Southwark Attractions Meeting
I attended the Southwark attractions meeting which was held in the new Unicorn Theatre in Southwark. Amazing how much it has changed since the last time I attended one of these meetings ( 5 years ago?). Amazing how the area has changed in that time too - it is now becoming a major 21st Century centre.
(new Hilton Hotel)
Much more energy, much more public sector involvement - Southwark Council, London Development Agency, Visit Britain, Pool of London etc. Attended by Clink, HMS Belfast, London Dungeon, Tower, Old Operating Theatre Museum, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Bankside Gallery, surprised others not there (Globe, Tate etc.)
We discussed a loyalty card for Southwark, and Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance's scheme (VAQAS) which hopes to improve customer care standards. I mentioned that Museums have the Accreditation scheme so we don't want to do both? and £350 may be peanuts to the large organisations but not to the Old Operating Theatre Museum. Tour de France coming to London 4,000 hotel beds needed just for the entourage!
TIC closing in Autumn discussion of idea of having 'stewards'/'ambassadors rather than a fixed TIC until a new one built near Tate. I suggest stewards with carts under cover at Boro Market, Hays, Galleria, under bridge, at Station etc. but many other ideas introduced.
New concepts were introduced to me : Brand Mapping - find out how people think of your 'brand'. 'Data Steward' - I guess to be distinquised from the 'Web Mistress' the former looking after the data the latter looking after the look and feel? Could we have an Image Chamberlaine? Marketing Vizier? VFR - visitors, friends and relatives - marketing to encourage people to invite them to stay and enjoy London.
Thoughts - Useful networking and we must join visit london if only to take advantage of prizes!
(new Hilton Hotel)Much more energy, much more public sector involvement - Southwark Council, London Development Agency, Visit Britain, Pool of London etc. Attended by Clink, HMS Belfast, London Dungeon, Tower, Old Operating Theatre Museum, Dulwich Picture Gallery, Bankside Gallery, surprised others not there (Globe, Tate etc.)
We discussed a loyalty card for Southwark, and Visitor Attraction Quality Assurance's scheme (VAQAS) which hopes to improve customer care standards. I mentioned that Museums have the Accreditation scheme so we don't want to do both? and £350 may be peanuts to the large organisations but not to the Old Operating Theatre Museum. Tour de France coming to London 4,000 hotel beds needed just for the entourage!
TIC closing in Autumn discussion of idea of having 'stewards'/'ambassadors rather than a fixed TIC until a new one built near Tate. I suggest stewards with carts under cover at Boro Market, Hays, Galleria, under bridge, at Station etc. but many other ideas introduced.
New concepts were introduced to me : Brand Mapping - find out how people think of your 'brand'. 'Data Steward' - I guess to be distinquised from the 'Web Mistress' the former looking after the data the latter looking after the look and feel? Could we have an Image Chamberlaine? Marketing Vizier? VFR - visitors, friends and relatives - marketing to encourage people to invite them to stay and enjoy London.
Thoughts - Useful networking and we must join visit london if only to take advantage of prizes!
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