How can churches and chapels make the most of their buildings, attract more visitors, generate income and support volunteers to thrive? These questions and more will be explored at the Churches Visitor & Tourism Association (CVTA) Conference & AGM, taking place in Cardiff on 16-17 October 2026.
Confirmed speakers include Sir Robert Buckland, Church Estates Commissioner, speaking about supporting historic places of worship at the heart of their communities; Rachel Morley, Director of the Friends of Friendless Churches and author of Church Crawling; Gareth Simpson from the National Churches Trust on using church buildings creatively to generate income and engage communities; Revd Rebecca Sparey on empowering volunteers; Sarah Perons on the growth of pilgrimage and faith tourism; representatives from the Welsh Royal Commission discussing the Capeli Cymru project; and Anastazia Thomas sharing the transformation of St Elvans, Aberdare, into a thriving community heritage and worship space.
Alongside the conference programme, delegates can take part in an optional guided tour of Cardiff’s churches and places of worship on Friday 16 October, providing an opportunity to see first-hand how different buildings are adapting, welcoming visitors and serving their communities.
Whether your church welcomes thousands of visitors a year or is just beginning to explore new opportunities, the CVTA Conference offers a valuable opportunity to exchange ideas, learn from others and be inspired by successful projects from across the UK. Churches, chapels and organisations from across the UK and Ireland are warmly invited to attend.