SEEING THE
WOOD A Triumph
—Vague Magazine
A gamechanger
—Newsmonth
FOR THE TREES How a macro-economic perspective gives you a better basis for informed decision-making in your business
Didn’t want it to end
TRAVEL CENTRES CONFERENCE 2023 RESTRICTED Contains lots of inspirational material.
Agents are urged to learn more about the suppliers before putting on their gladrags and letting their hair down
TRAVEL INDUSTRY PROFESSIONALS ONLY
—Wall Street Diary
Can’t see the wood for the trees?
You’re probably looking in the wrong place! What a busy year 2023 has been — accentuated, no doubt, by ongoing staff shortages that continue to plague our industry. Covid may well be behind us, and travel is assuredly back with a bang but that doesn’t mean that we can sit back and relax.
help us all recalibrate our expectations of the small but pragmatic contributions that we can all make to help alleviate the problem. AI is on a roll in 2023 and probably no other topic has generated more column inches than Artificial Intelligence and the rise of the machines. So, is AI going to make all our lives
Many challenges still face us, and the future
easier or should we be afraid? Clare De Bono
remains uncertain and that’s why we’ve
will help us separate the facts from the hype.
asked a number of experts to help us make
‘Money’ as the old saying goes, makes the
sense of what lies ahead and how we can
world go round so what do travel agents need
deal with some of those challenges.
to do to attract future sources of discretionary
Sustainability is increasingly finding itself
spending within the Irish economy that will
centre stage in discussions around all kinds
sustain their businesses in the years to come?
of economic activity and travel is not immune
The likely answer lies in the demographic
from the naysayers who believe that, in order
numbers and to help us crunch and interpret
to save the world, we need to stay at home.
them, we are blessed to be assisted in that
Such naïve world views are addressed
endeavour by noted economist, Dan O’Brien.
by Jo Linehan, a sustainability expert who lives in the real world and who can 1
Always at your service!
Sponsors Headline Sponsors
ACKN OWLE D G E M E NTS Events such as this depend on the generous sponsorship that underpins much of the Free travel insurance policies Joint sponsors of Saturday Lunch Pre-dinner drinks, Saturday Gala dinner band Gala dinner wines 2 x economy tickets to Abu Dhabi Friday dinner wines Saturday refreshment breaks & gala dinner entertainment Friday Dinner 360-video platform
content featured over the course of the conference weekend programme. Although all our suppliers have contributed to the central funding that covers much of the main running costs, these suppliers in particular have dug deep into their pockets in order to show their appreciation for the business that you, our members, generate for them yearround. It is therefore only right and fitting that we should acknowledge them here. All Rights Reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing from the publisher. Publisher’s Note: Whilst care has been taken in compiling the information contained in this programme, the publishers cannot accept responsibility for any errors or omissions. © Travel Centres 2023
Pre-dinner drinks, Friday 2 x economy tickets to anywhere in Turkey Joint sponsors of Saturday lunch
2
Conference PROGRAMME F R I D AY, N O V E M B E R 3RD 15.00 — 17.30
Owners forum (closed session)
17.30 — 19.30
At your Leisure
19.30 — 20.30
Pre-Dinner drinks Sponsored by Sunway
20.30 — 22.30
Owners/Managers Dinner — sponsored by MSC Cruises. Dinner wines sponsored by Hertz
22.30 — Late
Karaoke Kompetition
S AT U R D AY, N O V E M B E R 4TH
3
11.50 —12.15
‘What AI means for the future of Travel’ with Clare De Bono
12.15 — 12.40
‘Seeing the wood for the trees with Dan O’Brien
12.40 — 12.55
Panel Q & A, moderated by Eoghan Corry
12.55 — 13.00
Sponsor presentation from United Airlines
13.00 — 14.00
Lunch sponsored jointly by Air Canada/United Airlines
14.00 — 15.40
Speed-dating workshops — Part 1
15.40 — 15.45
Sponsor presentation from Royal Caribbean
15.45 — 16.00
Refreshment Break — Sponsored by Melia Hotels
16.00 —16.05
Sponsor presentation from Silversea
16.05 — 17.30
Speed-dating workshops — Part 2
09.45 — 10.30
Delegate Registration
17.30 — 17.45
Table Prize draws
10.30 — 10.35
Conference officially opened by Angela Walsh, incoming president of ITAA
17.45 — 19.45
At your leisure
Introduction to new Hablo Platform with Russell Meara
19.45 — 20.30
