Experience On Main Street Conference: Transforming Spaces and Places

Join us at the Experience on Main Street Conference on 8 – 9 July 2025 in Manchester, where we delve into the transformation of spaces and places into vibrant experience led destinations.

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The Speakers

We’re currently curating an exciting lineup of speakers for the 2025 Experience on Main Street Conference, bringing together thought leaders, innovators, and changemakers from across the experience economy. While this year’s speakers are still under wraps, last year’s programme offers a taste of what’s to come – featuring standout names such as Richard Parry, Head of Creative Services at the Department for Business and Trade; Nick Searl, Executive Director of Related Argent; and Stephen Mayhew, Chief Business Officer at The Francis Crick Institute. We also welcomed Andrew Caruso from Hatch, Richard Slaney from Lightroom, Mike Clewley from the Mayor of London’s Culture Team, William Chamberlain of Hackney Wick and Fish Island Community Development Trust, and Karrie Goldberg and Rowena Maddock from Outernet, among many others. These speakers brought bold ideas, fresh perspectives, and real-world insight into the conversations shaping the future of place and spaces into experience led destinations.

Natalie Daring

Senior Programme Manager
The National Trust

After spending 20 years working in science engagement in Manchester and across the UK, Natalie is now at the National Trust, supporting the charity’s ambition to end unequal access to nature, history and beauty. Leading on the Trust’s urban work in Manchester, Natalie works with local organisations and communities to support urban communities, heritage and nature to thrive.

Castlefield Viaduct is one of National Trust’s flagship urban projects; a green oasis in the sky, bringing joy and connection to many local people. With partners the Trust is embarking on plans for the future of the project.

Richard Parry

Chairperson
Experience UK

Recently retired from fifty years at the UK’s trade department where his achievements included leading the GCC export promotion team, transforming the approach to educational exports, co-founding Experience UK, creating Experience On Main Street (EOMS) and successfully failing to sell a UK subway system to China, Richard now relaxes by chairing Experience UK and working on EOMS. A published author, Richard has written for numerous in-flight magazines, Business Traveller, the Guardian, International Herald Tribune and Judy for Girls. Clubs: Arsenal, Surrey CCC, Dallas Cowboys, Racing (Buenos Aires).

James Wallman

CEO
World Experience Organisation (WXO)

James Wallman is CEO of the World Experience Organization (WXO), uniting 1,000 members in 44 countries. A leading voice in the Experience Economy, he’s authored two bestsellers, including Time And How To Spend It. A futurist and strategist since 2004, clients include Disney, KPMG, and IDEO. He’s a keynote speaker, media commentator, and advisor on climate and travel innovation. Educated at Oxford, London, and Cambridge, his most important role is being a dad to two amazing kids.

Keith Thomas

Chief Executive
Petersham Group

Joining the nascent Sea Life business in 1985, subsequently Development Director, overseeing roll out of Sea Life and Dungeon attractions throughout the UK and Europe. Joining Grant Leisure, projects included national museums, theme parks & brand lands. Establishing Petersham Group as leisure business consultants in 2003, our work is international in scope with projects in UK, across Europe, India, SE Asia, Middle East and China, a huge body & range of experience to draw from.

Dave Chetwyn

Managing Director/Partner
Urban Vision Enterprise

Dave Chetwyn is Managing Director of Urban Vision Enterprise, Director of D2H, and Communications Secretary for the Institute of Historic Building Conservation. He is a former Chair of the National Planning Forum, Historic Towns Forum, and IHBC, and was Head of Planning Aid England. Dave has advised national planning programmes, Parliamentary committees, and led mediation on planning, regeneration, and heritage. He is an Associate of the Consultation Institute, a Design Council Expert, and former High Street Task Force Expert. He has authored key planning and heritage guides, including parts of BS7913.

