The invites for the Autumn Conference should have popped on your mats by now.

The theme of ‘Responding to Change’ is especially relevant, not least because we had a change in government earlier this year and they have stated that they wish to make a number of changes with regard to tourism.

We are therefore delighted that Jim Mather, Minister for Enterprise, Energy and Tourism has agreed to open the conference and take some questions from the floor. So an opportunity to hear from him first hand!

The other speakers too will be making their presentations drawing on their experience and expertise on a number of diverse subject areas. But all the context of change.

One of the major changes that continues to evolve and grow is that of visitors’ attitude to the environment. Paul Allen from the Centre of Alternative Technology will share his considerable knowledge from running CAT and his views on what the future holds.

CAT welcomes over 70,000 visitors a year who come to find out more about living more sustainably by seeing the work they do.

There has been some activity in recent years in destination management. Roger Carter is a leading international consultant in tourism destination management and marketing and his company has provided services throughout the UK and in Ireland, Portugal, Belgium, Australia, Estonia, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Seychelles and South Africa. So we should learn lessons from him too.

For us here in Scotland, one of biggest culture changes must be the Glasgow-Edinburgh Collaboration Initiative! No more will the two cities make jokes about each other (well not so many!!).

The initiative will scope new opportunities for the cities to work together and develop the scale needed to compete more effectively with other international cities and regions and should benefit not just the two cities but Scotland as a whole. Laura Gordon was appointed to lead this initiative last year and whilst it will certainly have its challenges, there will be many analogies for all.

The breakout sessions always prove very popular as the format allows for more questions (and answers) from the floor. This year will be no different with sessions focusing on visitor experience and business development.

The end of day one has been set aside for the full awards’ ceremony - Best Leaflet, Best Website and Rising Star. There is still time to get your entries in for these and if you’d like more information, do get in touch.

On day two we’ll be hearing how insights from a major segmentation study at VisitScotland has initiated changes in its new national marketing strategy. Jacqui Souter, who did all the work on the project and knows it inside out, will be sharing her knowledge. Gwen Raez will outline the changes in the strategy and thus how industry can best see how it can become involved.

The Royal Yacht Britannia is Scotland highest rated Five Star Visitor Attraction and Bob Downie will share his secrets of how he manages to run such a tight ship and offer a consistently superlative visitor experience.

Twenty years ago, the Forestry Commission Scotland was all about planting trees and maintaining forests. Today, whilst planting and maintenance still happens, FCS is genuinely leisure focused with new initiatives in urban as well as rural areas to work with communities and offer enhanced leisure facilities for all to enjoy. Fiona Murray will show us some of the work FCS is doing.

And to round off the day, Tony Strachan who is the Bank of England’s Agent for Scotland, will give us some insights into possible changes on the economic landscape that may impact on us. When I first met Tony in May, I asked him what changes did they foresee then? He noted that they were just beginning to get an inkling that there might be a slowdown on the High Street and that fact has been reported in the news very recently. So it will be interesting to get an update in November.

Apart from the conference proceedings, the dinner will once again be held at the Famous Grouse Experience. If previous years are anything to go, as well as good food there is lots of socialising and networking going on. A great way to relax after a hard day’s conferencing!

Already we’ve taken our first bookings, so to be sure of your place, send off your booking form as soon as possible. We’ll see you there!

Eva McDiarmid