THE NATIONAL ATTRACTIONS MARKETING CONFERENCE 2026
ONLINE ON 03-JUN-2026
Conference Keynote
Wed, Jun 3, 2026 09:40 AM – 10:00 AM BST
Bernard Donoghue OBE, one of the most authoritative and well spoken voices in the UK visitor economy, opens our conference with an unmissable sector-wide perspective. As Director of ALVA — whose over 300 members collectively welcome over 157 million visits annually— Bernard brings unrivalled insight into the trends, pressures and opportunities shaping attractions right now, from shifting visitor behaviours in a cost-of-living era to the fragile but resilient recovery still unfolding post-pandemic. Backed by fresh public sentiment data, his keynote will set the context for everything that follows — and if Bernard’s track record is anything to go by, he won’t shy away from telling it like it is.
Bernard Donoghue
CEO
Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
A creative, successful communicator, policy analyst, lobbyist and strategist now working at national CEO level representing the UK’s most iconic and important cultural, heritage, artistic and tourism organisations.
Over 35 years board experience (chair, director and trustee) of some of the UK’s best known and well regarded NGO’s; senior executive experience across a range of organisations including central government, government agencies, EU and UN political institutions and charities. My passions are culture, theatre, museums and galleries, heritage, conservation and nature, social justice and anti-discrimination, the power of culture and tourism to transform lives and economies, philanthropy and art.
In 2020 and 2021 I was named by Blooloop as one of the world’s 50 most influential people in museums, and in July 2021 won the public vote for the COVID Special Recognition Award from the UK Museums and Heritage Awards for his service to, and leadership of the museums and heritage sector in the UK during the pandemic. I was awarded an OBE in the 2022 Birthday Honours for “services to tourism and to culture”.
Key areas of experience: communications, a sought-after and highly-rated public speaker, board governance, leadership skills, fundraising, strategy, stakeholder management, marketing, lobbying and public affairs.
Awarded the OBE in HM The Queen’s Platinum Jubilee Birthday Honours for ‘services to tourism and to culture”. June 2022.
Join the mailing list
To receive more information about our events which include The National Hotel Marketing, Spa, Wedding Venue and Restaurant Marketing Conferences and keep up-to-date with the latest news, simply fill in the form provided and join our mailing list. We promise not to bombard you with emails, and will never rent, sell or share your details with any third parties. By joining you have opted in to receive this information.
Organised by:
