Regional leaders from across the Coventry and Warwickshire tourism, hospitality and leisure sectors have been appointed to lead a trio of major associations for the region’s visitor economy.
Destination management organisation Destination Coventry has launched a series of new associations to support businesses in the sector.
The associations sit under the leisure brand Visit Coventry and business tourism vehicle Coventry & Warwickshire Convention Bureau, including Coventry & Warwickshire MICE Venues Association, Coventry & Warwickshire General Managers Hotel & Accommodation Association and Coventry Product and Promotion.
The Coventry & Warwickshire MICE Venues Association has been launched to support venue sales, marketing and business development professionals across the region.
It will be chaired by Chris Hartley of Hartley Consulting & Events, with Lowri Croydon, Head of Commercial and Business Development at NAEC Stoneleigh, as Vice Chair.
Chris has more than 30 years’ experience in the events and venue sector, with a background in business planning, sales and business development, and building long-term partnerships across the industry.
Lowri brings over a decade of experience in the events sector, including nine years at NAEC Stoneleigh, where she leads on commercial strategy and business development.
Chris Hartley said: “There is a strong appetite for venues to collaborate across many areas including FAM trips, industry events, and shared best practice and to work together to showcase the region as a leading events destination.
“I’m delighted to Chair the association and look forward to helping our venues to work together to drive business tourism growth across Coventry and Warwickshire.”
The Coventry & Warwickshire General Managers Hotel & Accommodation Association brings together general managers from across the region to share best practice, discuss challenges and support collaborative working to strengthen business performance.
It will be chaired by Faris Thowfeek, General Manager of ibis Coventry Centre, part of the Accor Group and managed by Hetherley Capital Partners.
Faris has more than 20 years’ experience in the hospitality industry, working with international hotel brands in a range of operational and commercial roles.
Faris said: “Through this role, I hope to bring the hotel community closer together, encourage knowledge sharing and work alongside our partners to further position Coventry and Warwickshire as a strong destination for both business and leisure travellers.
“The region has huge potential, and I look forward to working with colleagues across the sector to help unlock more opportunities for our hotels and the wider visitor economy.”
The Product and Promotion Group, which has been running for five years, brings together venues, attractions and stakeholders from across Coventry to share insights, align activity and support a more coordinated approach to promoting the city.
It will be chaired by Emma Kavanagh, co-owner of Piece of Cake Marketing, with Ray Clenshaw, Head of Communications at the Belgrade Theatre, as Vice Chair.
Emma is a marketing consultant specialising in strategy and project management and works with a range of clients to deliver campaigns and commercial results.
She said: “As a proud Coventrian, I’m passionate about how we showcase everything the city has to offer.
“The Product and Promotion Group has always played an important role in bringing venues and attractions together and this refreshed approach gives us a real opportunity to build on that.”
Paul McMahon, Managing Director of Destination Coventry, added: “Strengthening collaboration is crucial to accelerating growth across our visitor economy and these associations are at the heart of the strategy.
“They will support businesses to work more closely together, share insight and develop a more joined-up offer for Coventry and Warwickshire.
“Chris, Lowri, Faris, Emma and Ray bring strong experience from across the sector and will play an important role in supporting the development of these groups.”