Focus Champs Programme 2024 Level Up

LEVEL UP FOCUS CHAMPIONS CONFERENCE 2024

WELCOME

I am honoured to be here at my first Focus Champions Conference only a week into my position as CEO of Focus Travel Partnership.

For those of you who don’t know me, I actually celebrated 35 years of working in the Business Travel industry on my first day with Focus! My career includes roles with Thomas Cook, Lonsdale Travel, Capita and most recently Agiito, covering all aspects of the Business Travel Industry from sales, commercial, operations, change management, and niche market ops, so basically... I like to think that ‘I get it. I understand the significance of every single role within a TMC and also how important our supplier network is.

We are in an ever-changing industry and keeping up with market updates, customer expectations, and technical advances is key. I know the Focus central team have been working hard to deliver you an informative, engaging and relevant agenda over the next couple of days, plus a few fun surprises along the way!

Focus Champs has the excellent reputation of being the only conference in our industry created for and aimed at operational teams, and we are extremely proud of this. These events cannot go ahead without the support of our superb supplier network and their kind sponsorship, so a huge thank you to all of our sponsors.

This is your conference, I am delighted to be part of it, and Im looking forward to meeting you all.

Steve Banks CEO, Focus Travel Partnership

WELCOME

It is with immense pleasure that I extend a warm welcome to you on behalf of British Airways at the prestigious Focus Champions conference. As we gather, amidst an atmosphere buzzing with anticipation, I am thrilled to share some of the thrilling developments taking place within our airline.

British Airways is proud to redefine air travel with new seats and cabin interiors on our next-gen Airbus A320neo and A321neo, plus eight new aircraft joining our fleet this year. We are also launching a brand new First Suite, debuting on our Airbus A380 aircraft by the end of 2025. This luxurious sanctuary in the skies will redefine opulence, offering our passengers an unparalleled level of indulgence and comfort. In addition to these exciting developments, British Airways is committed to expanding our global network. From launching new services to Abu Dhabi, Agadir, and Izmir, to resuming flights to Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, and Jeddah later this year, we are dedicated to providing our passengers with unrivalled connectivity and convenience. Furthermore, we are investing in enhancing our airport lounges. From a new, larger lounge in Dubai to refreshes for our lounges in Lagos, Seattle, Heathrow, and Edinburgh, we are committed to ensuring that every aspect of the travel journey is seamless and enjoyable for our customers.

At British Airways we recognise the immense value of the Focus Travel Partnership, together to network, learn and innovate. This incredible event provides a platform for TMC Partners and Supplier Partners to connect, collaborate, and inspire one another. As we embark on this journey together, I invite you to immerse yourself in the excitement and opportunity that awaits at the Focus Champions conference. Together, let us pave the way for a brighter, more innovative future for the aviation industry.

Thank you for joining us.

Karim Ismail

Head of Business Channels, British Airways

THANKYOU

S RS

EVENINGSPONSORS

HEADLINE SPONSORS

CHAMPS CHALLENGE SPONSORS

BREAKOUT

SPONSORS

TEAMBUILDINGSPONSORS

LUNCH&BREAKSPONSORS

WIN TICKETS TO MEXICO Champs Challenge

A huge thank you to Aeromexico who are offering 2 return flights to Mexico including taxes!

‘Champs Challenge.’ All you need to do is take some fabulous images, share them on LinkedIn and tag Aeromexico and Focus Travel Partnership with hashtags #AeroMexico #FocusBT #FocusChamps #FutureProof. The winner will be chosen by Rolando Gonzalez of Aeromexico at the end of the conference. Don’t forget to go and say hi to Rolando, he might even have some fun items to help you take a winning picture!

NEEDTOKNOW

WHERE & GETTING THERE

Focus Champions Conference is taking place entirely at the De Vere Beaumont Estate in Old Windsor.

Address: De Vere Beaumont Estate, Burfield Rd, Old Windsor, Windsor SL4 2JJ. what3words address: ///intro.showed.dinner

Taxis: If you require transportation from train stations, you can pre book a taxi through our partner Jryney for a discounted price, please visit

https://cms.jyrney.com/focusconference

Flying: Located around 15 minutes from T5 at Heathrow, you can pre book a taxi through Jyrney, please check if you can partner with a colleague and follow the instructions above.

Public Transport: The nearest train station is Egham. Which is approximately 21 minutes from London Waterloo. Egham is located a 7 minute drive away from the venue or 30 minutes on the number 8 bus.

