Advantage Travel Partnership has revealed the speakers and presenters for its conference later this month.

The event, one of the first fully live and in-person overseas travel conferences since the pandemic began, takes place in Madeira from 29 April-2 May.

Saturday’s conference session will open with a keynote speech from travel journalist Simon Calder, who will be joined by Advantage Travel Partnership CEO Julia Lo Bue-Said and Airlines UK Chief Executive Tim Alderslade, to look at how the pandemic has changed the industry.   

Delegates will also hear from a panel of industry leaders, as they discuss ‘their view from the top’.

The five panellists include IATA UK and Ireland Country Manager Simon McNamara, Themis Advisory Director Joanna Kolatsis, Travel Trade Consultancy Director and Advantage Leisure Director Kelly Cookes.

Performer and TV personality David Meade is returning by popular demand to moderate the session and overall conference, while Chris Lewis, Founder and CEO of business travel data specialist Travelogix, will provide the statistics.

Ms Lo Bue-Said said: “This is the first in-person conference Advantage has held in two years and perhaps even more special than usual following the exceptional journey the industry has been on during this time.  

“The 2022 conference will be an opportunity to consider where we have been, what we have learned, and what the future holds, all while underscoring the importance of continued Government engagement for the sector.” 

The three-day conference will also include TedEx-style presentations from Thrust Carbon Founder Mark Corbett, Out There magazine Founder and Experientialist Uwern Jong and Bilal Nasim, Client Partner and Senior Trainer from mental welfare specialist Tough Cookie.  

The sessions will be brought to a close with a keynote delivered by Jason Bevan, who spent his career pushing the boundaries of creativity at Warner Bros and Disney, working on films ranging from Harry Potter to the DC Universe.

He will reveal the secrets of how the world’s most creative film studios continue to develop brave and innovative ideas and shares applicable tools and tricks to help inspire a creative environment in any type of organisation. 

Attendees will also have the opportunity to network with industry colleagues and friends and hear from supplier partners during a speed-dating session, Advantage’s popular dine-arounds, as well as the welcome party and farewell dinner.  

The conference will be held at the Savoy Palace Hotel, Madeira.