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Meet the speakers
Meet the people shaping the conversation
The North-east Scotland Tourism Conference, in association with Aberdeen International Airport, brings together voices from across tourism, hospitality, business, culture and beyond to explore the opportunities and challenges shaping the next decade of tourism.
Meet the speakers joining us on 4 November 2026 at P&J Live, in association with Aberdeen International Airport, and discover more about their experience, expertise and the perspectives they will bring to this year’s programme.
More speakers will be announced in the coming weeks, so check back for the latest additions to the line-up.
Host
Fiona Stalker | TV & Radio Presenter
Fiona Stalker is a BBC Scotland TV and radio presenter, hosting programmes including Drivetime, Breakfast, The Seven and Reporting Scotland. Born and raised in Aberdeen, she has worked as a reporter, Reuters Scotland Correspondent, media trainer and journalism lecturer at Robert Gordon University. Fiona regularly hosts high-profile interview events and is passionate about promoting the North East of Scotland. In her spare time, she enjoys swimming, walking and exploring local food and drink.
Tourism Trends: Past, Present, and Future
David Edwards | Founder, Scattered Clouds
David founded Scattered Clouds in 2019 with a goal of supporting tourism businesses to transform data into insight. Prior to this David was instrumental in establishing an evidence-base for the newly formed Visit Jersey through extensive market analysis.
For twelve years David led VisitBritain’s Research & Evaluation team, ensuring the organisation was seen as an authority on inbound tourism trends and the drivers of those trends through in-depth analysis and commentary.
State of the Sector
Claire Bruce MBE | CEO Glen Tanar Estate
Claire has played an active part in the tourism industry in North-east Scotland for almost 20 years, including Chair of VisitAberdeenshire, on the board of Opportunity North East (ONE) and the Cairngorms Business Partnership. Claire was awarded an MBE for services to tourism in 2025. As a Venture Mentor, Claire supports local entrepreneurs to develop their businesses.
Claire Bruce is the Co-CEO of Glen Tanar Estate. The family run business is a diversified estate, operating forestry, the Glen Tanar Nature Reserve, fishing, outdoor activities and events, weddings, holiday cottages, and farming.
Marc Crothall MBE | Chief Executive, The Scottish Tourism Alliance
Marc has over 30 years’ experience in senior tourism, hospitality, leisure and events roles in Scotland and abroad. He became the first Chief Executive of The Scottish Tourism Alliance in 2012 and co-chairs the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Leadership Group (THILG) with the Scottish Government. His industry recognition includes the “Fellowship” awarded by the Scottish Hotel Industry, an MBE for services to Scottish tourism, and an Institute of Directors Lifetime Achievement Award.
Bryan Snelling | CEO, Aberdeen Science Centre
Bryan Snelling is CEO of Aberdeen Science Centre and has experience across the visitor attraction, museum, science engagement and education sectors. Previously CEO of The Gordon Highlanders Museum, Aberdeen, he is Chair of the North East Visitor Attraction Forum and a Trustee of the UK Association for Science and Discovery Centres. In 2024, he was appointed Robert Gordon University’s first Honorary Professor for Public Engagement.
Get Rally Scotland Ready!
Colin Clark | Commercial and Events Director at Motorsport UK
Colin Clark is Commercial and Events Director at Motorsport UK, with 30 years’ experience across teams, championships and major motorsport events. His career includes commercial and marketing roles with the Subaru World Rally Team, British Superbikes and MotoGP. He oversees Motorsport UK’s commercial revenues, British championships and delivery of the sporting aspects of the Formula 1 British Grand Prix. Since 2020, Colin has led efforts to return the World Rally Championship to the UK, securing Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire as its host location and helping establish its long-term future.
Rob Wicks | Managing Director
Rob is a senior leader in sports and events, working with rights holders, brands, venues, governing bodies and promoters across 25 countries. Now MD of P&J Live, he is leading an ambitious content diversification strategy. Formerly Commercial Director at Aberdeen FC, he has also held senior roles in motorsport and media, and sits on the boards of the Association of Event Venues and Scottish Tourism Alliance.
