GTE Convention 2026 at Saunton Sands. Video by Destination 18, filmed by Josh Tucker.
The GTE Convention 2026 took place on 20–21 July at Saunton Sands Hotel on the North Devon coast, bringing together golf clubs, resorts, destinations, hotels, tour operators and industry partners from the UK and overseas. Here’s how the two days unfolded.
The Seminar Programme
With the FAM trip complete, the convention proper kicked off on Monday morning with a seminar programme to be genuinely proud of. Anthony Kingdon, the General Manager of Saunton Sands, opened proceedings by talking about the history of the hotel and how that history and family spirit still shapes the attitude of the hotel today. Jon Sutherland then gave delegates a presentation on Saunton Golf Club. Sally Everton of Visit Devon and Peter Hannaford of Discover South Carolina both gave standout talks — more on those in A Tale of Two Destinations: Devon and South Carolina — and Jordan Edwards and William Wright of Tourwriter rounded off the morning with a presentation that left several operators keen to learn more.
Speed Dating: Where Real Relationships Are Built
Tuesday’s speed-dating session was, as ever, one of the highlights of the whole convention — but what stood out most this year wasn’t the format itself, it was what the small scale of the event allows in the run-up to it. By the time delegates sit down for their speed-dating appointments, there’s no need for introductions — those happened over the coffee breaks, drinks, golf and dinner the day before. The conversations are already familiar, which means they can go straight to something more directed and useful, rather than starting from scratch. It’s a level of intimacy and authenticity that’s very hard to replicate at a larger trade show, and it’s exactly why real relationships — not just contacts — come out of this convention.
Golf on Saunton East and a Gala Dinner to Remember
The golf, unsurprisingly, was fantastic — Saunton’s East Course played fast and firm after a dry, hot spell with no rain, and the ball travelled miles as a result. It made for a proper challenge, but that didn’t detract from the enjoyment one bit — if anything, it added to it. And the gala dinner was a triumph in every sense: Brend’s own champagne flowed, and the food was, quite simply, magnificent. Head Chef Mathias Oberg and his team deserve enormous credit — delegates were still raving about the lamb the following day, with more than one describing it as the best they’d ever eaten!
Looking Ahead to the GTE Convention 2027
Planning is already underway for next year, when the GTE Convention moves to Formby Hall Golf Resort & Spa on the Merseyside coast. Read more in Looking Ahead: GTE Convention 2027 at Formby Hall.
Catch up on the rest of the journey, from the FAM trip’s arrival at The Castle Windsor and Bristol, gateway to the South West, to arriving at Saunton Sands and playing Royal North Devon — or watch the full highlights video from the 7th GTE Convention.