On March 10, 2006, ''What's Your Story?'' The Creative Tourism Conference offers a groundbreaking opportunity for collaboration between the tourism and creative industries.

Sponsored by Highlands & Islands Enterprise, the event aims to cultivate the next generation of tourism attractions by building stronger commercial links between Scotland's biggest industry and one of its most dynamic.

Participants will have a chance to pioneer inventive and compelling attractions for the Highlands & Islands tourism market. A sparkling lineup of facilitators has been put together to help you turn your ideas into commercial successes. In alphabetical order, they are;

Graham Lean. Venture capitalist with a creative industries and tourism portfolio. Graham's recent investment in the Scottish games developer Real Time Worlds captured international headlines in 2005 with the announcement of an exclusive multi-game deal with Microsoft.

Professor John Lennon. Moffat Chair in Travel & Tourism Business Development at Glasgow Caledonian University. John is one of Britain's foremost tourism experts who has developed the sector throughout the world. He is an advisor to VisitScotland & the English Tourism Council.

Norrie MacLaren. Internationally exhibited fashion photographer and filmmaker. The Fort William native is a top drawer visualist and ideasman whose clients and collaborators have included Channel4, Stanley Kubrick, the BBC, Harpers & Queen, the British Council and Working Title.

Rob Murray. Director of ITP Solutions, the largest provider of technology and people-led solutions in the Highlands & Islands. Rob is a leading figure in the Highlands business community, and combines his technical expertise with a keen interest in the region's untapped rich historical tapestry.

Michael Russell. Herald columnist, commentator and former Shadow Secretary for Culture and the Media. Michael has worked in media, politics and culture for most of his life, and is chair of the 2006 Creative Scotland Awards judging panel.

This event runs from 9:30am till 4:15pm at the Tulloch Castle Hotel (Dingwall). A buffet lunch and drinks at the bar will be provided. Attendance is free for creative and tourism professionals. You can book your place online at http://www.solas-biz.co.uk  or by emailing stewart.meikle@btinternet.com . More information is also available at http://www.aim-hi.org/creativetourism2.html