A major summit conference for Cumbrian companies involved in the tourism sector next month has attracted one of the UK’s top business motivators.
Geoff Ramm , the creator and author of Celebrity Service and OMG Marketing, will be the guest speaker at The Innovation Summit – Big Ideas for the Visitor Economy Supply Chain – which is aimed at small businesses who want to turn ideas into reality.
Keynote speakers at the event on Feb 13 will be Craig Ivison, Head of Skills at Cumbria LEP, and a representative from Cumbria Tourism, along with Fiona Kilkelly from the Government-funded Innovate UK family.
Geoff Ramm, who believes that the only way to attract more customers is to create “jaw-dropping marketing”, will talk about the importance of marketing when any business has an innovative idea.
The European Regional Development funded event will be staged at Kendal’s Castle Green Hotel and will include lunch and networking along with presentations and workshops. It is aimed at all those in the supply chain of the visitor economy in Cumbria and the Lake District; that’s everyone from coffee roasters, food providers, micro-breweries, artisan bakers to laundries.
“We want to give businesses the opportunity to learn how innovation and realising ideas can provide business growth. There will be an opportunity to see how digital technology can support growth and help businesses to understand consumer behaviour. Immersive technology is being used more and more so, particularly for events and attractions,” said Sarah Allison, senior project officer for Cumbria Innovations Platform, the organising body.
“We are delighted that Geoff Ramm has accepted our invitation. He is one of the leading customer service and marketing experts in the country with a reputation for creating highly successful innovative ideas. It’s well reported that many ideas fail because businesses aren’t fully aware of the importance of marketing.”
She added: “We want to help businesses overcome barriers to innovation and to support them in getting their ideas off to a flying start. There will be plenty of professionals on hand to answer questions and offer advice.”
Speakers will look at big ideas for the future, in the context of local industrial strategy and the state of the nation, while exploring future opportunities for the visitor economy which is worth £2.9bn a year to Cumbria.
Mini workshops will offer the chance to hear about immersive technology, sustainable tourism and eco-innovation, and financing innovation. One to one appointments with various specialists will also be available and can be booked on the day.
Early booking is advised as there will be only 80 places available.
Booking details https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/big-ideas-for-the-future-innovation-in-the-visitor-economy-registration-54751405929
