The Advantage Travel Partnership is set to relaunch its Business Travel Symposium, marking its return after a five-year hiatus. The event is scheduled for February 6 at London’s BMA House. It will be the first time since 2019 that this flagship event for the UK business travel market will be held.
Event Overview and Attendees
Approximately 150 business travel professionals are expected to attend the symposium. Attendees will include representatives from travel management companies (TMCs) in the SME market and supplier partners from various sectors. The symposium aims to provide a comprehensive platform for discussions, presentations, and debates on key industry issues.
Presentations will explore trends with statistics from the latest Advantage Global Business Travel Review and Festive Road’s Macroscope predictions for the next decade. Another noteworthy session will focus on the need to book content from a wide range of unconnected sources, offering tips for managing client relationships.
Buyer Bootcamp and White Paper
A highlight of the event is the ‘buyer bootcamp,’ where experienced buyers will share their knowledge and experience. This session aims to formulate a successful partnership strategy. The insights gained from the bootcamp will culminate in a white paper to be presented at the Advantage Conference in Mexico in May.
According to the organisers, the white paper is expected to provide a robust framework for future industry practices. It’s anticipated to offer actionable strategies to enhance collaboration between buyers and suppliers.
Interactive Sessions and Keynote
Matthew Peake, public policy and government relations director at Trainline, will host an interactive session.
The session will examine what 2024 may hold for the business travel community through a political lens, considering implications from forthcoming US and UK elections.
The symposium will conclude with a keynote address by Priya Lakhani, an entrepreneur and global AI thought leader. Lakhani, the founding CEO of AI education technology firm Century, is also a UK government AI Council member who frequently appears in global media.
Statements from Organisers
Guy Snelgar, global business travel director at Advantage, remarked, “The symposium will be an emphatic way to kick off the year and set our business travel agenda for 2024.” He further stated that hosting such large-scale events underscores Advantage’s position as the leading consortium for business travel in the UK.
Sonia Michaels, head of business travel services and events at Advantage, highlighted, “We currently have a lot of exciting, young talent coming through in the business travel industry. We would like the symposium to be an opportunity for these future leaders to grow and learn.”
Sustainability Focus
The event’s venue, BMA House, has been chosen for its strong commitment to sustainability. This aligns with Advantage’s strategy to reduce its carbon footprint, a crucial aspect in its approach to all events.
Sonia Michaels reiterated the importance of sustainability, stating that this focus is integrated into all aspects of the symposium. This commitment is expected to set a benchmark for future industry events.
Future Prospects
The symposium aims to foster a sense of community and shared purpose among attendees. With a robust agenda addressing current and future challenges, the event promises to be a pivotal moment for the business travel sector.
The return of the Business Travel Symposium is expected to rejuvenate industry discussions and set the tone for significant progress in 2024 and beyond. The event’s comprehensive approach ensures that it will be a cornerstone for professionals aiming to navigate the complexities of the modern business travel landscape.
The return of Advantage’s Business Travel Symposium signifies a pivotal moment for the industry. With a focus on collaboration, emerging trends, and sustainability, the event promises to set a new standard for future business travel events.
As the sector looks towards 2024 and beyond, the insights and connections made at this symposium will undoubtedly play a crucial role in shaping its future direction.