Pre-dinner drinks — Sponsored by Bedsonline
10.35 — 10.55
20.30 — 23.00
Gala Dinner & Awards. Dinner wines sponsored by Crystal Ski 360-video platform sponsored by Stuba Band sponsored by Bookabed
10.55 — 11.20
‘An introduction to sustainable travel’ with Jo Linehan
11.20 — 11.45
Refreshment Break — Sponsored by Melia Hotels
23.00 — 01.00
Dancing to the Controversial Allstars
11.45 — 11.50
Sponsor presentation from Air Canada
01.00 — 03.00
Disco
Table Plans
GALA DINNER Blank table plans for the Gala Dinner will be displayed on notice boards in the main function room throughout the day on Saturday. Please fill in your name on one of these table plans no later than 15.45 as the completed or partially completed table plans will be collected at 16.00. If your agency has five or more staff attending, a table plan with your name details will already have been pre-populated.
4
Awards We’ve re-introduced a number of award categories
Also bear in mind that since agents may be deemed
for 2023 which have been voted on by the suppliers of
to fall into the ‘small agent’ category with some
those awards as we feel that that is the most equitable
suppliers because of their sales profile whereas they
means of choosing both nominees and the eventual
may be deemed to be ‘large’ agents by other suppliers
winner in each category. The final three nominees
because of their greater production with those same
in each category have been chosen on the basis of
suppliers, it is not unusual for some agents to appear
a combination of their overall sales, year-on-year
in both small and large categories. The decision of
improvement and their observed activities in actively
each trade partner is final and not open to dispute
promoting the products or services of the trade partner
or challenge. The following suppliers have elected to
in question. With the exception of Celebrity Cruises,
Iberostar, Silversea and Transferz who have elected
recognise the efforts of agent partners: Accident & General, Bedsonline, Blue Insurance, Celebrity Cruises,
to have one award category, all other trade partners
Crystal Holidays, Expedia Taap, Hertz, MSC Cruises,
will be recognizing both large and small agents with
Princess Cruises, Royal Caribbean, Silversea, Stuba,
an award for each category. The decision to determine
Sunway, Transferz, Travel Focus and Tui. Three further
which category an agent falls into has been at the
award categories will recognize the contributions of
sole discretion of each trade partner and is based
the ‘Best Use of Social Media’, ‘Supplier of the Year’ and
on a combination of annual turnover and staff size.
‘Supplier Representative of the Year’. Two additional
Since many members have not provided us with that
categories will be announced on the night in respect of
necessary information, many suppliers have to base
individuals within our industry who Travel Centres feel
their respective decisions on incomplete data.
have made an outstanding contribution. This year’s trophies have been created with a star motif to reflect
the theme of this year’s Gala Dinner — ‘Musical Icons! 5
Supplier ‘Speed Dating’ Workshop The cornerstone of the conference each year is the speed-dating workshop that takes place on the Saturday afternoon. The challenge each year is trying to ensure that all conference delegates fully engage with their supplier partners throughout the day so that, ideally, all agents visit all suppliers in equal measure. What tends to happen is that agents only end up visiting those suppliers that they already do business with, thus defeating the whole point of learning about new preferred suppliers that have been added to the portfolio.
participating in the room, listed in alphabetical order. The order of exhibitors/suppliers within the
As there are more suppliers in attendance than
room will, however, be completely random. All
there will be available speed-dating slots in which
passports must be personalized by writing in your
to visit them all, agency staff are encouraged to
full name and agency in the spaces provided on
split up across the room so that, collectively, they
the front. Passports must be surrendered at the
get to meet more suppliers/ exhibitors within the
end of the afternoon by placing them in the boxes
allocated time. Each agent will be provided with
provided as these will be used to choose some
a passport when registering in the morning and
additional, random winners of some great prizes
each passport will contain details of all exhibitors
that will be raffled off during the gala dinner.
