The most significant Convention in Years, see E-News section to find out why...         Only 6 weeks to go, register now!         See about the event section, to view business session programme...         Only 6 weeks to go, register now!         See the delegate list, to view a list of companies registered to date...         Book your Talk Zone table now!         See about the event section, to view business session programme...         Only 6 weeks to go, register now!         See the delegate list, to view a list of companies registered to date...         Book your Talk Zone table now!         The most significant Convention in Years, see E-News section to find out why...

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