Annual Industry Event 2024

Join us as we bring together a range of adventure tourism stakeholders from Aberdeen City and Aberdeenshire to review the past year and look ahead to 2024 with a touch of international insight.

North East Scotland is ambitious to fulfil its potential as a world-class adventure tourism destination. In the past year, transformational capital investment through the North East Adventure Tourism project has created new regional facilities. Join our annual industry engagement event to hear the latest updates from the NEAT project delivery team, gain international insight into the adventure tourism sector, discuss recent developments and make valuable connections with like-minded individuals as we gear up for 2024.

Start the day with refreshments and network with fellow attendees.
Jennifer Craw, CEO of Opportunity North East, will formally open the event and set the scene for the regional ambition and unique partnership driving action and investment in the sector.
The NEAT project team, comprising Will Clarke and Fee Wallace, will provide an in-depth update on project activity, recent developments, and support for the sector moving forward.
Luca D'Angelo, the Destination Manager of the Paganella Tourism Board, and Andrea Gelsomino, the CEO and co-founder of The Outdoor Project, will deliver a captivating keynote presentation titled "The Paganella Story and the Future of Outdoor Tourism." This insightful talk will explore the future of outdoor tourism and what we can expect in the coming years.
Following the keynote presentation, there will be a short Q&A session, during which Luca, Andrea, Will, and Fee will answer questions from the audience.
Finally, during the networking lunch, you'll have the opportunity to make meaningful connections and explore potential opportunities. Don't miss out on this chance to network with industry leaders and your peers in the sector.

When?: 7th March 2024
Where?: Maryculter House, North Deeside Rd, Aberdeen AB12 5GB

Who is this event for?

Businesses in the adventure tourism sector.
Businesses who aspire to do more in the adventure tourism sector.
Businesses who want to link and collaborate with the adventure tourism sector.
Adventure tourism related facility projects.
NEAT project partners.
Governing bodies and agencies involved with adventure tourism activity.
Funders and investors.

Programme

10:00–10:30: Arrival & Snacks
10:30–10:40: Welcomes & Introductions. Jennifer Craw: CEO, Opportunity North East
10:40–11:10: NEAT Activity Update. Will Clarke: NEAT Project Manager & Fee Wallace: NEAT Project Co-Ordinator.
11:10–11:30: Break
11:30–12:15: Peak Experiences. The Paganella Story and the Future of Outdoor Tourism: Luca D’Angelo, Destination Manager Dolomiti Paganella Tourist Board & Andrea Gelsomino, CEO & co-founder of The Outdoor Project.
12:15–12:30: Panel Q&A
12:30–14:00: Networking Lunch

Peak Experiences

Luca D’Angelo brings a wealth of experience gained through his role as Destination Manager at the Dolomiti Paganella Tourism Board. Hear the Paganella Story moving through a sustained push towards being a 4 seasons adventure destination, developing world leading adventure facilities and engaging with a diverse customer and partner network. Recently Luca has co-founded The Outdoor Project with fellow adventure industry expert Andrea Gelsomino. Andrea will touch on outdoor tourism development, the challenges of climate change and winter tourism trends reflecting both extensive on the ground experience in the sector and taking a looking towards the future direction of tourism.