Meet In Wales is capitalising on Creative Wales’ support to the creative sector through its Sector Strategy, showcasing the destination’s national ambassador program, one of few countrywide initiatives of its type, and the significance of conference ambassadors in the creative sector. Equally, the destination is using the campaign to highlight the unique settings and landscapes that business event organisers can make the most of while in Wales.
The campaign showcases Wales' national conference Ambassadors for business events and their role as spokespeople for Wales’s bustling creative industry, from advertising and media, to broadcast production, e-sports and gaming. The destination has recently confirmed John Jackson, CEO, esports Wales, Adam Amor, Founder of content and media production agency Buffoon Media, Richard Hebblewhite, Senior Lecturer in Computing at Wrexham University, in addition to Nathan Abrams professor in film and Dewi Gregory film producer to represent the best of Wales’s creative industries.
Supported by Creative Wales, HBO, the network behind the series has now released the much- anticipated second season of House of the Dragon, using North Wales as a key location and underlining the destination’s natural landscapes, its affinity with storytelling, and its strong links to the wider international creative and media industries.
Feedback from the producers, directors, production designers and actors behind HBO’s global TV sensation Game of Thrones’, prequel - House of the Dragon,also highlight the destination's strengths for business events.
The filming in Wales has supported the local economy with over 250 local people employed to work as crew members, the campaign also hears from Executive Producers, Directors, Production Designers, and Screenwriters including, Loni Peristere (Executive Producer / Director), Alan Taylor (Executive Producer / Director), Geeta Vasant Patel (Co-Executive Producer / Director), Jim Clay (Production Designer), and Ryan Condal (Executive Producer / Showrunner / Writer), all of whom bring to life how the natural landscapes of Wales contributed to the final production of the show.
Speaking at the time of production Kevin de la Noy, Executive producer HBO House of Dragons said
Kevin de la Noy, Executive producer HBO House of DragonsIt was great to be shooting in Wales with its stunning scenery and landscapes that bring to life our Westeros. I had no hesitation in taking House of the Dragon there, as we knew the support from Government and the local populous would help us achieve remarkable footage, and we were blessed with the most glorious weather too. Thank you, Wales”
Meet In Wales, alongside its partner SFA Connect, has created an extensive programme of engagement with its ambassadors, academics and destinations that includes; educational sessions and toolkits for universities and destinations on bidding, online sessions for ambassadors on subjects such as New Intent and DEI in events, the role of PCOs and face-to-face meet-ups that ensure both academics and university teams are aligned in their approach. The team has also produced dedicated collateral to support ambassadors and help them to better understand their influence in attracting events to a destination.
