WELCOME TO ENGAGE!: THE TRAVEL BUYER FORUM DEVISED BY THE BUYER, ACCOMMODATION AND URBAN LIVING INNOVATORS HOSTED ALONGSIDE THE URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL 2021.
DRINKS EVENING TUESDAY 26th OCTOBER 2021 HOSTED AT TOWER SUITES, BLUE ORCHID HOTEL, LONDON AND HALF DAY MORNING OF 27th OCTOBER 2021 TOBACCO DOCK, LONDON
URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL: stay-live-work, brings together key corporate travel and accommodation personnel with a wide variety of accommodation innovators in a unique fun and thought provoking setting. Encouraging live debate, collaboration and the ability to do business.
WHY IS THIS EVENT DIFFERENT?
Devised by corporate travel buyers for corporate travel buyers
The unique format and 'collective environment' encourages the group sharing of problems, challenges and ideas - no keynotes, no panel discussions, but a series of 'of the moment' discussions to stimulate innovation, best practice and doing business.
Hosted by Mark Harris, Managing director, Travel Intelligence Network.
DURATION
Day One
18:00 - 20:30hrs Evening drinks reception at Tower Suites, Tower Bridge, Blue Orchid Hotels
Day Two URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL 2021, Tobacco Dock, London
SCHEDULE
08:30 – 09:25hrs - Breakfast in the hall of solutions
09:30 – 09:45hrs - Networking welcome: Mark Harris, Managing director, Travel Intelligence Network.
09:45 – 10:25hrs - Debate: Impact of the changing workplace on business travel.
With hybrid working now a reality, what will the impact on business travel and travel programs be of dealing with home-based workers. 57% of UK workers now want to choose where to work to be most productive. Will this mindset be amplified when employees consider the necessity of their business travel? How will this shape business travel in the short, medium and long term, will commuting become part of corporate travel policy and what opportunities does this create?
hosted by Nouran Zarroug, VP Global Strategic Partnerships, Altovita
10:25 – 11:00hrs - Discussion: Savings vs Duty of care vs sustainability vs Diversity and inclusion - what really matters in business travel now?
The pandemic has hastened a number of trends in business travel. With more companies committing themselves to zero emissions, travel buyers are working with environmental, social governance (ESG) colleagues to put sustainability is at the core of purposeful travel. Simultaneously, Diversity, Equality and Inclusion has also become a priority as businesses want to spend their money with diverse and inclusive companies that reflect their own values. How can travel managers balance demands from the fifth floor alongside traveller wellbeing, duty of care and minimising demand where possible. And can they achieve every goal?
hosted by Carol Fergus, Director – Global Travel, Meetings and Ground Transportation, Fidelity International
11:00 - 11:30hrs - Coffee break, 30 mins to meet, engage and do business in the exhibitor area
11.30 – 12.15hrs - Buyer briefing - Fragmentation of business accommodation – the choices, challenges and solutions
With an increasing array of alternatives to hotels, from short stay rentals, to home share, serviced apartments and corporate housing, travel buyers have never had so much choice and so much to understand. In this session we will look at the products that suit business travel, how they work and how to source them. How can the travel buyer navigate this market, what help do they need and, with so much confusion, will hotels remain the default option?
hosted by Jan Jacobsen
12:15 – 12:50hrs Open floor session – Trust me – I’m a travel manager
Discover how companies are encouraging their employees to travel again, the must haves and how TMCs and suppliers need to work collaboratively to rebuild traveller trust.
hosted by Karen Hutchings, Travel, Meetings & Events Services Leader, Ernst & Young Global Limited
12:50 – 14:00hrs - Close and Lunch
WHY ATTEND - this is your opportunity to:
- Promote your accommodation to a captive audience of travel buyers.
- Demonstrate thought leadership
- Share and update your knowledge and drive honest feedback
- Forge new relationships and business opportunities
- Look for your goals in 2022 and beyond
- Save time with everything you require 'all under one roof'
- Challenge the status quo and think differently
WHO SHOULD ATTEND: Travel buyers, agents and bookers; Hotel, Serviced apartment / extended stay, co-living, student housing and short term rental companies.
Thank you to the ENGAGE advisory board
No cost tickets are exclusively for travel buyers on an invite-only basis. Email Piers@internationalhospitality.media to apply
Limited ENGAGE non-sponsor attendee tickets are available to purchase for the duration. Those wishing to have 'access all areas' throughout URBAN LIVING FESTIVAL are required to purchase the ENGAGE + ticket(s). See ticket options here.