6
General Information Check in
Closed Forum
Please note that the afternoon session that takes place on Friday afternoon between 15.00 and 17.30 is closed to trade press, suppliers and
Please note that check in at the hotel is not before
non-owners but all are welcome to attend all
15.00 hrs so if you are arriving on Saturday, please
presentations on the Saturday morning.
proceed directly to registration and either leave your luggage in the car (if using own transport) or leave in the care of the porter (if arriving via public transport).
Interim Presentations
There will be two short (i.e. 5-minute) presentations
All luggage will be kept in a secure location until such
from Air Canada and United Airlines on Saturday
time as you are in a position to check-in later — i.e.
morning. Both airlines are joint sponsors of the
after 5.45 p.m. when the supplier workshop finishes.
Saturday Lunch. There will also be two short (i.e.
Punctuality
5-minute) presentations from Royal Caribbean and Silversea (joint Headline sponsors) immediately
As we are working to extremely tight schedules, it is
before and after the mid-afternoon refreshment
important that every agent delegate and exhibitor
break at 16.00 – 16.15 on Saturday afternoon.
observe the times allocated for each event throughout the conference weekend such as closed sessions, workshop segments, presentations and meals etc.
Suggestions
A lot of thought and planning goes into arranging
This will ensure the smooth running of the event and a
each year’s conference but we’re always receptive
better overall conference experience for all concerned.
to new suggestions as to how we can improve on the delegate experience and make the content of these events more relevant to your business. Ideas on a postcard please. (Better still — just email them!)
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Testimonials
Karaoke Kompetiton
year’s event and for a variety of reasons. If you enjoy
reveal your inner performer by signing up for our
yourself this weekend, then we’d like to hear from you
first-ever Karaoke competition (and possibly our last
so we can share your comments/observations with
— depending on how this years’ initiative goes!) Due
those who perhaps take a little bit more convincing
to time constraints, we have been forced to host it
that such events are both relevant and worthwhile.
on the Friday night, but it is our intention to provide
Some of your colleagues will be absent from this
Conference Hashtag#
Speaking of participants, we hope that some of you
the winner(s) with the opportunity to reprise their performance on the Saturday night, during the Gala
Help us promote this year’s conference through
Dinner & Awards. As previously advised, Travel Centres
social media by tweeting your comments and
will present prizes* under the following categories:
observations to the Twitterverse at large by using
the following designated hashtag #travelcconf. We
〉
will be monitoring all communications and the most
〉
engaging tweets, travel quotes and selfies will receive
〉
some nice spot prizes — courtesy of Travel Centres. Best costume/Interpretation
This year’s gala dinner theme is ‘Icons of Music’ and,
Best overall performance Best costume/persona
Best audience reaction
*Participants in the karaoke segment on the Friday night can perform
as always, we would like to incentivise delegates to
either as solo acts
make an effort to dress up and so will give away some
or as groups.
nice prizes on the night for what we consider to be the best, most elaborate or most creative interpretation of the evening’s dress theme. There will be separate prizes for both male and female participants. 8
Music
9
#travelcconf
Dietary Requirements
Previous themes have been The 1980’s, Masked
On the registration form that everyone fills
Ball and Irish Culture to name but a few. It’s
out, you will have been asked for details of
always a good laugh but no one is ever under
any special dietary requirements. Please note
pressure to comply. You can dress as you
that whilst these details are forwarded on to
please or you can take a deep dive and see
the hotel on your behalf so that the kitchen
what happens when you dress up and assume
is aware of them when catering for each
your alter persona! This year, to tie in with our
meal, serving staff have no way of knowing
Karaoke Kompetition on the Friday night, we’ve
where persons with such special dietary are seated in the room so it is important that
gone for the ‘Icons of Music’ theme as has
been referenced in the artwork that has been
you specifically notify the person taking your
accompanying some of our conference-related
order or serving you is made aware of those
communications in recent weeks/months. As you
dietary issues in order to avoid any problems.
