Agenda

Monday 27th October

Card image cap

Arrival and Networking  09:00 - 10:00



Card image cap

Opening  10:00 - 10:05

Scott will open the day, joined by Sally Beck, General Manager of the Royal Lancaster. Together they’ll set the tone for the event and highlight the venue’s sustainability initiatives, particularly around catering and the food offering.

  Scott Davies  CEO | ITM

  Sally Beck  General Manager | Royal Lancaster

Card image cap

Cutting Through the Noise: The Future Role of the Travel Manager  10:05 - 10:45

Corporate travel is no longer just about bookings and policy. Travel managers are being asked to integrate with finance, HR, procurement, security, and IT — all while navigating AI, payments, sustainability, and a flood of new suppliers. It’s overwhelming, and the noise can feel deafening.
 
In this energising opening session, Kintela Group partners Karen Hutchings and Stewart Harvey will show how travel managers can cut through complexity and reposition themselves as connectors, communicators, and strategic contributors inside their organisations.
 
Delegates will leave with:
 
A simple “toolbox” of four practical actions to apply straight away.
Fresh ways to prioritise amid overwhelming change.
Clear analogies and frameworks to reframe the role of managed travel within broader corporate infrastructure.
 
Suppliers will also hear how they can evolve to meet buyers’ new expectations: reducing noise, speaking the language of the wider business, and becoming true partners in governance.
 
This high-energy session will set the tone for the rest of the conference — moving the conversation from confusion to clarity.

  Martin Ferguson  Managing Partner | Kintela Group

  Karen Hutchings  Partner | Kintela Group

  Stewart Harvey  Partner | Kintela Group

Card image cap

AI - Trick Or Treat?  10:45 - 11:15

As artificial intelligence rapidly reshapes the corporate travel landscape, this session provides a practical and strategic overview of the technologies transforming the industry—from generative AI to agentic AI.

Framed through the lens of the travel buyer, the discussion will explore how these innovations aim to improve efficiency, reduce cost, enhance traveller experience, and solve longstanding pain points such as compliance to programmes. Delegates will be guided through a roadmap for identifying, evaluating, and integrating AI solutions relevant to their travel programmes—regardless of size or maturity.

The session will also tackle key considerations such as data security, internal stakeholder buy-in, and how to assess the right partners for implementation and support. By the end of the discussion, buyers will walk away with a clear understanding of what’s available today, how to prioritise what matters most to their organisation, and how to future-proof their programme in an evolving AI-driven environment.

  Sarah Whiting  Senior Director Global Solutions Engineering | BCD Travel

  Nick Dewey  VP, Global Sales, EMEA | BCD Travel

Card image cap

Networking Break  11:15 - 11:55



Card image cap

Transformation Through Mentoring  11:55 - 12:35

We all aspire to successful, fulfilling lives and careers. Hear from senior leaders and role models in the travel industry as they share how they have tried to optimise their careers and lives with the support of mentors reverse mentors, sponsors and cheerleaders. This essential session will change the way you think about what success looks like and what it takes to achieve it.

  Katie Garrahy  Global Travel Manager | Wood

  Oliver Moore  Director of Travel Agency Sales, EMEA | Enterprise Mobility

Card image cap

Keynote Speaker  12:35 - 13:10

The travel industry continues to shape shift and the commercial models that have powered its progress to date are changing. Consolidation in the TMC sector continues as pace but what does this mean for corporate buyers and suppliers alike ? Does culture still eat strategy for breakfast in today’s most successful travel businesses and what leadership is required to navigate an uncertain world and economy. Karen William’s inspirational journey and leadership style will be shared in a session that will provide some memorable takeaways for all.

  Karen Williams  CFO | Amex GBT

Card image cap

Networking Lunch  13:10 - 14:30



Card image cap

Building the Baseline - Inclusion & Wellbeing  14:30 - 15:05

Inclusion and wellbeing aren’t just initiatives. They’re the foundations of a thriving, high-performing culture. When people feel valued, safe, and supported, they don’t just belong, they excel.

Yet, many organisations still treat inclusion and wellbeing as separate or soft priorities, rather than as core contributors of business success. The result? Gaps in equity, missed opportunities for innovation, and untapped potential.

Delegates will leave this session with practical ways to boost their own wellbeing and impact, and the tools to help their organisations become a place where people and performance thrive together.

  Oliver Henry  Head of Inclusion and Wellbeing | easyJet

Card image cap

Comply With Me  15:05 - 15:35

Discover practical strategies to drive policy adoption and ensure consistent, company-wide travel compliance.

  Jason Dunderdale  Global Sales Director | Blacklane

  Alison Rogan  Head of Travel and Events | HSBC 

Card image cap

Networking Break  15:35 - 16:05



Card image cap

From Buzzword to Business Value  16:05 - 16:30

Sustainability as a strategic imperative’ continues to be highlighted as a priority, but are we really making progress in managing our impact and respecting the planet? For many, the drive to reduce the environmental impact of business travel is directly linked to their company’s appetite and focus—often shaped by how much business travel contributes to their overall emissions.

But it’s not just about corporate appetite. It’s also about having visibility of baselines, the ability to track progress, and the tools to communicate and implement a meaningful reduction plan.

The industry has seen many new entrants focused on supporting travel managers and programmes with technology and tools to reduce their environmental impact. But how can travel managers keep abreast of these options and understand which solutions are right for them?

  Philip Charm  CO-Founder & CBO | Clarasight

Card image cap

ITM Debate Series: The Future of Accommodation  16:30 - 17:10

In this lively ITM Debate Series session, industry leaders from the buyer and supplier sides go head-to-head on the future of the accommodation sector in business travel. The debate will focus on three key pillars:

Distribution & Commercial Models: How are dynamic pricing and new agreements reshaping managed travel?
Traveller Experience: Are we meeting traveller needs or adding friction in the name of cost and compliance?
Responsible Operations & Sourcing: Can the annual hotel RFP process deliver on sustainability, inclusivity, and duty of care?

Expect frank views on transparency, flexibility, and innovation versus legacy processes and control—asking whether today’s accommodation model is fit for the future or ripe for disruption.

  Kostas Ioannidis  Sales Director, Global Sales - Europe | IHG Hotels & Resortst

  Phil Stapleton  CEO & Co-Founder | Situ

Card image cap

Educational Close  17:10



Card image cap

Drinks Reception & Networking  17:10 Onwards


Including complementary drinks and food stations 
The above timings are British Summer Time (BST)
Note: this agenda is subject to change

Secure Your Seat

REGISTER NOW