A Message from Marc Etches

Welcome to our July newsletter.

Last week I was delighted to meet so many businesses at our ‘Working Together for the Games’ conference held at Market Rasen Racecourse on Wednesday 14 July. Thank you to each of you that attended.

Working with Lincolnshire Sports Partnership we were able to bring together businesses from sectors including sports, leisure and tourism to facilitate and identify new networks and opportunities, using the 2012 Games as a catalyst.

(Group image at the event from left to right, Janet Inman Chief Executive of Lincolnshire Sports Partnership, Ruth Hyde East Midlands Tourism, Cllr Doreen Stephenson Lincolnshire 2012 Champion, Claire Lambert East Midlands Tourism, Clive Lawrence-Forbes East Midlands Development Agency and Marc Etches, Interim Chief Executive of Visit Lincolnshire).

I was invited to be a judge for the 2010 East Midlands Renaissance Heritage Awards in June, and attended the awards ceremony at Alford Manor House on Friday 16 July to see St Katherine’s – 900 years of History Heritage and Cultural Centre in Lincoln win Museum of the Year. A result of all Lincolnshire's winner can be read on the Lincolnshire Heritage Forum website.

Congratulations to all businesses who took part in the awards.

By taking part in the judging process I saw at firsthand a selection of outstanding heritage venues across the county which makes a significant and much valued contribution to our cultural offering.

Staying on the topics of awards, I would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate the six businesses who have been shortlisted in the East Midlands EnjoyEngland Excellence Awards 2010.

As the difficult economic climate continues it will bring many new challenges. And as you’ve just read, during this month alone we’ve had great county success with heritage awards, sport tourism opportunities and shortlisted businesses in the East Midlands EnjoyEngland Excellence Awards. I am confident that by working more effectively together across the varied sectors we can meet the challenges and grow our visitor economy.

On a personal note I have accepted the Board of Directors invitation to continue working as Interim Chief Executive for Visit Lincolnshire until March 2011.

I wish you all a successful summer season, and look forward to seeing you at our AGM in October.

Marc Etches,
Interim Chief Executive, Visit Lincolnshire