ITM ‘empower’ conference highlights

A record number of almost 600 attendees gathered in Brighton for ITM’s annual conference on 24th & 25th April 2024. And they certainly experienced a sense of empowerment from the packed programme of insightful plenary and break-out sessions, inspirational keynote speakers, networking social events, wellbeing activities and sustainability initiatives which embodied this year’s ‘empower’ theme.

Here are just some of this year’s highlights…

·       Fascinating one-to-one interviews on stage with keynote speakers Stephan Baars, President and CEO, BCD Travel, Steve Cassidy, VP and Managing Director, Hilton UK & Ireland, and Bob Somers Senior VP Global Sales, Delta Airlines. All great sessions that had everyone listening intently.

·       Is our industry sustainable? A thought-provoking question-time session led by Thrust Carbon’s Mark Corbett. The clock is ticking…earth’s carbon budget for 1.5 degrees runs out in five years and two months’ time. ‘How much more are you prepared to pay to have a sustainable supply chain?’ ‘Will changing your seat on the plane help the bigger picture?’ ‘Should you educate, incentivise or ‘name and shame’ travellers?’ These were just some of the questions up for discussion.

·       Platform 24 – the largest panel session of the conference with four buyers and four suppliers discussing the impact of modern retailing and the challenges of embracing the changing tech landscape. The new tech landscape is already here, so what is stalling our industry’s move to modern retailing? The need for change management, collaboration and a shift from current pricing models were among the conclusions drawn by the panel.

·       Buyer Knowledge Exchange sessions, led by ITM Board Members, giving buyer attendees valuable opportunities to gather in closed groups, and share insights into the following topics: travel technology; distribution, content & OBT; embedding sustainable practices; accessibility; and meetings & events.

·       Plenty of ‘empowering’ wellbeing activities for delegates who were up bright and early each morning – including outdoor swimming in Brighton’s Sea Lanes, a morning run or walk along the seafront, and yoga/Pilates classes in the pod at the top of Brighton’s iconic i360.

·       empower Mission – buyers and sponsor partners worked together to support local charity BMECP Food Bank, by making up care packages containing essential household and non-perishable food items for people living in crisis in Brighton and Hove.

·       Break-out sessions on both afternoons covered topics such as: Empowering a Diverse Workforce; AI and I and Travel Data; Future of meetings; Modern Airline Retailing; and Future Proofing Travel Programmes; and ‘Welcome Onboard’ when Kate West MBE, Captain & Pilot Training Manager at easyJet shared her ‘empowering’ story as the world’s youngest commercial pilot.

·       Powerful messages from motivational speaker Richard McCann of the iCan Academy to wrap up this year’s conference….. "We all have the ability to empower someone to believe in themselves”, “Stretch your comfort zone, start small and grow…”, “There’s always a way back after every setback”.

·       A big focus on ensuring the conference has minimal impact on the environment – ITM partnered with EventCycle to repurpose and redistribute as many items as possible. Lanyards were all recycled, the main stage back-drop was upcycled to make tote bags for the homeless, and table floral centrepieces were donated to a local nursing home. Delegates also took part in a beach clean on Brighton’s seafront; and ATPI Halo, global TMC Direct ATPI’s sustainability measurement, reduction and offset service neutralised carbon emissions for delegates' travel to and from the event.

·       Last but very much not least, over £20K was raised for the Oesophageal Patients Association (OPA) this year’s chosen charity for the conference, thanks to generous donations from sponsors and delegates during a gala dinner prize draw and auction.


After two consecutive years in Brighton, next year ITM will be heading to Wales for the 2025 Spring Conference, which takes place on 29th & 30th April at The Celtic Manor Resort. Look out for registration details, which will be announced later this year.