The agenda for this year’s Travel Convention was revealed last week. Taking place virtually for the first time on 14 October, the Convention agenda includes eight interactive workshops, designed to allow you to tailor the content for the day to suit your business needs during this time. You will be able to choose two workshops to attend during the event, with all others being available to watch on demand after the event for up to one month.

Specialist workshops:

1.    Tourism for good
Led by ABTA’s Director of Industry Relations, Susan Deer, this session will look at how we can rebuild our industry responsibly and with sustainable business practices at the forefront. With an opener from Green & Black’s Founder, Jo Fairley followed by a discussion and Q&A with ABTA’s Head of Sustainability Claire Jenkinson and The Travel Corporation’s Shannon Guihan, get insights into consumer priorities around responsible travel, the value of tourism for travellers and communities, and how economic and environmental impacts are being managed.

2.    Employment strategies surgery
As we come to the end of the furlough scheme in October, RSM’s Head of Travel and Tourism, Ian Bell will lead this practical workshop on employment strategies and issues for travel businesses. Delegates can submit questions in advance or during the session to be answered live.

3.    Long-term recovery for travel 
Led by BDO’s M&A Partner, Peter Hemington, this session will take a look at the investment trends for the travel sector. Hear predictions around consolidation and private equity investment. Peter will be joined by speakers which include a private equity firm and a travel business.

4.    Preparing for future pandemics
In this practical workshop, listen to speakers discuss how travel companies can prepare for further lockdowns and outbreaks, and mitigate the risks for customers and their businesses. Hear from travel lawyer Rhys Griffiths (Fox Williams), James Dalton from the Association of British Insurers and scientist, Dr Charlie Easmon.

5.    Health and safety operations and recovery in destinations
Led by health and safety expert, Jason Burnett (Intertek Cristal) learn how different destinations, including Italy, are responding to preventative measures against COVID-19 and the steps you can take within your supply chain throughout the customer journey. 

6.    Diversity and equality in practice 
This workshop will look at the actions that businesses can and should take to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in their organisations. Led by coaches and mentors, Jamie-Lee Abtar and Alessandra Alonso (BAME Women in Travel), take away practical tips to share with your teams, in particular around how to have difficult conversations in the workplace and learn from previous mistakes.  

7.    Brexit preparedness 
Our transition period after Brexit will end on 31 December – how ready are we? This workshop will look at what travel companies need to know regarding their business operations and learn what they can and should be doing now. Travlaw’s Matt Gatenby will lead the session and be joined by ABTA’s Director of Public Affairs Luke Petherbridge, CEO of Cosmos, Giles Hawke and Simon Calder. 

8.    Is technology the key to consumer confidence and rebuilding our industry? 
Led by Babble’s CEO, Matthew Parker, listen to experts from technology and travel firms look at the role that technology has played in a socially distanced world, and discuss the learnings and the role it can play in building consumer confidence both pre and post-departure.

To find out more about the Travel Convention, download the agenda, view the confirmed speaker line-up so far, and to register your place, visit thetravelconvention.com.