Driving: Complimentary parking is available across numerous car parks at the De Vere Beaumont Estate.

NEEDTOKNOW ACCOMMODATION

If you have booked your accommodation through Focus, your room at the De Vere Beaumont has already been paid for on a bed & breakfast rate, guests must settle any extras themselves. Check-in will be available from 3pm on day of arrival, and on Tuesday guests are asked to check-out prior to the conference start and either put large cases/items in cars or with concierge.

DRESS CODE

Sunday evening: Cowboy boots, denim, plaid shirts encouraged as you join us for the JetBlue Hoedown welcome evening. Relaxed wear if you don’t own country & western attire is also fine!

Monday conference: We want you to feel comfortable and focussed throughout the conference, so please wear something to allow this. The team building session is outside so we suggest wearing flat shoes and avoid wearing skirts or dresses.

Monday evening: Dress to impress!!

Tuesday conference: We want you to feel comfortable and focussed throughout the conference, so please wear something to allow this.

Please no sportswear throughout (trainers are allowed)

NEEDTOKNOW

CHAMPS CHALLENGE

Win tickets to Mexico! All you need to do is take some fabulous images. Share them on LinkedIn and tag Aeromexico and Focus Travel Partnership with hashtags #Aeromexico #FocusBT #FocusChamps #FutureProof. The winner will be chosen by Rolando of Aeromexico at the end of the conference.

HOUSE RULES

There are other events taking place on site at the same time as ours, so please ensure you check signage and the programme. Please also listen to the housekeeping announcements to ensure you are in the correct place.

If you need urgent assistance please contact Dani Ives +44 (0) 7818 145554 EMERGENCY

AGENDA9JUNE

1500-1800 Check-in and registration will be open. Taking place at a dedicated Focus Registration and Check-in Desk.

Please look out for the Focus Team near the main reception.

1800-2200 Join us for the JetBlue hoedown with drinks, music, street food, networking, and a welcome to remember Outdoor stretch tent & lawns

White House Corridor

AGENDA10JUNE

0830-0855 Tea & Coffee will be available

0900-0930

Welcome from James Parkhouse and introducing Steve Banks, followed by headline sponsors British Airways

0930-1035 1035-1100 Tea & Coffee Break

Ice Breaker and Keynote - ‘The Best Version of your Authentic Self’ with Sonia McNamara

1100-1330 Supplier Showcase and Networking

1330-1415 Lunch, kindly sponsored by TAP Air Portugal

AGENDA10JUNE

1415-1700 Team Building, kindly sponsored by Lufthansa Group, United Airlines & Air Canada

1700-1800 Free time and freshen up for gala dinner

1800-1900

Pre-Dinner Drinks reception ‘Focus Fizz’

1st time Champs are invited to meet each other and some of the Board

The Parlour and Outdoor Lawns Front Lawns

1900-2230

Dabbers at the ready, get ready to have some Bingo fun and maybe win some prizes!

Kindly sponsored by Qatar Airways

The Chapel

Air Canada offers non-stop flights from London, Edinburgh and Manchester to Canada. Travellers can choose from three classes of service on board, including Signature Class featuring fully lie-flat pods, a range of priority services, lounge access and award-winning in-flight entertainment with 2,500+ hours of movies, TV shows, music, podcasts and more.

Learn more at aircanada.com

AGENDA11JUNE

0830-0855 Tea & Coffee available

0900-0915 Welcome back

0915-1000 1000-1030

An ‘Audience with the Focus Board’

‘Own your Superpowers’. We welcome Scott Wylie, Chief Technology Officer at TripStax to discuss neurodiversity in the workplace and his recent diagnosis of ADHD

1030-1100

‘Sustainability- The Sky Shouldn’t be the Limit’. We hear from Marcel Schaefer of Lufthansa Group’s

Global Sustainability team about the future of environmentally conscious travel and what they are doing to make business travel and our planet greener

1100-1120 Wellness break with Laura Currie kindly sponsored by Emirates

AGENDA11JUNE

1130-1200 David Bell of London Gatwick Airport shares how Gatwick have improved their customer experiences along with their innovative future plans

1200-1330 TMCs - Follow your Focus leader as you visit three breakout sessions with Virgin Atlantic & Delta Air Lines, Focus Innovation & ProCon Solution, and SAS Scandinavian Airlines. Group numbers are on name badges.

Suppliers - Please stay in the Hampton Suite for your closed session with Steve Banks and the Focus Board of Directors.

