Venture North Byte 2015 - One Day Conference - digital communication and social media marketing

23rd April 2015

Scotland's Year of Food and Drink sets the context for one-day conference on blogs and social media marketing at Thurso's Pentland Hotel.

Final preparations are set for ‘the venture north byte 2015: food, photography, and the blogosphere,' a one-day conference on how to use digital communication and social media marketing at the Pentland Hotel in Thurso on Sunday, 26 April.

In its inaugural year, the conference is part of educational initiative by Venture North, a tourism co-operative comprising local businesses and people interested in promoting tourism in Caithness and Sutherland. By encouraging businesses and individuals alike to explore the benefits of an on-line presence, the group hopes to ultimately increase general awareness of the North and all the area has to offer its visitors.

In addition to discussions on the secrets of mapping out a social media strategy and the do's and don'ts of setting up a blog, the conference will offer a forum for participants to learn how brands and businesses work with bloggers to the mutual satisfaction of both by using Scotland's food and drink sector as an example.

Kimberley Loomes, The Blue Door Coffee Shop & Diner, also founder and member of Venture North, whose passion for the subject has driven the conference said ‘ we wanted to highlight the Year of Food and Drink and a one-day conference tailoring our food and drink sectors to the technology platforms currently available was ideal. We want to include existing businesses, encourage people into business and the general public to come along and learn more about these exciting tools’

The day’s expert line-up includes Claire Jessiman, food blogger at foodiequine.co.uk. She will share her 'insider knowledge' of the food blogging community and how her life-long passion for food has become a multi-faceted career including cooking demonstrations, recipe development, social media, communications, and PR to name a few.  The Aberdeen-based mum-of-two began her blog in 2012 taking the name from the Scottish Doric dialect (Quine - quean: a young woman, girl or daughter. A female person from Aberdeen/shire). Claire is a frequent contributor to BBC Radio Scotland’s The Kitchen Cafe.

Also lending his expertise to the day is Steve Keenan, co-founder of travelperspective.co.uk, credited as being the first national travel journalist to make the transition from print to online. He worked as deputy travel editor of The Times before serving as launch travel editor for the timesonline.co.uk for five years which then saw him launch the online travel section for the Sunday Times. Keenan is passionate about the possibilities of new media and is expert at digital marketing strategies.

Ellie Lamont, Chair of Venture North, commented ‘we are delighted to bring these experts to Thurso, most businesses in our area are expected to travel to access this kind of knowledge. Not only will we learn how to effectively promote the produce from the north and our fantastic counties, bringing more visitors here. I am sure Claire and Steve will become as enthusiastic about Caithness and Sutherland as we are and help spread the message’

The ticket price is £20.00 and includes breakfast provided by Annie’s Bakery, lunch by Cairn Hill Agriculture in association with The Blue Door Coffee Shop & Diner, and all conference sessions. Coffee and tea will also be provided. Tickets are available only at Eventbrite.co.uk

The Venture North Food Byte has been supported by NDA, the Highland Council and private funders.
For more information, visit the Venture North Facebook page at facebook.com/venturenorthscotland. Or check out the Venture North website at venture-north.co.uk