FULLY BOOKED!
Wednesday 20 & Thursday 21 September 2023
We are really looking forward to bringing our Annual Convention to Belfast, in partnership with Tourism Northern Ireland and supported by Tourism Ireland and Visit Belfast.
Taking place at the historic Assembly Buildings, this flagship event will bring together more than 250 travel trade professionals from all corners of the UK and all across the industry for two days of networking opportunities, seminars and workshops, one-to-one business meetings, and engaging discussions on the critical issues facing the industry.
UKiCon23 is a fantastic opportunity to meet all your travel trade business needs in one place.
Join us to:
- Meet and connect with new industry contacts and strengthen existing relationships
- Generate new business through a major day B2B workshop with one-to-one scheduled appointments and free-flow session
- Hear the latest insights and trends from industry experts
- Be inspired by keynote speaker Jamil Qureshi – author of the acclaimed The Mind Coach and recognised leader in the psychology of performance and leadership
- Share experiences and ideas with like-minded travel trade professionals
- Celebrate the successes of our industry at the Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner
- Discover the very best that Belfast and Northern Ireland have to offer through a range of exciting fam trips
PROGRAMME*
Wednesday 20 September
11:00 – Welcome from UKinbound, Tourism Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast
11:25 – VisitBritain Update: Patricia Yates, VisitBritain
11:55 – Keynote Address: Jamil Qureshi
12:35 – Lunch
13:35 – Buyers workshop & local supplier fair, led by Tourism Northern Ireland and Visit Belfast
space– Supplier Workshop: Anthony Stears, National Sales Conference
14:50 – Refreshment break
15:20 – Inbound tourism prospects & trends: David Edwards, Scattered Clouds
15:50 – Panel debate: Tim Alderslade, Airlines UK; Paul Gaffney, Tendo Consulting; Ruth Andrews, ITOA; Paul Hastings-Gayle, Tour Partner Group; and Louise Bryce, VisitBritain. Moderated by Richard Toomer, Tourism Alliance
19:00 – Informal networking evening
Thursday 21 September
10:00 – 16:30 – B2B Workshop
10:00 – 11:30 – China market seminar – Helena Beard, Guanxi
USA market seminar – Gavin Landry, VisitBritain
14:00 – 15:30 – China market seminar – Helena Beard, Guanxi
USA market seminar – Gavin Landry, VisitBritain
19:30 – Awards for Excellence Gala Dinner, Belfast City Hall
Friday 22 – Sunday 24 September
Choice of optional half day, one-night and two-night fam trips – full details below.
*Programme subject to change
RATES
We are delighted that Tourism Ireland are kindly supporting buyer attendance, therefore buyer first delegates can enjoy £85 off attendance.
Buyer first delegate: £355 £270* + VAT (with TI support)
Additional delegates: £230* + VAT
Supplier first delegate: £555* + VAT
Additional delegates: £455* + VAT
Please note that bookings have now closed.
Tickets include access to the full Convention programme, meals and refreshments, transfers between venues and fam trips.
Full details on how to book your accommodation can be found in the UKiCon23 Key Information Pack.
*Tickets include a £5 donation to The People’s Kitchen as part of Visit Belfast’s Changing the Menu For Good initiative. If you would like to opt out please select the ‘opt out’ option when booking your ticket and your total will be reduced accordingly.
CHANGING THE MENU FOR GOOD
We are pleased to support Visit Belfast’s Changing the Menu For Good initiative – a pioneering way for businesses to ‘give back’ to the city and deliver sustainable events that leave a positive legacy. The donations are made to The People’s Kitchen, one of Belfast’s largest independently-run food banks that works to tackle food poverty and homelessness.
A £5 donation from 250 delegates will provide 28 food parcels that will feed 28 families (2 adults & 2 children) for 3 days – or the equivalent of over 1,000 meals!
If you would like to opt out please select the ‘opt out’ option when booking your ticket.
FAM TRIPS
After the main programme, delegates can choose to join one of three fam trips to discover the best of Belfast and Northern Ireland:
Half Day Belfast City Walking Tour (Friday 22 September) – open to all delegates. FULLY BOOKED – WAITING LIST ONLY
Join DC Tours and explore the unique history, beautiful architecture, stunning street art of Belfast and the fascinating stories of its citizens from across the centuries.
Exploring the Causeway Coast (Friday 22 – Saturday 23 September) – buyers only.
Explore must-see sights along the dramatic Causeway Coastal Route including the Giant’s Causeway Day and Ballygally Castle Hotel. Day two features a visit to Titanic Belfast and Titanic Distillers – located where RMS Titanic once stood – and lunch in the city before delegates depart for home.
Discovering Belfast and Beyond (Friday 22 – Sunday 24 September) – buyers only.
Discover the best of Belfast, Armagh, and Derry-Londonderry – visit iconic attractions such the Game of Thrones Studio Tour and Hillsborough Castle and Gardens, experience Belfast and Armagh through their food and drink scenes, and immerse yourself in the history and stories of Derry-Londonderry.
If you’d like to join a fam trip please indicate your preference on the booking form.
Please note that itineraries are subject to change and availability.
KEY INFORMATION TO HELP YOU PLAN YOUR CONVENTION
Download our key information pack for full details on key dates, getting to and from Belfast, accommodation booking links, and travel discount codes.
WITH THANKS TO:
