Events and Training

2023 Industry Training Calendar

Below you will find details of all Visit County Durham training opportunities.

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Make the most of VCD Partnership

Make the most of VCD Partnership

15 February 2023 10:00am-1:00pm Venue: Bishop Auckland Town Hall Find out what makes a great enhanced entry, using the extranet, online booking, social media, partner communications, networking, marketing campaigns and press & pr.

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Product Knowledge

Product Knowledge

22 March 2023 Hardwick Hall Visit County Durham's Product Knowledge event is your chance to hear from the county's top attractions and events and meet local suppliers.

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Online TrainingDetails
Dark Sky Tourism Business Development
Richard Darn - Presentation
Shane Harris - Presentation
Presentations from an information sharing session, covering advice about dark skies in our area and why they are so important, why visitors should choose this area, business case studies, marketing tips and how to make your business dark sky friendly.
Astro-Tourism Business Support
Richard Darn Presentation
Shane Harris Presentation
Lucy Wearne Presentation
Richard Darn presentation discusses why stargazing is good for the visitor economy and how to get involved.
Shane Harris presentation discusses the North Pennines Stargazing Festival.
Lucy Wearne presentation informs you on how to become a Dark Sky Friendly business.
Photography and Video
Part 1 – Photography and Video Composition
Part 2 – Camera and Phone Settings
Part 3 – Taking Basic Photographs and Video
Arty Inc takes you through the basics of taking photography and video to help promote your business.
Google MyBusiness/Facebook
1. Google MyBusiness Tutorial
2. Google MyBusiness Verification Process
3. Creating a Facebook Business Page

4. Design Graphics
Arty Inc takes you through the steps to promote your business through Google MyBusiness and Facebook.
Lucy Wearne – Energy Efficiency in Visitor Economy Recovery 
Caroline Hearne – Business Energy Efficiency Project  
As the visitor economy follows the roadmap out of Covid, business recovery is the focus of everyone’s attention. As part of recovery planning you may wish to find more out about how you can include energy efficiency as a way to reduce  ongoing bills.
The Business Energy Efficiency Project (BEEP) at Durham County Council provides fully funded (free to the business) on site energy audits of premises and a written report outlining the steps recommended cutting energy usage. These can range from behavioural change through to suggestions to replace existing equipment with more energy efficient models which, while needing a capital investment, will pay back with savings over time. BEEP also have a small grant pot where a percentage of the cost of works carried out can be provided in the form of a grant. 
Social Media to Benefit Your BusinessHow you can work with us to improve your own social media content.
Richard Darn – An insight into why star gazing is popular
Alison Lamb – A case study of Doe Park Caravan site who have the Dark Sky Friendly Durham accreditation talk about why star gazing has benefited their business.
Richard Darn. – Talks about how to get Dark Sky Friendly ready with your business.
Gary Lintern – Provides a virtual visit and insight into Durham’s dark skies and what you can see for yourself.
North Pennines Star Gazing Festival - Shane gives an overview of the North Pennines Star Gazing festival.
Astro Tourism Business Support
As astro tourism becomes more popular with visitors to the county, make sure your business s able to adapt and take full advantage of this opportunity.
The presentations here will help give an insight into why Durham is popular for star gazing, the impact it can have on your business and how to get involved.
Online Booking: Now is the timePresentation explaining why businesses should be looking at using an online booking system
Star Gazing and Durham’s Dark SkiesHow to make the most of the Stargazing and Durham Dark Skies target market.
Walking and Cycling
How to make the most of the Walking and Cycling target markets.
Key Consumer Trends for 2021Visit County Durham engaged consumer insights agency Foresight Factory to deliver a webinar on key emerging consumer trends for 2021 that businesses should look to take advantage of this year.
For more information on any of the Visit County Durham events and training opportunities listed above, please call 03000 261 220 or email partners@visitcountydurham.org