Outscape Conference 2024 - Inspiring Exceptional Outdoor Places

Immerse yourself in a day filled with thought-provoking discussions led by an impressive lineup of speakers and panelists. Throughout the event, participants will learn about:

Keynote Speech

• What Does Excellence Look Like on the World Stage? Our keynote speech will be provided by Catherine Flanagan, the CEO of the Association of Visitor Experiences and Attractions. Catherine was appointed CEO of AVEA in 2022. AVEA represents over 120 attractions on the island of Ireland. In addition to her work with AVEA, Catherine previously worked with the Irish Tourism Industry Confederation and the Incoming Tour Operators Association, as well as holding senior sales and marketing roles in the hotel sector. Catherine is a graduate of Trinity College Dublin, UCD, and TU Dublin (formerly DIT), and has a particular interest in creative and cultural entrepreneurship, and early career mentoring. She sits on several tourism industry advisory groups, and is the Chair of the Five Lamps Arts Festival.

Presentations and Panel 1

• Global Excellence in Outdoor Design: Delve into renowned outdoor spaces from around the world that have garnered global acclaim. Through compelling case studies, we will showcase iconic destinations where innovative design, seamless visitor experiences, and environmental sustainability converge. Understand the key principles that propel these spaces onto the international stage and how they contribute to the well-being of visitors, communities, and the environment.

Our presenters include:

- Daithi De Forge, Head of Recreation at Coillte

- Julian Gray, Director of the South West Coast Path

- Ward Segers, from Visit Limburg

And will be joined by Catherine Flanagan for the panel discussion.

Presentations and Panel 2

• Local Success Stories: Explore outstanding outdoor spaces closer to home and learn from successful projects that embrace visitor-led design and sustainable practices. These initiatives contribute to the unique landscapes and cultural heritage of our region. Discover the specific challenges and opportunities inherent in these local contexts and how they have been navigated to create exceptional outdoor environments.

Our presenters are: 

- Janet Vance, Experiences and Partnerships Curator, National Trust

- John Howard, OM Dark Sky Observatory (Mid Ulster District Council)

- Laura Bayley, Co-Owner of Fodder, Co. Down

And will be joined by Aideen Martin from Outscape for the panel discussion.

Panel 3

• What Does This Mean For Us? To round out the day, a panel of experts will outline the learnings provided from the previous panels and examine how these could help shape the future of iconic outdoor experiences in Northern Ireland.

Our panelists are:

- John McGrillen, CEO, Tourism NI

- Dr. Paul Mullan, National Lottery Heritage Fund

- Maria McAlister, Tourism NI

- Caro-lynne Ferris, Director, Outscape

As we conclude this enriching day, we invite you to participate in one of the optional "Walkshops" around the beautiful surroundings of the trails at Barnett Demesne.

Just like last year's sold-out conference, we anticipate high demand. To secure your place, simply click on the link to the right of this page. We encourage you to book your ticket as soon as possible. The conference fee is £80 and registration is essential. If you prefer to pay via Purchase Order, please email Ethan at ethan@out-scape.com.