can see, each artist has not only been famous
Dress Code on Saturday night
for their musical output but also their iconic and individualistic ‘look’. Artists such as Madonna,
If you’re a regular at our annual conferences,
Jimi Hendrix, Prince, The Beach Boys, Spandau
then you will know that we always have
Ballet, Boy George and American rock band, Kiss
a ‘theme’ suggestion that attendees can
all exemplify the theme that we are going for
reference, and which ties in with some
this year individual, unique and eclectic! There
aspects of the entertainment programme
are no holds barred and there might even be a
over the conference weekend. Last year,
prize or two in the offing for the best executed
the theme was Great Gatsby/Roaring 20’s
costume or most outrageous mimicking of
and the year before that was Hollywood.
a musical artist that we all love (or hate!)
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Advisory Board The advisory board comprises eight member agents who, between them, represent the interests of the general membership and who, in conjunction with the management team, define the policies and supplier preferences of the group. The board positions are voluntary, so board members donate freely of their time and expertise throughout the year in order to help drive the collective agenda of members. The board meets periodically throughout the year. The advisory board currently consists of the following members: Carolyn Davis
Jeff Collins
In 2002 and with over thirty years’
Jeff began his travel career in the
experience working in the travel
early 90’s, when he worked for
and hospitality sectors in the UK,
Delta airlines for 10 years —based
Liberty Travel, Letterkenny
Cyprus and Ireland, Carolyn established Liberty Travel
mainly at Dublin airport. From there, he progressed to
in Letterkenny. The agency has since grown in size
senior positions within both American holidays and
and reputation to become Donegal’s leading travel
needahotel.com . In 2005, Jeff, together with his father
agency. Her team of six staff has vast experience
Jim, established www.globehotels.com. In 2010, Jeff
and love to travel themselves, bringing a wealth
established the Best4travel group which now boasts
of knowledge to the client. Carolyn has embraced
10 retail shops, a home working division and an online
digital marketing and social media and identifies
team . The company currently employs close to 60
this as an important strategy for the way forward.
staff and is ample proof that people still need travel
Carolyn is the ‘Travel Section Expert’ for Highland
professionals to arrange their travel requirements.
Radio, Irelands leading independent radio station.
11
Best4travel group
Andrew Lynch
Dympna Crowley
Andrew opened his own agency in
Dympna began her career in travel,
Travel Advisors, Ratoath
2012. Travel Advisors is an award winning agency that offers a
Lee Travel, Cork
handwriting tickets and making reservations over the phone, teletext
professional and personal travel service. Andrew
and faxing were the order of the day. Despite the
has over 28 years’ experience within the Travel
long hours and crazy inquiries, she was bitten by
Industry and has worked for well-established travel
the travel bug, and her career path lead her from
companies over the years, gaining his wealth of
Ballincollig Travel to Budget Travel, and finally to Lee
knowledge. He enjoys travelling with his family
Travel in 2010. Over the years, working with Lee Travel,
and friends and has a big passion for sport.
she joined the Ballincollig Business Association, and
John Barrett
Magic Vacations, Kinsale Co. Cork
attended a multitude of travel related workshops and networking meetings. As time moved on, she also took on extra responsibilities at work, and was
A Marketing & French graduate, John
absolutely delighted to be appointed CEO of Lee
started his career with EuroDisney
Travel in February 2021. Keeping up or ahead of the
back in April 1992. Magic Vacations
ongoing challenges in travel means no two days
are an award winning agency based in Kinsale
are ever the same, but the trips and the people
and employ 8 people. An early adapter of Digital
you meet along the way makes it all worthwhile.
media, they launched their highly successful MVTV travel series in 2020. John loves to discover new destinations and is very passionate about travel. 12
Karen Thornton
marketing, but through his own travels his flame for
Karen has worked in the travel
partnership with Jackie Spain from JK Travel where
industry for over 28 years. She
they rebranded and launched Cloud9 Travel, one of
KT Travel, Dundalk
opened up KT Travel in 2005 and
the Midlands premier travel agencies. Like many, they
since day one has gone from strength to strength.
