The fourth National Visitor Attractions Conference (VAC2007) will take place on 16 October at the Queen Elizabeth Conference Centre in London, UK.

The one-day event will cover topics including sustainability, marketing, the law, technology and will feature two key note speeches – by culture secretary James Purnell and VisitBritain chair Christopher Rodriguez.

Tourism minister Margaret Hodge will also be present to answer questions from the floor.

There are four specialist seminars this year, including a discussion on the latest benchmarking data and a debate on the new National Code of Practice.

A session titled Tomorrow’s Customers will look at the sector’s expectations for the future.

Michael Jolly, VAC2007 chair, said: “This will be the best and only event of the year for people working within the attractions industry.

“If you are involved with the sector in any way, VAC2007 offers a great opportunity for networking, ideas and experiences for practitioners, as well as those involved with supplying, governing and overseeing the sector.

“This year’s conference will focus on new marketing ideas, as well as considering ways new technologies can improve visitor attractions. It will offer an opportunity to get up to date expert knowledge on a variety of topics.”

Technology talks include Jane Burton, a curator from Tate Modern, explaining the gallery’s experience with hand-held guide systems and Zoe Renilson from the Clore Interactive Gallery/New Gallery in Wigan recounting the attraction’s practical experience with interactive exhibits.

The conference is organised on a not-for-profit basis by the Association of Leading Visitor Attractions (ALVA), the British Association of Leisure Parks, Piers and Attractions (BALPPA), the Visitor Attractions Forum (VAF), VisitBritain and Attractions Management. www.vac2007.co.uk