TMI Convention 19-20 October 2022 

‘REVIVE AND THRIVE’ 

Convention Sponsors

Headline Sponsor 

Simpleview Europe  

Richard Veal, Managing Director 

Richard has been at the forefront of developing digital marketing platforms and services to destinations for over 20 years, initially as New Mind and now as Managing Director of Simpleview Europe. 

One of the differentiating factors behind Simpleview’s success is the significant investment they have made in software development for public sector tourism. Simpleview's Destination Management System was launched in 2001 and is now a mission-critical application used by over 900 destinations world-wide. 

Simpleview provides solutions for destinations of all sizes and budgets. Our clients range from national tourism organisations including Visit Scotland, Visit Norway and Visit Northern Ireland to destination marketing organisations including Visit Bristol and Bath, English Riviera, Visit Brighton, Visit Isle of Man, Visit Isles of Scilly and Visit Manchester to name a few. 

With unparalleled industry experience and a focused and dedicated team, we pride ourselves in offering destination marketing excellence - we have the resources, bandwidth, experience and expertise to help our clients achieve their digital marketing objectives. 

Clockwork Marketing 

Clare Bushby, Managing Director 

Clare has spent her entire working life working in the hospitality industry. In 1992, Clare started Clockwork Marketing to provide marketing support for hospitality businesses, taking away their stress. The business flourished and celebrates 30 years this year; the company has grown to a team of 18 working with hospitality clients throughout the UK. 

The founding pillar for Clare when starting the business was her interest in data systems and the insightful information they held, and how these data insights can create marketing opportunities and boost bookings. 

Tina Woodcock, Gift Voucher Brilliance Manager 

Tina has worked in the hospitality industry for over 30 years and has a wealth of knowledge and practical operational and marketing experience. Tina leads the Gift Voucher Team at Clockwork Marketing and is known fondly within the business and with clients as the Queen of Vouchers. 

Pete Stevens, Head of Marketing 

Pete's experience covers a variety of marketing roles within various service industries, spanning more than 20 years in both client-sided and agency positions. This includes high-end banks, government agencies, local authorities up and down the country, and numerous 4 and 5 star boutique and resort hotels. 

The consistent digital presence growth in both customer reach and online conversions for Clockwork clients reflects Pete's specialised skill set and hard work in website optimisation, UX and analytics. 

Quality International Assessment Services  

Deborah Heather, Chief Executive Officer  

Deborah Heather is Chief Executive Officer of Quality International Assessment Services (QIAS), the parent company of Quality in Tourism (QIT). QIAS works across a broad range of sectors delivering accreditation, assessments, verification with all focused on driving business improvement. QIAS operates a number of outsourced contracts including Further Education verification for the MOD and international government contracts managing tourism registration and quality schemes.  

In the UK QIT operates on a B2B and is the biggest hospitality and tourism accreditation body in the UK with nearly 30,000 property members.  Deborah is an ex-hotelier with over 25 years' experience as an operator and was professionally educated at the General Managers Programme focused on Hospitality Administration/Management from Cornell University. Deborah is newly elected Chair of the Tourism Society and is on the Board of Visit Isle of Man and Trusted Stays.   

     Touch Stay 

Touch Stay digital guidebooks are the brainchild of Andy McNulty and Joe Jones – two serial travellers who kept on encountering the same issue over and over again: an absence of clear communication with their rental accommodation hosts.

After realising that they shared the same frustrations, they vowed to solve the problem together – and in 2014 Touch Stay was born.

Designed to help any type of hospitality professional better communicate with their guests, Touch Stay has gone on to become the highlight of guest reviews worldwide. It’s been cited as a reason for repeat bookings, longer stays and most importantly – happier guests.

The Tees Valley is an area with coast and countryside in abundance, nestled between County Durham and the North York Moors. Made up of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees, these welcoming and vibrant towns are more than the sum of their parts, and united by the mighty River Tees. They have everything from adrenaline-pumping water sports to beautiful, relaxing walking and cycling routes, with a calendar of vibrant internationally renowned festivals. The region has a rich rail and industrial heritage but it’s nonetheless forward-thinking, recently publishing a new Destination Management Plan, which outlines ambitions for the Tees Valley to become an even more thriving, exciting and sustainable visitor destination. 

With thanks to our event sponsors.