Member Events

The Visit Essex conference was held at the Essex County Cricket Ground on 12th October 2021. As our first face to face meetup for members since Covid -19 it was a great opportunity for members to network and hear all the latest industry news. As well as Lisa Bone's update on Visit Essex  we heard from Kurt Janson on the latest Tourism Policy, the launch of the Tourism KnowHow Hub from Mary Tebje, and what Essex needs to do to achieve net zero green house gas emissions by 2050, Essex Cimate Action Commission plus ideas from Mary Tebje on how to make you tourism business more sustainable. If you would like more information you can download the presentations below.

Lisa Bone Visit Essex Update

Kurt Janson, Tourism Alliance

Mary Tebje, Essex Tourism Knowhow Hub

Essex Climate Action Commission

Latest meeting held 8th July 2021  

Download Lisa Bone's presentation from our last meeting where she updated on the current Visit Essex's campaigns and how you can get involved.

Previous meetings

November 2020

During our last meeting Lisa Bone explained how Visit Essex is planning for business recovery over the coming months, the latest consumer research and tips on how best to promote yourself in these uncertain times. You can download the presentation slides here 

We also heard from two Essex businesses, West Street Vineyard and Wivenhoe House, on how they have survived and adapted their business this year which was very inspiring.  The session ended with members divided into breakout groups where they could discuss the following topics:

• What opportunities have occurred as a result of COVID  e.g. new audiences, product, ways of operating?
• Do you have anything new for next year planned?
• Were you busier over the summer than you expected?
• What are your concerns regarding BREXIT or COVID?

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With the relaxing of Covid Restrictions we are planning to host our first face to face event this year with our annual Conference at Chelmsford City Racecourse. Please hold the date for further information. An invite to all members will be sent out later.

Our 2020's conference was sadly cancelled due to Covid -19 restrictions. Instead we held two virtual meetings in the spring to update members on the latest covid-19 advice and present our marketing strategies for the summer. Lisa Bone's presentation from our June meeting is available to download here.

We were pleased in May to be joined by the Tourism Minister, Nigel Huddelston MP who answered members questions and listened to their growing concerns. In June members had the opportunity to hear from Marks Hall Gardens, who had already opened, to find out what lessons they had learnt and Mary Tebje ran a short session on how best to communicate your changes to customers.

The 2019 Visit Essex Annual Conference took place on Tuesday 26th March at Layer Marney Tower, nr Colchester.  The event began with a National update and BREXIT predictions from Kurt Janson, Tourism Alliance, followed by Lisa Bone, Strategic Manager Visit Essex, explaining the opportunities for the coming year. Emma Tatlow then gave an interesting talk on how to create bookable experiences and commercial opportunities.  The final presentation  was given by Eoin Culligan, Expedia, who demonstrated how they could work with members to increase their reach.

After a networking lunch members were given the opportunity to attend a series of workshops from "How to turn your offer into an experience and bookable product" by Emma Tatlow, "Grow your Travel Trade" by Mike Newman, b2me Tourism Marketing to "What does Essex mean to you/Creating a sense of place" by Go to Places.

Each summer we organise a networking event, kindly hosted at one of our members venues. This is a great opportunity for members to meet, find out the latest information from Visit Essex whilst enjoying a barbecue or activity in great surroundings.

Our ast summer event was hosted by Clayhill Vineyard. With its fantastic views across the Crouch valley it was a perfect backdrop on a sunny afternoon to meet and hear the presentations. As part of the end of the European Interreg Profit project, Lisa Bone presented the findings and awards were given to the company who devised the best Profit Innovation plan. Congratulations went to the winners Mark Hall Estate, and runners up Browing Bros(Tey Brook Orchard Glamping) and Compasses at Pattiswick. Afterwards we all had the opportunity to connect and chat over a wonderful barbecue.