#TravelTech Special: TravelNest, Criton, Skyscanner & Backpack Chat

In this travel tech special, we have speakers from four companies at different stages of growth. From travel giant Skyscanner (https://www.skyscanner.net) we have Usability Specialist David Hammill, speaking about the importance of understanding user needs & behaviours throughout the product journey. Stefan Sabev of TravelNest (http://travelnest.com) provides a mid size company view, in his talk about judging whether to keep or kill your product darlings. Julie Grieve of Criton (https://www.critonapps.com) elucidates on the CEO's role as product manager. Finally Martin Jeret describes the challenges & pitfalls he is facing in the earliest days of product development for his new startup BackpackChat (http://www.backpackchatapp.com).

18.00 - Doors open; free pizza, beer & networking

18.30 - Talks

19.45 - Q&A

20.30 - Networking

21.00 - Close

NB. earlier opening time of 6pm for talks from 6.30pm. Pizza & drinks provided!

About our Speakers:

Stefan Sabev LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/stefansabev) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/SSabev)

Stefan Sabev is the Product Lead at TravelNest (http://travelnest.com), a fast growing Edinburgh based startup, on a mission to change the way people advertise their holiday rentals. Stefan is an expert in Travel Tech, having previously worked as a Product Manager with travel giant Skyscanner, on their bots strategy.

Julie Grieve LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/julieagrieve/) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/juliegrieve)

Julie Grieve is CEO of Information Apps, whose product Criton (https://www.critonapps.com), allows Accommodation providers to publish guest information as an app. Julie identified the need for Criton while working in the luxury accommodation sector and built a company to deliver it. She will give great insight into how Founders are a company's first product manager.

David Hamill LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/davidhamill/) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/dav_hamill)

David Hamill is a Senior Usability Specialist at Skyscanner (https://www.skyscanner.net), where he has been advising on user research & product usability since the company’s early days. He seeks to understand the goals, needs and behaviour of Skyscanner’s target users so that the company can make their products more useful and easy-to-use.

Martin Jeret LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/in/martin-jeret-ab436580/) / Twitter (https://twitter.com/BackpackChat/)

Martin Jeret is the founder of Backpack Chat (http://www.backpackchatapp.com), an app to see where your friends are traveling. A recent graduate of Edinburgh University, his product is in alpha. He will be describing some of the many challenges faced so far and highlighting those areas where he currently needs help & advice. Audience feedback will be actively sought.

Huge thanks to our event sponsors: Registers of Scotland (https://www.ros.gov.uk) & CodeBase (http://www.thisiscodebase.com/).

Registers of Scotland (RoS) is responsible for compiling and maintaining 18 public registers relating to land, property and other legal documents in Scotland. We’re an organisation with centuries of history, but a 21st century mandate to be an effective digital first asset for Scotland. Recent targets and developments include completing the digital land register, transforming land registration through improved digital services, and ScotLIS, our new land and information service that facilitates public and professional access to comprehensive data about any piece of land or property in Scotland.

RoS is a dynamic place to work, with initiatives like our Innovation Centre, which enables us to explore and shape big ideas into tangible, transformational business change initiatives. Our innovative approach is driven by our skilled, talented and flexible people, who are passionate about providing an effective service for the people of Scotland. You can find out more through our blog: https://insideros.blog/

CodeBase (http://www.thisiscodebase.com) is the UK’s largest startup incubator, home to more than 100 of the country’s best technology companies. CodeBase brings together ambitious entrepreneurs, world-class technological talent and top investors, in a creative, collaborative environment designed for the new digital economy.

Remember: you can see photos of ProductTankEdi (https://twitter.com/ProductTankEdi) events on Facebook (https://www.facebook.com/ProductTankEdi/) & videos of the talks on Vimeo (https://vimeo.com/producttankedi)!