came back fighting after the pandemic with just two
Karen has excellent knowledge and experience and
staff and have since grown their Cloud9 family to five.
has a huge passion for travel and always looking
In his spare time Joe is heavily involved in charity work
for new angles to develop the business. Karen is
and is currently the Chairperson of ACT (Accessible
focused on worldwide trends in travel and leisure
Counselling Tullamore) a charity very close to his heart.
and is constantly searching for innovative methods to market the company. Karen has a policy of never standing still and every year our destinations and properties on offer are reviewed and updated.
Mark Clifford
O’Hanrahan Travel, Monaghan Mark is Managing Director of
Karen is so proud of all achievements and being
multi award winning O’Hanrahan
an award winning Irish owned Travel Agency
Travel in Monaghan Town having
and looks forward to what the future brings.
previously worked in Eugene Magee Travel, Dublin
Joe Connolly
Cloud 9 Travel, Mullingar
13
the travel world was reignited. Joe has since gone into
and Centre Travel, Dundalk. O’Hanrahan Travel is one of Ireland’s first travel agencies, established in 1925, and Mark & his team have driven the company from
Joe first entered the world of travel in
1993 to where it is today. Employing a staff of ten, a
2005 after studying travel & tourism
mix of both business & leisure from both Northern &
in GMIT, where he instantly fell in love
Southern Ireland presents its own unique challenges
with everything travel related. After a number of years
for this border agency. Mark has served previously
Joe decided to go back to education and took a break
on ITAA Retail Council, ITAA Board and is delighted
from travel. He went on to work in radio advertising &
to rejoin the Travel Centres Advisory board.
SPEAKERS Dan O’Brien
Chief Economist of the Institute of International & European Affairs
recipient of lifetime achievement awards in journalism and from the Irish travel industry, was formerly a sportswriter of the year and sports editor of the Sunday Tribune, was literary editor of the Irish Press,
Dan O’Brien is Chief Economist of
and was awarded honorary Colonel of Kentucky and
the Institute of International and
the freedom of Baltimore City in the USA. He provides
European Affairs, one of Ireland’s leading think tanks.
news and analysis on the travel and aviation industry
He is also Adjunct Senior Research Fellow at University
for broadcast media in Ireland and abroad.
College Dublin’s Geary Institute and a regular media commentator on economic and public policy issues. For three years from mid-2010 Dan was economics editor of the Irish Times, analysing and commenting
Russell Meara
Managing Director, Hablo
Russell has worked within the
on a wide range of Irish, European and global issues.
travel industry for over 25 years,
Prior to that he spent a dozen years, based in London
having starting his working life as a
and Geneva, as senior economist and editor at the
professional footballer at Southampton Football Club
Economist Intelligence Unit, an arm of The Economist
in the early 90’s. His industry journey started as a sales
Newspaper Group. Dan has also worked for the European
agent at Canadian Affair in 1997 and he has climbed the
Commission and as a consultant for the United Nations
ranks and held senior management positions within the
and Forfas, an Irish government in-house think tank.
sales, marketing and product departments for some of
Eoghan Corry
Editor, Air & Travel Magazine
the UK’s leading tour operators, before moving across to represent some of the largest destinations around the world at the travel & tourism communications agency,
Eoghan Corry has four decades of
Hills Balfour. He co-founded Hablo in September 2020
experience in the front line of news,
with the mission to create a digital home for the travel
sports and business journalism
industry, connecting us all directly for the very first time.
and is the author of more than 40 books. He is the
14
Jo Linehan
Clare de Bono
(Ireland) CLIMATE Supplement
UK and Associate Director of
Editor of the Sunday Times
Jo Linehan is the Editor of the
Sunday Times Ireland CLIMATE
Strategy & Transformation Clare joined Amadeus in
supplement and contributes as a sustainability
June 2016 having previously worked at STA
columnist to The Sunday Times Ireland Home
Travel Group where she headed up a number
magazine and Irish Country Magazine.
