performing operational roles, he has spent 7 years in the Business Fire Safety team working with a wide variety of holiday accommodation providers. In addition to presenting on fire safety requirements and recent updates, members of the team will be available on the day to chat through any queries from delegates. |
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Suzy Davies, Chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance
Suzy has been the Chair of the Wales Tourism Alliance since 2021, a period of much turbulence for the industry despite the lifting of the pandemic lockdown.
A former Assembly Member/Member of the Senedd, she served on committees examining issues relevant to tourism and was, at various times, Shadow Minister for Tourism, Education, Culture & Heritage, Social Services and Welsh language. She was also Chair of the Senedd’s Cross-Party group on Tourism. She began her career working in hospitality, tourist information and arts marketing before qualifying as a solicitor, working mainly in Mid Wales. She lives in the Dyfi Valley where her family has a farm and caravan park. As well as chairing the WTA, Suzy also serves on a number of other boards including S4C and Colleges Wales. She has also recently joined Monty Lit Fest. |
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Steve Hughson, Chair Mid Wales Tourism Forum and Event Wales Advisory Group
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Clare Dwight – Visit Wales
Clare is proudly from mid Wales and has worked on behalf of Wales with the domestic and international Travel Trade and other intermediaries for the past 20 years. From summer jobs working on the Llandrindod Wells Victorian Festival, and Royal Welsh Showground, Clare’s background includes destination marketing for Birmingham, as well as stints marketing the Black Country Living Museum and Leicestershire Museums. She is passionate about attracting visitors here and helping more Wales businesses reach a wider market. |
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Sarah Whitfield – Marketing Manager TXGB, Visit Wales
Sarah has a degree in Tourism Marketing and worked in hospitality at local hotels where she grew up in North Wales as well as London at The Goring Hotel. Having worked in various roles for the Welsh Government over the last 10 years, Sarah is now working to help promote the benefits of TXGB to the Welsh tourism industry. |
Rob Lewis Jones - International Media Relations Executive – Visit Wales
Born in Mid Wales, Rob has worked in promoting Wales as a holiday destination all his working career (34yrs – he started when he was 5!)
Having worked at TIC’s regional offices, London and Cardiff, over the past 20 years Rob has been promoting Wales to the international markets through PR; co-working with traditional media, TV & Radio, Influencers, Media shows. He fully arranges media visits and has even been on the examination board of WOTGA and done a "load of crazy stuff just to promote Wales!"
Rob has a deep passion for Wales and all that it has to offer. When he’s not “selling Wales” Rob enjoys coming Home to mid Wales every 2 weeks where he likes to support local charities and events in his home village.
Born in Mid Wales, Rob has worked in promoting Wales as a holiday destination all his working career (34yrs – he started when he was 5!)
Having worked at TIC’s regional offices, London and Cardiff, over the past 20 years Rob has been promoting Wales to the international markets through PR; co-working with traditional media, TV & Radio, Influencers, Media shows. He fully arranges media visits and has even been on the examination board of WOTGA and done a "load of crazy stuff just to promote Wales!"
Rob has a deep passion for Wales and all that it has to offer. When he’s not “selling Wales” Rob enjoys coming Home to mid Wales every 2 weeks where he likes to support local charities and events in his home village.
Ruth Partridge - WRAP Cymru
Ruth has over 20 years experience of working across many sectors in resource management. This has included working for LAs, NHS, Welsh Government and the Third Sector. She is currently a Recycling Collections Advisor with WRAP Cymru focusing on the delivery of support for the introduction of the new Workplace Recycling Regs.
Ruth has over 20 years experience of working across many sectors in resource management. This has included working for LAs, NHS, Welsh Government and the Third Sector. She is currently a Recycling Collections Advisor with WRAP Cymru focusing on the delivery of support for the introduction of the new Workplace Recycling Regs.
