Paul Marden heads to the AVEA conference in front of a LIVE audience to find out why gift shops are such an important part of the attraction mix. 

Joining him is Jennifer Kennedy, Retail Consultant, JK Consulting and Michael Dolan, MD of Shamrock Gift Company. They discuss why your gift shop is an integral part of your brand and why it needs to be just as good as the experience you have on offer. 

This coinsides with the launch of our brand new playbook: ‘The Retail Ready Guide To Going Beyond The Gift Shop’, where you can find out exactly how to improve your online offering to take your ecommerce to the next level. 

Download your FREE copy here:  https://pages.crowdconvert.co.uk/skip-the-queue-playbook

But that's not all. Paul walks the conference floor and speaks to:

• Susanne Reid, CEO of Christchurch Cathedral Dublin, on how they are celebrating their millennium anniversary - 1000 years!
• Charles Coyle, Managing Director, Emerald Park, on how they are bringing AI integrations to enhance their booking processes
• Ray Dempsey, General Manager of The Old Jamerson Distillery on how they offering more accessible touring options

It's a mega episode and one you'll not want to miss. 

Skip the Queue is brought to you by Rubber Cheese, a digital agency that builds remarkable systems and websites for attractions that helps them increase their visitor numbers. Your host is Paul Marden.

If you like what you hear, you can subscribe on iTunes, Spotify, and all the usual channels by searching Skip the Queue or visit our website SkiptheQueue.fm.

If you've enjoyed this podcast, please leave us a five star review, it really helps others find us. And remember to follow us on LinkedIn.

Show references: 

Jennifer Kennedy — Founder, JK Consulting

• https://jkconsultingnyc.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/jennifer-kennedy-aba75712/

Michael Dolan — Managing Director, Shamrock Gift Company

• https://www.shamrockgiftcompany.com/

Catherine Toolan — Managing Director, Guinness Storehouse & Global Head of Brand Homes, Diageo

• http://diageo.com
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/catherinetoolan/

Máirín Walsh — Operations Manager, Waterford Museum

• https://www.waterfordtreasures.com/

Dean Kelly — Photography & Visitor Experience Specialist 

• https://www.wearephotoexperience.com/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/dean-kelly-1259a316/

Charles Coyle — Managing Director, Emerald Park

• https://www.emeraldpark.ie

Susanne Reid — CEO, Christ Church Cathedral Dublin

• http://www.christchurchcathedral.ie
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/susannereid/

Ray Dempsey — General Manager, Jameson Distillery

• https://www.jamesonwhiskey.com/en-ie/visit-our-distilleries/jameson-bow-street-distillery-tour/
• https://www.linkedin.com/in/ray-dempsey-37a8665a/

The 2025 Visitor Attraction Website Survey is now LIVE! 

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Take the Rubber Cheese Visitor Attraction Website Survey Report