11 Sep
2014

ABTA attends Party Conferences

Next week, the major UK parties head into the final Party Conference season before the 2015 General Election.

For ABTA and our Members’ this represents an important opportunity to engage directly with MPs, putting forward a strong case for valuing travel and tourism in the next Parliament. As always, ABTA has an active programme of events planned at the Conferences of each of the three main parties, and we encourage Members to attend.

Should you have any questions on the below, or if you are interested in coming along, please speak to Stephen D’Alfonso, Head of Public Affairs, on 020 3117 0561 or email sdalfonso@abta.co.uk ABTA’s 2014 conference programme is:

Labour Party Conference, Manchester

Please note that Labour events are to be held in the secure zone – this will mean a conference pass will be needed to attend. ABTA is unable to obtain these passes on behalf of Members.

Sunday 21 September The Big Transport Interview with Mary Creagh, Shadow Transport Secretary, Central 7, Manchester Central, 17.30 – 18.45

An annual event on the first evening of conference for each party, organised by Transport Hub. The event quizzes a high-profile Transport spokesperson on the most pertinent issues facing our industry. Followed by a Q&A inviting questions from the floor.

Monday 22 September ABTA/AOA/Sustainable Aviation Dinner: Aviation and Tourism – A Conference Discussion, Victoria Suite, Midland Hotel, 19.30 – 21.00

New to ABTA’s conference line-up, on the Monday evening at each conference, working with AOA and Sustainable Aviation, we are hosting a senior level policy dinner bringing together senior industry figures and politicians to discuss how the aviation and tourism industries can promote both jobs and growth for the regional and UK economy.

In attendance; Clive Efford MP, Shadow Tourism Minister

Tuesday 23 September ABTA/AOA: Growing Global – trade, tourism and aviation under Labour, Victoria Suite, Midland Hotel, 8am-9am

A staple of the conference diet, this year’s ABTA/AOA fringe events focus on how each of the main parties will treat our industries should they be successful at the ballot box next May. We have included the fringe line-ups below.

Panel Fringe event, the full panel is:

  • Kurt Janson, Tourism Alliance
  • Darren Caplan, AOA
  • John Longworth, British Chambers of Commerce
  • Gordon Marsden MP, Shadow Aviation Minister
  • Guy Lavis, Mayor of London’s Aviation Programme
  • Emran Mian (Chair), Social Market Foundation

Conservative Party Conference, Birmingham

All events, with the exception of the Big Interview, are outside of the secure zone meaning no conference pass will be required to attend

Sunday 28 September Big Transport Interview with Robert Goodwill, Aviation Minister, Hall 10b, ICC Birmingham, 17.30

Monday 29 September ABTA/AOA/SA Dinner: Aviation and Tourism – A Conference Discussion, Room 108, Jurys Inn, 19.30 – 21.30

In attendance; Robert Goodwill MP, Aviation Minister

Tuesday 30 September ABTA/AOA: Trade, Tourism and Aviation, is Britain winning the global race?, Room 106, Jurys Inn, 8am-9am

Panel Fringe event, the full panel is:

  • Stephen D’Alfonso, ABTA
  • Ed Anderson (Chair), AOA
  • Matt Sinclair, Europe Economics
  • Alok Sharma MP (tbc)
  • Nora Senior, BCC
  • Daniel Moylan, Mayor of London’s Aviation Advisor

Lib Dem Conference, Glasgow

All events, with the exception of the Big Interview, are outside of the secure zone meaning no conference pass will be required to attend

Sunday 5 October, Big Interview with Baroness Kramer, Crowne Plaza Hotel, Glasgow, 18.15 – 20.00 – as above, Transport Hub event, open to all

Monday 6 October ABTA/AOA/SA Dinner: Aviation and Tourism – A Conference Discussion, Picasso 1, Campanile Hotel, 19.30 – 21.30

Tuesday 30 September ABTA/AOA: Trade, Tourism and Aviation, is Britain winning the global race?, Room 106, Jurys Inn, 1pm-2pm

Panel Fringe event, the full panel is:

  • Darren Caplan, AOA
  • Stephen D’Alfonso, ABTA
  • Tom Papworth (chair), Centre Forum
  • Mike Spencer, BCC
  • Guy Lavis, Mayor of London’s Aviation Programme
  • Stephen Gilbert MP

Social media:

Keep up to date and interact with us on Twitter using @ABTAtravel  #valuetourism and @transporthub #transport

For more information:

For more detail on any of the above, or to register an interest in attending, please contact Stephen D’Alfonso, Head of Public Affairs, T: 020 3117 0561; E: sdalfonso@abta.co.uk