Date/Time
Wednesday, 28 June 2017
9:30 am - 4:00 pm
Location
Details
Using North Wales as a case study, this conference will examine changing trends in adventure based recreation and what this means for wider recreation management in the UK. Rates of participation, reductions in public funding, changes to the way that visitors consume adventure and the proliferation of adventure based attractions have all had an influence on the sector. This event will help those who are currently providing or managing adventure based recreation consider these changes, and how the sector can best adapt to benefit from them.
Venue: Plas Menai, National Outdoor Centre, Caernarfon, Gwynedd, LL55 1UE.
Having the magnificent Snowdonia mountain range as a backdrop and the Menai Strait as the outlook.
In the morning four speakers will present their perspective on the changes they have seen to adventure based activity in recent year, followed by a panel discussion with the ORN chair Terry Robinson.
Introduction by Terry Robinson, Chair ORN (Download presentation here)
Jackie Bryson –CEO of Plas y Brenin, the National Centre for Mountain Sports. (Download presentation here)
Plas y Brenin is a world renowned centre of excellence for adventure activities, which is currently managed under contract on behalf of Sport England by the educational charity, Mountain Training Trust. A key role of Plas y Brenin is to provide a range of sport development services which includes supporting adventure sport national governing bodies. Jackie will discuss the Trust’s approach to preparing for their long term sustainability given the increasingly challenging financial environment.
Sean Taylor – Director and Co-Owner of ZipWorld (Download presentation here)
ZipWorld manages a series of award winning adventure attractions, including the worlds fastest zip line and the world’s first subterranean playground. Sean will discuss the development of these products, the audience for them and what he thinks the future holds.
Helen Pye – Partnerships Manager for Snowdonia National Park (Download presentation here)
As the busiest national park in Wales, Snowdonia has a long tradition of being a hub for adventure activities. Helen will discuss the challenges this status presents and the national parks plans to manage them.
Tracey Evans – CEO of the Outdoor Partnership (Download presentation here)
Established in 2004, the Outdoor Partnership is a charity with the primary aim of exploring ways of widening access to outdoor recreation by local people in the region. Tracey will talk about the use of adventures activities a tool for increasing participation.
We will take lunch at Plas Menai National Outdoor Centre
In the afternoon we will follow the ideas of the morning with a visit by coach to Zip World Velocity at Penrhyn Quarry, Bethesda, the fastest zip line in the world and the longest in Europe,”the nearest thing to flying”.
This adventure offers to provide stunning views from the Big Top of Velocity, out towards Anglesey with views of the Isle of Man on a clear day! You will then descend down the Big Zipper over the quarry lake often reaching speeds well in excess of 100mph.
Zip World Adventure Terminal is close to completion. It will include a state of the art restaurant, viewing area, shop and conference room. The construction provides work to local firms and tradesmen and will employ even more locals when it opens in summer 2017.
Brief Programme
9.30 Networking
10am Presentations
11am Tea break
11.30am Presentations
12.30 Panel discussion
1.00pm Lunch
2.00 pm Depart by coach to Zip World
3.30 pm return to Plas Menai
4.00pm Depart.