of global initiatives, including the rollout of
With over a decade of experience working as
multiple customer and trade facing air and hotel
a lifestyle journalist, she has contributed as a
booking engines, a new global rail platform,
travel writer for IMAGE Magazine, CARA Magazine,
and the opening of STA Travel in France. She has
Forbes, and The Sunday Times. Jo was also a
held a range of leadership positions including
travel writer for The Irish Times Weekend Magazine
General Manager of Operations and Systems
from 2017-2021. She has collaborated as a content
Development, General Manager of Global Air
creator for several travel destinations and
Solutions, and UK Operations Manager.
organisations, including recent collaborations
Clare joined the Amadeus UK and Ireland team
with The River Lee Hotel Cork and Fáilte Ireland.
as Director of Product & Innovation, before being
A passionate advocate for the Irish travel and
promoted to a global leadership role in Product
lifestyle sectors, and with an MSC in Management
Management for Amadeus Front Office Solutions.
for Sustainable Development from DCU, Jo uses
Clare was recently appointed to lead global
her writing and content creation platforms to
strategy and transformation projects at Amadeus,
help bridge the gap between industry and ESG
in addition to her role as UK Country Manager.
(Environmental Social Governance). Find out more about Jo and her work at jolinehan.com 15
Country Manager, Amadeus
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
The Controversial Allstars If you’ve lived in Ireland or the UK over the last 20 years, the odds are members of The Controversial Allstars have played in your house or car on your TV, Radio or computer. Frontman Dave Browne is best known as the lead singer and songwriter in PictureHouse, one of Ireland’s most loved bands. Having recently celebrated their 21st anniversary, Dave and PictureHouse’s contribution to Irish music has been celebrated widely. Vocalist Ingrid Madsen has been a contestant on The Voice TV show, and was also selected to sing with the Celtic Woman show. Completed by a band whose credits read like the who’s who of the soundtrack to your life, it’s no wonder that The Controversial Allstars are seen as the go to band for a host of well known venues and organisations throughout Ireland and beyond. 16
E N T E R TA I N M E N T
Cary Posavitz Cary has been performing professionally since the age of 17 in a variety of shows and venues all over the world. He spent four years performing in Riverdance. In the US, Cary starred in ‘Joseph and the Amazing Technicolour Dreamcoat, had lead roles in Cruisin’ ’57 for Dick Clark Productions, The Magnificent Gospel Showcase for Sky Television and has been a featured entertainer for Regency, Radisson and Celebrity Cruise Lines. Cary has also performed with Celtic Women for their PBS Television Special.
17
2022
Conference 2022
‘’Another fantastic couple of days. The hard work that you guys put into each conference is always evident – superb success! PS – The Agents were extremely engaging at the speed dating sessions – they all seemed very eager to learn (more so than ever before) – that’s feedback not only from us, but from the other suppliers that I spoke to…’’
18
‘’Thank you for including Visit Barbados in your conference, what a fantastic event from start to finish.’’
‘’It was once again a great event and a superb turnout from your agents.’’
19
Thanks a million for a fantastic conference. We really don’t know how you keep coming up with new ideas!’
20
“It was great to participate in the 17th Annual Travel Centres Conference. The event was very well organised, with a carefully considered mix of engaging content, plenty of time made available to meet customers and travel industry colleagues and excellent evening entertainment!’’
21
‘Huge congratulations to you all on an amazing event! Fantastic weekend from start to finish!’