1330-1415

Lunch, kindly sponsored by ITA Airways

1415-1500 Sonia McNamara - Gratitude Workshop

1500-1545 Focus Awards with Steve Banks and Bob Schumacher. Aeromexico Champs Challenge announcement. Followed by wrap up.

SPEAKERS

Steve Banks, CEO, Focus Travel Partnership

Steve joined Focus on 3rd June and has 35 years of corporate travel experience in senior roles. With an early career at Thomas Cook Travel Management, Lonsdale Travel, purchased by Capita plc in 2005, subsequently purchasing and consolidating Harry Weeks Travel, BSI, Expotel and NYS Corporate and rebranding as Agiito in 2021. Steves career has included leading their Business Development and Customer Experience teams, moving to Chief Commercial Officer in 2020, with overall responsibility for account management, sales, marketing, product and partnerships, transferring to Commercial Director for new owners Clarity Business Travel. Steve leads, motivates and mentors teams to meet and exceed company profitability targets, industry representation and engagement, and is a passionate supporter of corporate travel and the role of a TMC. He brings an extensive executive-level insight in commercial strategy and business development through customer retention, sales, marketing, and proposition to drive business growth and market share.

Sonia McNarmara, Speaker & Moderator

Sonia is an award winning business coach and trainer who specialises in helping organisations to feel energised, empowered and to thrive by harnessing their individual super powers. She works with a range of organisations, from Global Travel Collection to L’Oréal, Swiss Re and many more. Her whole ethos is to put yourself “At Cause”, which means in charge of your mindset, regardless of what curveballs come your way.

James Parkhouse, NED, Focus Travel Partnership

James was appointed as a Non-Exec Director of Focus in January 2024. Prior to moving into industry consulting roles James was the CEO of Agiito for 15 years and oversaw its growth to one of the largest and most respected business travel, meetings and events companies in the UK. James stepped back from Agiito in 2023 to move into business travel advisory services. He also served on the boards of GlobalStar and the BTA – in the latter with a particular focus on Accommodation and Rail industry policy and relations.

Karim Ismail, Head of Business Channels, British Airways

Karim is a finance graduate from Cass Business School who embarked on his professional journey through the BA Leaders for Business programme. With a versatile skill set honed across various business functions, he now Heads up the UK Business Channels. Beyond his professional life, Karim indulges his passions for music, tennis, and travel.

SPEAKERS

Bob Schumacher, Chair, Focus Travel Partnership

Bob joined the Focus Travel Partnership board of directors in January 2024, bringing almost 30 years experience in senior sales and management positions in the aviation sector. Bob was previously Regional Director Sales for United Airlines, in this role which he assumed in 2011, he was responsible for United’s B2B marketing activities in Europe, as well as trade contact centres.Bob was also Senior Director UK & Ireland for Continental Airlines, a position which he held from 2004 having joined in 1994 as Airport Business Manager at Gatwick and progressing to Director Passenger Sales UK & Ireland .In 2023 Bob stepped down after nine years as Chair of the Board of Airline Representatives, BAR-UK.

Cilla Goldberger, MD, ABT-UK & Focus Board Driector

Cilla has over 27 years experience in Travel Management having started her career in travel in Israel. Upon relocating back to the UK in 2001 she established the UK office of Amsalem Business Travel, stepping up to MD four years later with overall responsibility for the EMEA operations.Twenty three years on, ABT-Global now operates in 7 countries around the globe with over 400 employees. In 2012, ABT-UK joined the Focus Travel Partnership with Cilla joining the Focus board in 2015.

Cilla has a passion for tackling systemic problems in society and has undertaken community engaged projects such a Crisis at Christmas and The Felix Project.

Clare Collins, MD, CT Business Travel & Focus Board Director

After ascending through the CT Business Travel over a period of eight years, Clare became MD Corporate Travel and a shareholder of the Group in 2012. In her capacity as Co-owner and MD for Corporate Travel, Clare oversees three global corporate brands; Business Travel, MICE, and Trade Missions, managing the successful rollout of their services on a local and global scale in areas such as sales, implementation, account management, technology and customer service. She is also integral to the smooth running of the organisation, spearheading the HR function, managing all corporate governance and compliance across ISO, and gaining valuable accreditations. Clares efforts to realise the potential of staff and improve standards has led to a dynamic company culture and the successful attainment of the Investors in People accreditation for over 10 years. Clare is passionate about representing the next generation and works closely with likeminded industry experts to guide the strategic direction of Focus.

