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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.
A Happy, Healthy Workforce
Andy Joss | Founder and CEO, Men In Mind
Andy Joss is the Founder and CEO of Men In Mind, a charity 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.
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.
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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