An overview of the Brave New World
It has been such a long time since we were able to gather all our industry clients, friends and colleagues in one room to share travel industry insights, debate the hottest topics and enjoy socialising during the networking session.
Many of our delegates were familiar with the past Elman Wall Xeinadin Group Travel Directors’ Summit and knew that it’s not only a great opportunity to listen to thought-provoking business sessions but also an opportunity to network with about 200 travel industry colleagues and friends.
As Elman Wall is now part of the Xeinadin Group, we decided that it would be a great time to bring back the Summit in a new and refreshed format under the Xeinadin brand, with a new name and location but with the same quality content and networking opportunities and a few other suprises along the way.
This year, our event took place from 3pm with speaker sessions starting at 4pm and networking over drinks and canapes in the Barbican conservatory from 7pm.
Our theme was Brave New World, a theme that perfectly encapsulated how we see the travel industry post-pandemic, celebrating its resilience and courage to take on new challenges, always adapting and driving forward.
Because we wanted our event to be an immersive one, we aimed to carry the theme throughout the whole day, from the registration, to the sessions and networking. We saw our Brave New World as a destination and we decided to take everyone on a journey.
Everyone was invited on the Xeinadin Airlines, with the Brave New World destination
We set up a check-in desk
…and a First class lounge
We couldn’t forget the duty-free bags!
All the contents of the duty-free bags were sourced from recycled or environmentally friendly materials. The notepad and pen supplied were made of recycled materials, the duty-free tote bags were manufactured from completely recyclable 80g non-woven polypropylene and our in-flight candy containers were made of eco-friendly compostable packaging.
Before our take-off, we had the co-pilot say a few words
And of course, the captain
Our in-flight entertainment was made of high calibre speakers who are experts in their fields.
The sessions kicked off with Vicky Philpott, a travel writer and adventurer, and the creator of vickyflipfloptravels.com. She’s an NCTJ journalist and has had her work feature in a number of publications such as Forbes and The Guardian. As well as her travel blog she has also written for The Independent and Lonely Planet.
Vicky shared her insights into what she is seeing in the industry through her followers, and how this has changed since 2019.
Our Sustainability keynote speaker was Susan Hooper, Founding Director of Chapter Zero, which equips chairs and non-executives to lead meaningful Board discussions on climate change. Susan is also Chair Designate of Inter.Earth, which is focused on carbon capture and sequestration, Chair of Tangle Teezer and Chair and a Trustee of Carbon Gap. She sits on the boards of Moonpig plc (NED and Chair Remuneration, ESG and workforce engagement), EUROWAG plc (NED and Chair of ESG and workforce engagement), and Uber UK. She is involved in several start-ups in carbon capture and sustainability and is an Ambassador for the World Travel & Tourism Council.
Susan delivered a truly inspiring session on what sustainability means in 2023, why we all need to act fast and how can the travel industry actively get involved.
The Panel session with Q&A was brilliantly covered by an extraordinary group of travel industry thought leaders and experts in their field:
- Kerry Golds – Chief Tour Operating Officer, UK, USA and Australia, Abercrombie & Kent
- Suzanne Horner – CEO, Gray Dawes Group
- Roberto Da Re – CEO, Travel Ledger
- Julia Lo Bue-Said – Chief Executive Officer, The Advantage Travel Partnership
- Joss Croft OBE – CEO, UKinbound
- Chair/Moderator: Claire Steiner, HR Business Partner, Elman Wall HR
Our internal experts and event partners also took the stage to deliver updates to our delegates.
Once we reached our destination, our delegates could let their hair down and enjoy socialising and canapes in the Brave New World.
How Xeinadin can support your travel business
Want to learn how you can work with an insightful, progressive business advisory and accountancy group and get involved at our next Leaders in Travel Summit?
Please fill in the contact form below and our specialist travel advisors will be in touch.