Susanne Rasmus | Tourism Director for the City of Jyväskylä* at Visit Jyväskylä Region
Susanne Rasmus is the Tourism Director for the City of Jyväskylä* at Visit Jyväskylä Region, the official destination management organization (DMO) for Central Finland. She has 25 years of experience in tourism development, leadership, communication and marketing in both the private and public sectors. In addition to her current position, Susanne serves as Chair of the Finnish Association of Destination Management Organizations and actively contributes to the development of the tourism industry through several board and advisory roles.
A Happy, Healthy Workforce
Andy Joss | Founder and CEO, Men In Mind
Andy Joss is the Founder and CEO of Men In Mind, a community organisation providing peer-to-peer support for men aged 18 and over across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire.
The purpose of Men In Mind is to give men a safe, supportive space where they can speak openly about their mental health without fear of judgement.
Since launching in March 2024, Men In Mind has grown rapidly and now operates seven groups across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. In that time, the doors to these groups have opened more than 5,000 times, demonstrating the significant need for accessible, community-based mental health support for men.
Inspiring the Next Generation
Jamie Hutcheon | Director, DYW North East
Jamie has over 20 years’s leadership experience across the public, private and third sectors. Before joining DYW North East as Director in 2026, he built a career spanning enterprise, business development, partnership working and service development, including successfully running his own business.
Jamie is strongly committed to strengthening links between industry and education to help young people prepare for the world of work. He is dedicated to working collaboratively to support our region’s skills profile and economic development and is a passionate advocate for the region.
Supporting Visitors with Hidden Disabilities
Phionna McInnes | Chief Executive of We Too!
Phionna McInnes is Chief Executive of We Too!, where she has spent the last decade challenging what inclusion really looks like. She has led accessibility for Tall Ships Aberdeen 2025, Spectra Festival of Light and other major events, helping tourism and event organisations move beyond simply being “accessible” to creating experiences where disabled and neurodivergent visitors feel expected, considered and welcome. Her approach is simple: inform, don’t adapt and build inclusion in from the start
Breakout Session One
Kevin Mitchell | Head of Digital, Mearns & Gill
Kevin Mitchell is Head of Digital at Aberdeen agency Mearns & Gill, with 25+ years’ experience in digital marketing and communications. He has led social, paid and content strategies for brands including Aldi Scotland, Transport Scotland and Hilton Grand Vacations, and now helps clients use audience insight, targeting and integrated digital channels to improve reach, engagement and commercial results.
Breakout Session Two
Rachel Smith, Tourism Business Adviser
Rachel supports the planning and delivery of VisitAberdeenshire's Tourism Development Programme, leading on sustainable tourism and the Travel Trade Ready Programme. With a focus on helping businesses build more inclusive, accessible and sustainable visitor experiences, she has played a key role in the development of VisitAberdeenshire’s Sustainable Tourism Toolkit. With more than 10 years’ experience across accommodation, visitor attractions, tour operators and travel trade partnerships, she brings extensive industry knowledge to support the growth of tourism in Aberdeenshire.
Breakout Session Three
Laura Wilson | Head of Aberdeen Convention Bureau, VisitAberdeenshire
Laura is Head of Aberdeen Convention Bureau, which sits within VisitAberdeenshire. Day-to-day, Laura leads the team responsible for attracting association business events and travel trade business to Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire. The team promote the region as a destination of distinction for those responsible for association business events and travel trade groups. Laura has more than 18 years’ experience within the business events and hospitality industry, and has worked within visitor attractions, catering companies, hotels, professional conference organisers and city convention bureau.
Growth Opportunities
Caroline Millar MBE | Owner, The Hideaway Experience | Sector Lead, Scottish Agritourism
Caroline lives in the county of Angus on the family farm located just north of Dundee. Together with her husband Ross, she runs a mixed livestock and arable farm and The Hideaway Experience, a luxury farm tourism business. Caroline is Scotland’s Agritourism Sector Lead and has played a key role in developing the sector nationally. A Scottish Enterprise Rural Leader, Nuffield Scholar and Chair of the Oxford Farming Conference, she was awarded an MBE in 2026 for services to agritourism and the rural economy.
Rory Archibald | Senior Business Events Manager, VisitScotland
Rory leads the Associations and Sectors team within VisitScotland Business Events, where he works with colleagues and partners to demonstrate the positive societal impact that business events can have on local and global communities. With two decades of experience across the hospitality, tourism, and business events sectors, Rory is passionate about helping the industry realise its full potential. His work focuses on how business events can contribute to more sustainable destinations, stronger communities, and lasting economic and social value.
