Next month’s UKInbound Convention will be one of the most important conferences for the in bound travel sector in well over a decade -according to the organisation’s Chief Executive Mary Rance.

The Convention, which takes place at the Alton Towers Resort, 9th - 11th February, will see over 200 captains of the UK in bound and domestic sector gather to discuss an array of issues ranging from airport capacity and UK transport infrastructure to Airport Passenger Duty (APD), the Olympics, security and the outlook for 2012 and beyond.

Speakers confirmed include BAA’s Chief Executive Colin Matthews -speaking to the industry for the first time since the Heathrow and Edinburgh Airports winter snow debacle of December 2010.

Also on the main stage at the Convention will be British Airways General Manager for Regulatory and Public Affairs, Jim Forster; Charlotte Taylor, Programme Manager, UK Border Agency and Glen Earlam, managing director, Midway Attractions.

The Convention will also feature business sessions involving Karen Webb of the Olympic Park Legacy Company talking on the legacy for the industry following the Olympics in 2012.  Also speaking will be Nigel Beard, Accommodation Manager, London Organising Committee Olympic Games (LOCOG) on the accommodation issues facing the industry for next year.

The Convention also features a range of practical business orientated workshops on branding, business development and personal development.

Commenting on the Convention, Mary Rance, Chief Executive UKInbound said:  “With a Royal Wedding this year and the Olympics next year the UKInbound Convention is taking place at a pivotal moment in the industry’s history. With all the pressures facing the sector, be it APD, transport infrastructure, next year’s Olympics and the economic backdrop next month’s convention is a must attend event for all the industry and is, without doubt, the most important convention we have had in over a decade.”

She continued: “we want the Convention to be as interactive as possible - from audience involvement with speakers on the main stage and in the business sessions to the networking. It’s vital that we all get as much out of the convention”.