The CEO of Black Country Living Museum, Andrew Lovett, has been confirmed as the keynote speaker for this year’s Tourism Society Symposium.

The two-day event, taking place in Birmingham from 6-7 June, features presentations from an array of high-profile figures. It will bring together more than 100 leading tourism professionals debating topics around the theme ‘The Business of Tourism – What are the new drivers for tourism today?”

Lovett – who boasts 20 years’ senior-level experience across the museums, arts, heritage and protected landscape sectors – joins a stellar line-up of leading lights from the fields of cultural and business tourism due to deliver talks at the event.

Confirmed speakers include David Massingham, co-artistic director of International Dance Festival Birmingham 2016; Creative England CEO Caroline Norbury; Hull City of Culture 2017 CEO and director Martin Green; and Anni Hood, CEO of the Wellness Business Consultancy.

“It’s great news that Andrew Lovett has agreed to deliver the keynote speech at the Symposium,” said Hayley Beer-Gamage, chair of the Tourism Society.

“His wealth of experience in various sectors of the tourism industry will set the scene for what promises to be a most informative day of business sessions.”

Day one of the Symposium will showcase Birmingham’s culture, industry and film tourism during a choice of three walking study tours, followed by a networking supper at Birmingham Council House. Meanwhile, day two will move to The Rep, Birmingham Repertory Theatre for a number of speaker sessions exploring the Symposium theme, with case studies and opportunities for networking.

Sessions on wide-ranging topics across the industry will include insight into how customers choose the destination to visit; what makes a successful business destination; and whether festivals drive extra visitors to a destination. The impact of film and television on visitor numbers, plus lessons to be learnt from international angles – highlighting case studies from Namibia and Saudi Arabia – are also on the agenda.

A few tickets for the two-day symposium are still available. For further details, click here.