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Business sessions and speaker line-up confirmed for Travel Weekly forum

More than 25 experts from a range of leading travel brands and related sectors will analyse the future outlook for the industry during a free-to-attend three-day summit next week.

The Future of Travel Spring Forum will be hosted by Travel Weekly in partnership with Google, with registered attendees given exclusive early access to each day’s content in advance of the wider audience.

Each day’s content will consist of four business sessions, including panel discussions, interviews and presentations, with attendees sent a link to view the content at 10am on Monday 15, Wednesday 17 and Friday 19.

The event is supported by headline sponsor Salesforce, premium sponsors Remote and Travelport, and sponsors bd4travel, Kaptio and Switzerland Tourism.

Day 1: Monday, March 15

The first day’s sessions will begin with a keynote interview with Tui northern region managing director Andrew Flintham, followed by a panel discussion on the topic of travel regulation featuring Farina Azam, partner and travel law expert, Deloitte; John de Vial, membership and financial services director, Abta; and Paul Smith, group director of consumers and markets, CAA.

The programme will then cover the topic of staffing and operations, with expert speakers Ami Naru, head of employment, Travlaw; Gail Kenny, managing director, Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment; and Mary Wilson, chief people officer, dnata Travel Group, and will conclude with insight from Andy Owen-Jones, chief executive, bd4travel.

Day 2: Wednesday, March 17

The second day’s programme will begin with a keynote interview with Carnival UK president Simon Palethorpe, before a panel discussion featuring financial experts Krystene Bousfield, associate solicitor, Travlaw; Adam Pennyfather, director, The Travel Trade Consultancy; and Chris Photi, head of travel and leisure, White Hart Associates.

The crucial subject of sustainability will form the focus for the day’s third session, with speakers Jane Ashton, sustainability director, easyJet; Emily Cromwell, risk advisory director, Deloitte; and Jeremy Sampson, chief executive, The Travel Foundation, before the sessions conclude with a discussion on technology and the need to invest for a digital future featuring Rachel Kenney, senior regional vice-president for travel, transport and hospitality, Salesforce; and Kaptio chief operating officer Jon Pickles.

Day 3: Friday, March 19

The third and final day’s sessions begin with an interview with Hays Travel chair Dame Irene Hays and the company’s chief operating officer Jonathon Woodall, with a focus on distribution and supply continuing with a panel discussion featuring Debbie Goffin, sales and marketing director, Premier Holidays; Julia Lo Bue-Said, chief executive, Advantage Travel Partnership; Miles Morgan, chairman, Miles Morgan Travel; and Guy Novik, chief executive, USAirtours.

The programme will continue with a panel discussion on the global restart of travel featuring Susan Deer, industry relations director, Abta; Simon McNamara, UK & Ireland country manager, Iata; and Clive Wratten, chief executive, Business Travel Association, before the event concludes with a special session on identifying and reaching the future travel consumer, presented by Finnbar Cornwall, travel industry leader, Google, and featuring Gary Morrison, chief executive, Hostelworld.

To register for free early access to each day’s sessions, fill out the form below. A link to view the content will be sent to registered attendees at 10am each day.

Future-of-Travel-Sponsors-Mar9

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