The SDDA conference is generously supported by
SSDA Conference 2025
Wednesday 19th March 2025
Peebles Hydro
Bringing together an inspiring selection of speakers, all of whom contribute to the South of Scotland’s ambition for responsible tourism. Through themes of inspiring visitors, enhancing the visitor experience, acting responsibly, and supporting businesses, each session highlights real-world initiatives that align with the regions strategic goals.
*Click on the icon(s) below to book
Free Conference Bus
Starting at Stranraer it will pick up at Newton Stewart, Castle Douglas, Dumfries and Moffat and the same on the return trip. You must book to secure a seat
Networking Dinner
Keep the networking going and join us for a fun social dinner, take advantage of the hotel booking offer and stay on for the FAM trip the next day
Familiarisation (FAM) Trip
Always a favourite, the FAM trip is a tour of some of the award-winning Borders businesses, an informative behind-the-scenes peek. Limited spaces so book to secure your seat.
Hotel Booking Code
Level up your conference experience and enjoy a stay at the fabulous Peebles Hydro, take advantage of the leisure facilities and of course the excellent gin school. Stay over and join us for dinner and the popular FAM trip.
Speakers
This years line up of speakers will be showcasing innovative ways to attract visitors year-round while respecting local landscapes and communities as well as effective storytelling of the Scottish Diaspora, with insights demonstrating a commitment to creating meaningful and high-quality visitor experiences.
The breakout sessions will highlight practical steps towards a sustainable and inclusive tourism industry, followed by a panel discussion with industry experts sharing insights to ensure long-term success for local businesses, helping them thrive while staying aligned with responsible tourism principles.
The conference concludes with the inspiring words of Timmy Mallett, whose passion for the South of Scotland embodies the very spirit of responsible tourism—celebrating place, people, and sustainable exploration.
Agenda
The conference starts at 10h00 and finishes at 17h00 (a detailed agenda will be sent to delegates closer to the day)
🌱 Inspire visitors to come to the South of Scotland 🌱 Developing the visitor experience with a focus on quality
🌱 Act responsibly for the long-term collective benefit 🌱 Support business to succeed
Gráinne Cornally
Manager, Ireland's Hidden Heartlands - Fáilte Ireland
Exploring destination positioning to define and communicate regional identities, attracting visitors. Sharing transferable insights on building a year-round tourism experience, extending seasons, and distributing benefits.
Stuart Cordner
Managing Director - Cruise Loch Lomond LTD
The region has a strong travel trade offering, but reaching a tipping point with tour operators requires more effort. This session inspires engagement with the trade, highlighting its value and providing actionable guidance for delegates.
Keith Muir
Chair of the South of Scotland Dark Sky Network
How to engage in preserving the dark skies and supporting recognition of the designations we have, highlighting visitors don’t have to travel far to get to amazing dark skies and the opportunity to extend the season.
Fiona McClellan
Business & Operations Manager - The Scottish Dark Sky Observatory
The potential for businesses to benefit and collaborate with a national flagship visitor attraction in the South of Scotland, supporting a year-round visitor economy and opening new markets
Stuart Cassells
Global Head of Private Client Relationship Management for The Macallan & founder of the Red Hot Chilli Pipers
How we inspire quality and leveraging the north American market, what are the needs of that market, how they get them into the region. What is the transferable learning and top 5 tips for quality.
Nikki Storrar
Manager and Marketing -Ardross Farm Shop
Developing high-quality food experience, showcasing great local food and drink, and selling directly from farm to fork. Getting the local supply chain right and the importance of provenance.
Rich Rowe
Project Manager for Go Tweed Valley
How a local tourism community has been successful in developing a strong year-round brand and product identity and its ambitions for the next 5 years.
Dr John Sadler
Historian, author and founder of The Time Bandits
Where are the opportunities with the Scottish diaspora and how do we tell the story of the region in a more engaging way to attract those high-spending visitors of Scottish Heritage
Russell Fraser
Managing Director - Loch Ness Hub & Travel and SCOTO Chair, Tourism Individual of the year 2024
Highlighting the opportunities of community tourism and how all businesses, communities and enterprises can benefit by collaborating
Hazel Smith
Chair of All Roads Lead to Whithorn
The strength in community and businesses coming together to create high quality products that benefit everyone including those in the visitor economy
Andrea Thompson
CEO - Green Business UK Ltd
The benefits in accreditation and adopting greener practices to protect and enhance our natural capital as a region and increase business. Trends in green travel
Jason Simpson
CEO - RAW Charging
How EV can open new markets, how to adopt chargers and the benefits of destination charging. Enhancing your visitor's experience when in the region
Sally Henry
Vice President of Business Development, Key Data
How we can effectively utilise data, what might be needed but also how it can support decision making. What data do we need and how it can impact our businesses.
Frances Woodifield
Learning and Skills - Strategy and Development Manager
How multi agency collaboration can support a resilient and sustainable industry in a rural area, helping potential workforce entrants recognise that this can be a rewarding and fulfilling career
Cat Leaver
Director of Strategy and Competitive Intelligence, VisitScotland
Strategic insights for a competitive and sustainable tourism industry, how data-driven insights and competitive intelligence can help the region’s visitor economy adapt to market trends, anticipate challenges, and seize opportunities for sustainable growth, ensuring that businesses remain competitive.
Timmy Mallet
Cyclist, Artist and TV Presenter
Inspiring and entertaining with his adventures through the South of Scotland, Timmy will share how slowing down and savouring the region is key to its charm and appeal. Also the importance of storytelling and how connecting with communities delivers an authentic and unique experience to each visitor
If you were with us in 2024 there was great energy in the room and delegates found it was a really useful day full of collaborations and networking .
FREE D&G transport
Networking Dinner
Familiarisation Trip
Venue Details
Peebles Hydro, Innerleithen Rd, Peebles EH45 8LX
Extra parking is available at Edinburgh road car park please be advised it is a 15-minute walk from the venue, please allow time for this. ///firming.narrate.sticks
Public transport is available, the main bus that stops 6 mins from the venue is the Edinburgh to Galashiels bus the X62
The SSDA Conference is generously supported by
