Conference

Travel Marketing Conference

20 May 2026
9:30 – 17:00, with networking drinks
Venue:
Central London

Event details

ABTA’s flagship Travel Marketing Conference returns in May 2026, combining valuable insights, interactive panel discussions and inspirational case studies. 

Designed for advanced level travel marketing professionals, this event will bring together travel industry leaders and senior marketing experts to share invaluable insights and trends to future-proof your marketing strategy and your travel and tourism brand.

Explore the latest developments you need to know about to stay ahead in the world of travel marketing.  Ensure you are maximising spend across all platforms and reaching your audience at the right time, via the right channels, with the right messages.

Don’t miss the opportunity to listen to marketing thought leaders, hear what your competitors are doing and find out what to expect from marketing in 2026 and beyond.

Meet and network with your peers at the breaks and at the networking drinks reception.

Sessions

  • Customer travel trends and industry outlook 2026 and beyond
  • New platforms and technologies reshaping travel marketing
  • Leveraging customer data for successful marketing
  • Practical applications of AI to drive efficiencies and future proof your travel marketing strategies
  • Social media: review of current channels, content and trends to help you develop innovative strategies to maximise impact
  • Marketing in the age of the conscious traveller
  • Optimising multi-channel marketing in travel
  • The role of marketing in driving business growth and success
  • Senior travel trends and marketing to senior travellers
  • Community building for travel and how to build an engaged audience

Speakers

Moderator:

Shelly Beresford
Shelly Beresford,
Joint Head of Brand and Marketing,
ABTA

As Head of Brand and Marketing, Shelly leads ABTA’s marketing activities, including B2B and B2C advertising and campaigns, social media, publications, website, research and all things brand related.

Joining ABTA in 2011, she previously worked in the sport and leisure industry, and has over 20 years’ experience working with high profile brands. Shelly works as part of a job share.

Speakers will include travel marketing experts and customer insights bodies. Previous industry speakers have included:

  • Graeme Buck, Director of Communications, ABTA
  • Dean Harvey, Marketing Director, Hotelplan
  • Jason Gray, Marketing Director, Exodus Adventure Travels
  • Ronan Gay, Head of Digital Transformation, Black Tomato
  • Sara Ali, Brand and Content Director, TUI
  • Clarissa Cappelletti, UK Country Manager, WeRoad
  • Caroline Child, Marketing Director, Kuoni
  • Abbie Lewis, Senior Content Manager, Hotelplan
  • Carl Ellis, Principal Client Partner, Tripadvisor
  • Kate Liberty, Head of Marketing & Brand, Newmarket Holidays
  • Kasia Morgan, Head of Sustainability, Exodus Adventure Travels
  • Josh Pizey, Global Head of Social Media, HX
  • Ant Stone, Director of Marketing, EMEA, G Adventures
  • Leon Suarez Rojas, Brand Partnerships Manager, Travel, TikTok
  • Richard Adams, Head of Sales & Marketing, Jules Verne
  • Jae Hopkins, Marketing Director, Explore Worldwide
  • Sharon Bradbury, Marketing Director, Solmar Villas
  • Sean Rooney, Senior Influencer and Digital Marketing  Manager (UK), Holiday Pirates Group
  • Liam Lodge, Global Head of Social Media, Hotels.com
  • Andre Rickerby, Chief Marketing Officer, Scott Dunn

Benefits

Benefits of attending

  • Get inspiration from marketing experts whose insights will inform and improve your marketing strategies
  • Be informed on the latest marketing trends and techniques
  • Discuss the latest challenges facing travel marketing professionals and hear common solutions
  • Hear travel industry case studies and the strategies behind award winning campaigns
  • Get up to date and stay one step ahead of your competitors
  • Discuss and debate with peers, network and build industry connections with senior marketing peers 

Who should attend?

The conference is designed for those with an interest in brand development and marketing from large, medium and small travel companies, including:

  • Senior marketing professionals
  • Customer insight teams
  • CRM and data teams
  • Communications and PR teams
  • Digital marketing and social media teams
  • Brand teams
  • Senior managers