Katey Goodwin

Deputy Chief Executive and COO
Art UK

Katey Goodwin is Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Operating Officer at Art UK, the online home for the UK’s public art collections. She joined in 2005 and has led major digitisation projects, including cataloguing oil paintings and over 50,000 sculptures. She currently oversees a UK-wide murals and street art programme. With 35 years in the museum sector, Katey studied at Winchester and Leicester and worked as an archaeologist and curator at The Potteries Museum. She has lectured at Keele University and is a Trustee of Crewe Heritage Centre and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Arts.

David Hutchinson

Founder & CEO
The Path Entertainment Group

David Hutchinson is the Founder and CEO of The Path Entertainment Group, an award-winning immersive entertainment company. With nearly 20 years in the industry, David has produced acclaimed immersive theatre, branded experiences, and international rollouts. Under his leadership, the company has partnered with major IPs like Hasbro and The Copyrights Group, creating experiences such as Monopoly Lifesized and Paddington. He is also developing a new Dirty Dancing stage production with Lionsgate. A passionate storyteller and entrepreneur, David drives the company’s global growth, including a North American expansion, and champions the power of live entertainment to connect and inspire.

Kitty Vaughan

F&B and Leisure Leasing
Pradera Lateral

Kitty joined Pradera Lateral in 2023 as an F&B and Leisure specialist, managing key UK assets including Trafford Centre, Eldon Square, and Lakeside. She is leading a 200,000 sq ft redevelopment in Newcastle, featuring a live music venue and food hall. Other projects include the world’s longest indoor go-kart track in Glasgow and a food hub in Manchester. Prior to this, Kitty spent seven years at Landsec. She holds master’s degrees in Real Estate and Theology.

Dr Angela Connelly

Senior Lecturer
Manchester School of Architecture

Dr Angela Connelly is a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester School of Architecture, specialising in the intersections of climate change, resilience, and the built environment. Her interdisciplinary research explores how cities adapt to environmental risks, with a particular interest in policy, nature-based solutions, and community engagement. Angela has contributed to major UK and EU-funded projects and advises on climate resilience strategies, bringing a critical social science perspective to architectural and urban research.

Eddy Hackett

Co-founder and Executive Producer
The Lost Estate

Eddy Hackett is Co-Founder and Executive Producer of The Lost Estate, the UK’s leading immersive arts and hospitality company. Based in London, TLE creates transformative live experiences blending storytelling, performance, and hospitality. Its hit productions include 58th Street, Paradise Under the Stars, and The Great Christmas Feast, with over 200,000 guests to date. A former freelance percussionist, Eddy performed with top orchestras including the Royal Opera House and London Philharmonic. He lectures widely on arts entrepreneurship and designed BA modules at the Institute of Contemporary Music Performance. In 2025, he was made an Associate of the Royal Academy of Music.

Sarah Green

Chief Executive
NewcastleGateshead Initiative

Sarah Green OBE has been Chief Executive of NewcastleGateshead Initiative (NGI) since 2020, leading destination marketing and inward investment across the region. A former lawyer and CBI Director for Regions and Nations, she has championed economic growth and innovation. Under her leadership, NGI became one of England’s first accredited Local Visitor Economy Partnerships and secured £2.25 million for the UK’s first Destination Development Partnership Pilot. She sits on the government’s Tourism Industry Council and holds an MSc, MBA, and PhD. Sarah is also a non-executive director, National Trust senior council member, and advisor to Tyne & Wear Archives & Museums.

Jean-Paul Haenen

CEO
KWAN Leisure BV

Jean-Paul Haenen is a leading Dutch leisure consultant with over 30 years of experience. He studied Economic Geography at the University of Nijmegen and began his career in government leisure policy before founding KWAN Leisure in 2001 and JPHaenen in 2022. He specializes in leisure strategy, operations, and concept design, and partners with ParkProfs and NewArmstrong. Jean-Paul has published over 100 articles, speaks at global conferences, and lectures across Europe and China. He has worked on major projects for clients like Westfield, WWF, and Neinver, and received an Innovation Award in 2005 for his consumer-driven project, Binckle.