hertz-gsa.ie
Local Visitor Attractions & DI SCOU NTS* 〉
Kildare Town Heritage Centre Free admission
〉
Kildare Village Designer Outlet
National Stud & Japanese Gardens 20% discount off admission
〉 〉
Naas Shopping Centre
Newbridge Silver Visitors Centre 20% off admission
〉
Straffan Butterfly Farm 10% off admission
〉
Kildare Maze
Family Pass €25, Adult €8, Children €6 Killashee Leisure Facilities: 25M pool
plus kiddies’ pool. Steam Room, Sauna, Exercise Room and weights area
23
Golf:
Nearby courses include: 〉 〉 〉 〉
The K Club
Craddockstown Naas
Dunmurray Springs
(16km) (1.5km) (1.5km) (28km)
*Contact front desk at Killashee Hotel for further details
Conference offers CONFERENCE SPA PACKAGE €85pp 50 Minute Treatment from the menu below 〉 〉 〉
50 min Facial
50 min Swedish massage*
50 min half massage half facial
All with access to the hydro pool *Limited places available, book early to avoid disappointment
For enquiries please contact the spa reception
tel: +353 45 895182 email: spareservations@killasheehotel.com Find out more about the Spa at www.Killasheehotel.com
24
Exhibitor Listing Accident & General
Etihad
Portuguese Tourist Board
Air Canada
Flexible Autos
Royal Caribbean
Aer Lingus ASM
Bedsonline
Blue Insurance Bookabed
Bradley International Airport
Breakaway
Celebrity Cruises Crystal Ski
Discover Travel
Do Something Different Dolphin Dynamics
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Expedia TAAP GTI Travel Hablo Hertz
Iberostar
Irish Ferries JetBlue
Melia Hotels
MSC Cruises Nebo Tours
New York Tourism & Conventions NFP
Princess Cruises Silversea Stuba
Sunway
The Travel Corporation Transferz
Travel Focus
Travel Marvel Tui
Turkish Airlines United Airlines
PREVIOUS
Conference Themes 2023 2022
Seeing the wood for the trees — an economists perspective
The Future of Work (Why your people strategy will be the most
important part of your business strategy 2021
No conference
2019
Travel Agent 2.0 — Rebooting the high street travel experience
2020 2018 2017
2016
No conference
SWOT: Strengths, Weaknesses, Opportunities, Threats Getting Back to Basics
Communication: Evolution or Revolution
2015 Back to the Future
2014 Navigating the Future 2013
How to keep your finger on the pulse of what’s critical —
both in your business and your life!
26
Speakers Over The Years Carole Smith, Syneo
Dave Pope, Status 4
Andy Harmer, CLIA
Michael Collins, Travel Media
Alan Masterson, TravTab
speaker and elite athlete
Pat Kennedy, eConcepts
Niall Strickland, Business Coach
Dr Mark Rowe, Lifestyle Medicine Sinead Reilly, Travelport
Brian Mallarkey, AO UK Ltd. Federica Galeotti, Tui Sharon Fleming,
Thompson Travel
Rosemary Meleady,
The Wedding Planner
John McGuire, Author & TV Personality
John McEwan, ABTA Chairman Dermot O’Brien,
Dermot O’Brien & Associates Hugh Jones, Sytorus
Gavin Fox, Fox Marketing
Ben Bouldin, Royal Caribbean Brian Whelan, Airhelp Anne Masterson, 27
Dublin Business School
Niamh Waters, Travel Media Stuart Byron, Royal Caribbean Michael English,
Celebrity Cruises
Leila McCabe, Tui Katie Noviss,
Holland America Line
Stephen Sands, Riviera Travel Peter Shanks, Silversea
Steve Williams, MSC Cruises
Stephen Winter, Ponant Cruises Declan O’Connell,
Performance Coach
Charlie Tuxworth, Innovate XL
Mr Dermott Jewell, Consumers Association of Ireland Juan Bueso,
European Consumer Centre Grainne Kelly, Bubblebum Russell Beck,
Leadership Development
Gerry Duffy, Motivational John Coburn, Praxis Now
Jilly McCullagh, Vat2Solutions Andy Cummins, CJV Digital Matt Sheridan,
Garda Fraud Bureau
Garry Barone, Smartbox
Sheona Gilsenan, Central Statistics Office
Clive Howard, E-Waterways Sonia Aste, Barclaycard
Fergus O’Connell, Deloitte
Anne Marie Graham, Healthforce Don O’Sullivan,
School of Marketing, UCC Dan O’Brien, Economist Russell Meara, Hablo
Jo Linehan, Editor, Sunday Times (Ireland) Climate supplement Clare de Bono, Amadeus