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Business Sessions

This year’s business sessions running on 19 and 20 October will be moderated by Huw Edwards, known to millions as presenter of the Ten O’Clock News.

This year’s business theme will be Drivers of Change, which reflects the volume of change globally, nationally, economically and socially.
Every presentation, specialist forum, master class and discussion group will have this theme at its heart to help delegates understand the drivers of change in the world, market place, business and environment. 

Speakers

A number of insightful speakers are being lined up to speak at this year’s Convention including:

• A ‘trend spotter’, ‘digital native’ and formally nominated a ‘Young Global Leader’ at the World Economic Forum, 26 year old Josh Spear will speak to ABTA delegates on some new ways for companies to harness the digital world. With his own consultancy in New York, Josh can give insight into what makes certain things catch on, and how to position products and services to capitalize on fast moving trends. 

• Leo Johnson, brother of Boris, whose company Sustainable Finance was bought out by PwC in 2009, specialises in making sense of sustainability. His session will look at the mega trends which will impact business performance from climate change, to price shocks in water, oil and food,  to shifts in consumer preference. He will take a look in the crystal ball to see what type of sustainable companies could be winners and losers of the future.

The Cruise Forum

The Cruise Forum will return, which will be co-ordinated in association with ACE. A full afternoon will be devoted to this on Tuesday 19 October and a ship visit onboard Seabourn Sojourn on Thursday 21 October.

The Travel Marketing Forum

This year’s Convention will include a new Travel Marketing Forum, which will be organised n association with the Chartered Institute of Travel Marketing’s Travel Industry Group (CIMTIG). With such a wide range of marketing disciplines now available, this forum will highlight ways that travel companies can gain a marketing edge.

Excursions

This year's Travel Convention gives delegates a perfect opportunity to rediscover Malta. A selection of different excursions will operate on Saturday 16, Sunday 17, Monday 18 and Thursday 21 October. These include:

- Mdina, the Silent City
- The Three Cities
- Valletta, The Capital City
- Gozo, Malta’s sister island
- Jeep Safari in Gozo
- Diving Experiences
- Hypogeum Tour

Register online before 19 July to get a discount at http://www.thetravelconvention.com/ and for details on hotels and flights.

For further information contact:
Sean Tipton, Senior Press Officer, tel: 020 3117 0513,
Frances Tuke, Public Relations Manager, tel: 020 3117 0514, Mobile 07850 712 325,
Out of Hours:  Contact the Duty Press Officer via pager: 07659 190 987
E-mail: press@abta.co.uk
Web: www.abta.com
 
Notes to Editors
ABTA – The Travel Association was founded in 1950 and currently has 1,351 members with 5,700 outlets. Members include travel agents, tour operators and support services right across the spectrum from small family-owned businesses to the largest tour operators. 

ABTA is the largest travel association in the UK and its members provide 90% of the foreign package holidays in the UK as well as selling millions of independent travel arrangements. 

In 2008 ABTA merged with the Federation of Tour Operators [FTO], thereby cementing its role as the leading travel association and increasing benefits for both ABTA and FTO members. Both the ABTA brand which is highly recognised by consumers and the FTO brand which is well known in destinations will be retained.

As part of its comprehensive package of services to members, ABTA, as a non-party political organisation works to represent the interests of its Members to government and key opinion formers in the UK and EU.