Stuart Martin | Senior Manager - VisitScotland
Educated at Aberdeen Grammar School and Robert Gordon University, Stuart joined VisitScotland in February 2026 following senior marketing, communications and commercial leadership roles with Scottish Rugby, Ulster Rugby and Scottish Golf. He leads VisitScotland’s strategic approach to golf, working with government, industry, local authorities and international partners to maximise economic, tourism and reputational benefits and strengthen Scotland’s position as the Home of Golf.
Will Clarke | Project Manager, North East Adventure Tourism
Bringing a lifetime of experience in adventure activities, education and sports development combined with his passion for Aberdeenshire Will has been part of the North East Adventure Tourism team since the projects creation working across industry engagement, business case development, marketing projects and infrastructure growth.
Showtime! The role of performing and creative arts in the visitor economy
Andy Kite | Head of Marketing and Communications, Aberdeen Performing Arts
Andy Kite is the Head of Marketing and Communications at Aberdeen Performing Arts, a leading arts charity. As a marketing professional with over twenty five years of experience, he has been working in the cultural sector for 16 of those. He leads a team of eight people with the responsibility of over seeing ticket sales, campaign planning, branding, digital, press and communications for the organisation.
Holly Paterson | Executive Director, Aberdeen Arts Centre
Holly Paterson has built her career leading people, improving services, and bringing energy and commercial focus to complex organisations. Having spent lots of time on stage as a child, she knows first-hand the confidence and sense of belonging the arts can create – although these days she’s very happy to stay behind the scenes! Holly is passionate about supporting Aberdeen’s creative community, providing representation for the people and places that make Aberdeen and the north east of Scotland a vibrant and attractive visitor destination.
Where transport is taking us
Bob Sanguinetti | Chief Executive, Port of Aberdeen
Bob Sanguinetti DL joined Port of Aberdeen as Chief Executive in 2021, bringing an extensive background in the maritime industry. Prior to joining the port, Bob led the UK Chamber of Shipping, where he influenced Government, Parliament and global organisations to champion and protect the UK’s shipping industry. Bob was Chief Executive of the Port of Gibraltar between 2014 – 2018 and has more than 20 years’ experience in the Royal Navy, in sea and land-based roles. He is also Chair of the Prosper North East Regional Committee, is on the Board of Opportunity North East (ONE), is a Deputy Lieutenant of Aberdeenshire and is a Burgess of Guild of the City of Aberdeen.
Robert Paterson | Operations Director, Aberdeen Airport
Robert Paterson is Operations Director at Aberdeen International Airport, where he has worked since 1998 across a range of departments. Born and raised in Aberdeen, he has a deep understanding of the North East's business, tourism and economic landscape. With over 25 years of operational leadership experience, Robert is passionate about developing people, driving operational excellence and championing sustainable growth across the region.
Ewan Tait | Business Development Executive, Scotrail
I have worked in several roles within business, operation, and transport planning. This includes fourteen years of experience within ScotRail. As Business Development Executive, my role has three key facets: The first is to engage with ScotRail’s stakeholders to help us understand future aspirations, while helping them to understand our business; I work with Network Rail on future enhancements, including decarbonisation of the rail network; and I work within ScotRail on business proposals, including new rolling stock, and the Business Plan.
Ker Corbett | Head of Business Development, Scottish Citylink
Ker Corbett is Head of Business Development at Scottish Citylink and megabus, bringing 20 years’ transport experience. His career spans transport planning with Stagecoach, supporting megabus.com’s New York expansion, and leading commercial growth, technology, and connected journeys across Scotland. Ker offers a practical, customer-focused view on making road, rail, sea and air links work together so sustainable public transport is simpler, joined-up and attractive for visitors and local communities alike.
See the full conference programme
From changing visitor behaviour and future markets to skills, accessibility, connectivity and major events, explore the full conference programme and see what’s in store for 4 November.
Join us at the North-east Scotland Tourism Conference
Be part of the conversation shaping the next decade of tourism. Hear from industry leaders, gain fresh insights, connect with colleagues and discover what’s ahead for tourism across the North-east.
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