A globally renowned expert on top-notch customer service will be heading to Lakes College this October as part of an inspirational line-up to help local businesses overcome staffing challenges and drum up new repeat business.  


Geoff Ramm has worked with everyone from small business owners to big brands across 50 countries to help them stand out from the competition by delivering amazing experiences.

He has even been described by legendary US business magazine Forbes as “a game changer”.
The inspirational speaker will be headlining a free event called ‘Embracing Excellence in the Visitor Economy’ packed full of talks and practical workshops on Wednesday, October 16 at Lakes College in Workington. 
With industries including retail, hospitality and tourism facing significant challenges around rising costs and recruitment, the aim is to give local operators practical support and advice they can use in their everyday business. 
Geoff said: “There are no charts, graphs or stats. This is about real-life stories and what inspires you most. You’ll walk away with ideas in your pockets, which everyone can use the very next day to deliver a great service – a ‘celebrity’ service.”
Other speakers will include a top national travel writer, focusing on how to work with journalists.

VisitEngland will talk about capturing new markets through group travel/travel trade and there will be a special workshop about promoting more inclusive travel experiences to maximise the so-called ‘Purple Pound’.

A series of newly-created itineraries to help businesses target visitors, travel trade and media will also be launched.
On the recruitment front, there will be sessions with People First, Growing Well and the New Futures Network (prison and probation service) highlighting practical ways not only to retain existing staff, but to identify and support new workers into hospitality roles.

Meanwhile, Realise HR will provide handy tips and advice about supporting a more inclusive workforce.  
The event is also a chance for local food and drink businesses to showcase their produce, with catering and hospitality students from Lakes College providing a complimentary lunch and sweet treats using local recipes like Borrowdale Tea Bread and Cumberland Rum Nicky. 
Free to businesses based in the Cumberland Council area, ‘Embracing Excellence in the Visitor Economy’ is being supported through the UK government’s Shared Prosperity Funding, which aims to improve pride in place and increase life chances across the UK. 
All of the sessions link to projects being delivered by Cumbria Tourism on behalf of Cumberland Council between now and January 2025 and there will be plenty of opportunities for businesses to find out how they can benefit from upcoming activity. 
Cumberland-based businesses can book free tickets for the event at: www.cumbriatourism.org/upcoming-events/