Final countdown in progress for the ATA World Congress in Kampala

THE AFRICA TRAVEL ASSOCIATION PRESENTS PROGRAMME FOR THE KAMPALA CONGRESS

(Posted 05th November 2014)

With just days to go now until the 11th of November, when the Africa Travel Association’s annual world congress kicks off at the lakeside resort and conference centre of Munyonyo, has the preliminary programme of events and speakers now been released.

A wide range of topics will be covered by the congress and notably does the programme suggest that tourism ministers from Kenya and Tanzania will also be present at the event, as will tourism delegations from Rwanda and Burundi, completing the lineup from the East African Community member states.

The main agenda goes underway on Wednesday the 12th of November and the packed programme then runs to the evening of Friday the 14th of November before the host country will take delegates places on both Saturday the 15th and Sunday the 16th at the end of which the congress officially ends. The full programme outline is shown below and additional information is available from the ATA website and Facebook page which can be accessed via www.africatravelassociation.org and https://www.facebook.com/AfricaTravelAssociation?fref=nf

Tuesday, November 11

TBA

Culinary Tourism CollaborativeChef Pierre ThiamTourism & Media Training Forum

3:00pm

Registration Open

6:00pm

Pre-Congress Welcome ReceptionHon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba • Hon. Walter Mzembi • Charlie Gatt

Wednesday, November 12

TBA

Uganda MarketplaceCulinary Tourism CollaborativeChef Pierre Thiam

8:00am

Registration Open

9:00am

ATA International Board of Directors Meeting (Closed Door Meeting)Edward Bergman • Hon. Walter Mzembi

10:00am

Speed Networking / Ice-Breaker (Organized by Uganda)

11:00am

Opening Ceremony: Focus on Destination Uganda, The Pearl of AfricaEdward Bergman • Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba • Hon. Walter Mzembi • Stephen Asiimwe • Babra Adoso-Vanhelleputte • Kelley MacTavish • H.E Ambassador Amina Salum Ali • Rev. Nicholas S. Richards • Sebastiaan Spijkers • President of the Republic of Uganda H. E. Yoweri K. Museveni

1:00pm

Lunch Hosted by the Kenya Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce & Tourism & Magical KenyaHon. Phyllis Kandie • Kenya Ministry of East African Affairs, Commerce and Tourism • Magical Kenya

2:30pm

Tourism Ministers Round Table: Focus on MediaPeter Greenberg • Hon. Dr. Maria Mutagamba • Hon. Walter Mzembi • Hon. Phyllis Kandie • Hon. Lazaro S. Nyalandu

4:00pm

What’s Happening with Africa Tourism Right Now: 2014 Africa Tourism Monitor LaunchEddie Mandhry • Beejaye Kokil

4:30pm

ATA Annual General Membership Meeting and Elections (Open Meeting)Doris Wooten • Edward Bergman • Hon. Walter Mzembi

8:00pm

Opening Gala Dinner (Organized by Uganda)

Thursday, November 13

TBA

Uganda MarketplaceCulinary Tourism CollaborativeChef Pierre Thiam

8:30am

Registration Open

9:00am

Opening Keynote with Peter Greenberg, Travel Editor, CBS NewsPeter Greenberg

9:30am

ATA Special Event AnnouncementEdward Bergman • Myrna May White • Cynthia Lynn Blandford

9:45am

Global Tourism Trends & OutlookCaroline Bremner

10:10am

Marketing African DestinationsStephen Asiimwe • Karen Hoffman • Leslee Hall • Rose-Marie Hoareau • Muriithi Ndegwa

11:00am

Accelerating Destinations: Building Brands through Social Media & Content MarketingRoni Weiss • Ethan Gelber

11:30am

Spotlight on Digital, Social & Experience Marketing in AfricaDamian Cook

11:45am

Spotlight on Romance Travel in AfricaAdele Black

12:00pm

Spotlight on Faith-based TravelRev. Nicholas S. Richards

12:30pm

Lunch

2:00pm

Bearing Witness to Tragedy (Marketing & Branding Breakout)Eliseo NeumanSports & Mega Events Tourism (Product Development Breakout)Robert Boland

2:40pm

Bounce Back Even Stronger: PR & Crisis Management Tools (Marketing & Branding Breakout)Jeff ChattertonTourism Cares: Travel for Good (Product Development Breakout)Caroline Bremner • Louis D’Amore

3:20pm

Tech for Travel (Marketing & Branding Breakout)Raymond B. MatovuTourism Cares: Empowering Communities (Product Development Breakout)Thomas Armitt

4:00pm

The Power of Storytelling (Marketing & Branding Breakout)Francis TaponTourism Cares: Nature & Wildlife Protection (Product Development Breakout)Uganda Wildlife Authority

4:40pm

Accelerating Destinations: Social Media and Content Marketing WorkshopRoni Weiss • Ethan GelberFocus on Family Travel (Product Development Breakout)Rainer Jenss

5:00pm

Tour Operators RoundtableBabra Adoso-Vanhelleputte • Michael Madison • Kelley MacTavish • Amos Wekesa • Doris Wooten

8:00pm

Uganda Patron’s Dinner & ATA Awards CeremonyFirst Lady of the Republic of Uganda Hon. Janet K. Museveni

Friday, November 14

TBA

Kampala International Tourism ExpoUganda MarketplaceCulinary Tourism CollaborativeChef Pierre Thiam

8:30am

Registration Open

9:00am

Tourism Investment Forum KeynoteEng. Dr. Ajedra Gabriel Gadison Aridru, MP

9:15am

Presentation on Tourism Investment Climate in AfricaEng. Dr. Frank B. Sebbowa

9:30am

Spotlight on Tourism FacilitationH.E Ambassador Amina Salum Ali • Estherine Lisinge-Fotabong • Barbara Keating

10:15am

Effects of Ebola on West Africa TourismThomas Armitt • Cynthia Lynn Blandford

10:30am

Africa Hotel Development, Expansion & MarketingMaya Kulycky • Estelle Verdier • Trevor Ward • Rosemary Mugambi • Martha Namundjebo-Tilahun

11:30am

Africa Air Access: Opportunities & ChallengesSally Osure • Jimmy Eichelgruen • Sebastiaan Spijkers • Aaron Munetsi • Abebe Angessa

12:20pm

African Culinary Experience PresentationChef Pierre Thiam

12:30pm

African Culinary Experience LuncheonChef Pierre Thiam

2:00pm

Educators ForumRobert Boland • Regina Leichner • Melissa Howell • Catherine DeLeo • Eddie Mandhry • Dr. Kenneth S. Ombongi, OGWTourism: A Gateway to Growth & InvestmentEng. Dr. Frank B. Sebbowa • Amos Wekesa • Uganda Wildlife Authority • James Tumusiime

3:30pm

ATA Young Professionals Program Forum

4:30pm

Tourism Investment Forum B2B Meetings

8:00pm

Uganda Culture Night @ Ndere Cultural Center

Saturday, November 15

TBA

Kampala International Tourism ExpoHost Country Day, Part I (Full Day)Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities • Uganda Tourism Board

Sunday, November 16

TBA

Kampala International Tourism ExpoHost Country Day, Part 2 (Optional)Uganda Ministry of Tourism, Wildlife and Antiquities • Uganda Tourism Board