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A speaker

Business Sessions

Innovation is the central issue in economic prosperity, which is why we’ve made ‘innovation’ the theme of the 2008 Travel Convention.

Tuesday 7 October

10:00-10:10

Introduction - That was a Year that was!

Jeremy Vine

1010-10:50

Innovation - The Key to Success

Martin Broughton, President, CBI (chairman, BA)

10:50-11:20

Future and Options

Douglas McWilliams, Chief Executive, Centre for Economics and Business Research

12:00-12:25

Innovation Starts at Home

Malcolm Preston, Partner, PricewaterhouseCoopers

Mark Tanzer, Chief Executive, ABTA

ABTA Board Members

12:25-12:50

Make Your People Innovative

Henry Stewart, Founder & Chief Executive, Happy

12:50-13:30

Question Time

Ian Derbyshire, Executive Director, Thomas Cook
Jo Rzymowska, Associate Vice President and General Manager , Royal Caribbean Cruise Line
John Hays, Managing Director, Hays Travel
Andrew Cornish, Managing Director, Manchester Airport

16:30-17:15

Talking Travel

The ABTA Management Team

Wednesday 8 October

10:00-10:10

Welcome Back

Jeremy Vine

10:10:-11:10

The Generation Game

Emma Reynolds, Co-Founder, Ask Gen Y
Bruce Morton, Co-Founder, e3unlimited
Paul Redmond, University of Liverpool

11:40-12:25

Master classes

Stream A – Reaching your Customers
Finding, Reaching & Retaining the 'Generation Y'
Stream B – Managing your Business
Managing Your Business in an Economic Downturn
Stream C – Innovative Selling
Selling Luxury

12:40-13:25

Master classes

Stream A – Reaching your Customers
Finding, Reaching & Retaining Baby Boomers
Stream B – Managing your Business
Empowering, Retaining & Investing in your Staff
Stream C – Innovative Selling
Cuising for Value

14:45-15:20

Tourism 2023
Video address by HRH The Prince of Wales
Industry Panel

15:30-16:00

Guest Speaker

To be announced

16:00-16:20

Goodbye Gran Canaria

Jeremy Vine

Justin Fleming, President, ABTA


Not only will the business sessions be relevant to delegates from every sector, much of the innovative talk will be followed up with the kind of practical advice you’ll need to help you achieve innovation for yourself.

We’ve reached a pivotal point in the development of the travel industry. Over the next few years consumers are going to change the way they buy, communicate and travel, so tourism needs will change too. Complicating the mix are the shifting economic cycles and the continual evolution of new market segments within the travel sector, new regulations and restrictions and green issues which are becoming ever more important.

So now, more than ever, it’s a question of survival – which is why the Convention will be inspiring, informative, thought provoking and above all, innovative.

Following last year’s 100% approval rate, Jeremy Vine couldn’t bear to stay away and will be moderating again this year.

“Last year was a lot of fun and there were some great moments. For me the whole event was fascinating—and friendly too. I kept meeting Radio 2 listeners, so I knew I was among real people!

The Travel Convention was more than an insight into the travel business, it was the business: all of it, wrapped up in one Convention on one island in one week. Here's to the next one!”

Click here to view Briefing Notes from 2007

Click here to view Speaker Presentations from 2007

Click here to view Business Sessions from 2007

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