Mark Colley, MD, Sunways Business Travel & Focus Board Director

Following a City-career in investment banking and global money markets, Mark formed a hospitality company operating a hotel and restaurant and going on to win a coveted Michelin Star. In 2015, Mark moved to the family owned Sunways Travel, formed by his father in 1973 and run by his late brother. Since taking the helm, Mark has continued to steer the company successfully in both the leisure and corporate travel sectors, developing their technology and digital capabilities, as well as building upon the impressive corporate customer base. Mark has worked closely within Focus as a member of the Technology Steering Group since 2016, collaborating on many of the technology solutions that are available to the Partners today.Mark is a driving force in carbon positive travel having launched Sunways Sustainable Business Travel in 2021. This initiative enables travellers to calculate and offset the CO2 of their trips and is further supported by Sunways’ promise to donate a tree for every flight they take – a commitment to the positive impact travel can have.

SPEAKERS

Marcel Schäfer, Corporate Responsibility Manager, Lufthansa Group

Marcel leads corporate responsibility in the customer & commercial department of LHG with a focus on CO2 compensation strategy and Customer motivation for climate contribution. He joined Lufthansa Group in 2015 with an educational background in Meteorology. Marcel held previous roles with Eurowings and Lufthansa Airlines in the areas of digitalisation, personalisation and customer data analytics, moving to his current role as Corporate Responsibility Manager in 2023 from his position as Sustainability Manager of Eurowings.

Scott Wylie, Chief Technology Officer, TripStax

David Bell, Senior Airline Business Development Manager, London Gatwick Airport

David is the Senior Aviation Business Development Manager at London Gatwick and focuses on attracting new airlines and growing capacity offered by existing airlines. With over 22 years of experience within the aviation industry, David has worked across airlines and airports globally, including easyJet, Qantas, IAG, Sydney Airport and Venice Airport, specifically in the area of route development.

Scott has vast experience of IT and technology in the business travel sector gained over his extensive 30-year career, in roles ranging from Systems Manager and Technical Director, to Group Director of Software Development and CTO. Companies Scott has worked for include Seaforths Travel, TelMe Online Ltd, PhoneLink PLC and ATPI. Throughout his career, Scott has been responsible for building award-winning new applications as well as continuously developing and scaling existing technology solutions. His knowledge of all aspects of travel technology is second to none. At TripStax, he oversees a large tech team and is responsible for the continued innovative development of the companys tech proposition.

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Focus

Champions Conference 2024 Supplier Partner Attendees

Keith Tenn

Aer Lingus

Virginie Bernier

AFKL

Sarah Hurst

Air Europa

Rolando Gonzalez

Aeromexico

Andrew Edmonds

Air Canada

Lee Wakefield Air India

Louise Wates Amadeus

Pedro Matos

Atriis Technologies

Karim Ismail

British Airways

Angela Weston Atriis Technologies

Sophie Morton

Avanti West Coast

Matt Warwick

British Airways

Claire Hodge Air Transat

Adil Qureshi Amadeus

Naeem Shah

British Airways

Zareen Meherji

British Airways

Chai Phianphithak

Cathay Pacific

Focus Champions Conference 2024 Supplier Partner Attendees

Judy Ponnampalam

Cathay Pacific

Nadia Spita

Gulf Air tbc

Hainan Airlines

Vicky Lebeau

Chapman Freeborn

Louise Perrin

Etihad

Jack Dow Grapevine

Kate Fitzgerald Emirates

Catherine Grennel-Whyte Finnair

Moni Hanspal

Emirates

Cameron Harding

Japan Airlines

Matilda Goes ITA Airways

Sue Robinson Greengage Solutions

Catherine Lornie JetLogic

Maris Kuklis

JetBlue Airways

Daniel Price Jyrney

Focus Champions Conference 2024 Supplier Partner Attendees

Macarena Jorquera

LATAM Airlines

Christopher Szumilo

LOT Polish Airlines

Simon Cook

Luxair Luxembourg Airlines

Nicolai Meldal

Procon Solution AS

Anthony Woodall

London Northern Eastern Railway LNER

Kevin Young

Lufthansa Group

Jas Gill Oman Air

Henrik Lykke Hansen

Procon Solution AS

Amandeep Marway

Qantas Airways

Matt Pittman

Qatar Airways

Aurora Kataroshi

Saudia Airlines

Charlotte Ting

Singapore Airlines

Craig Webber

Qantas Airways

Svetlana Wolff

SAS - Scandinavian Airlines

Howard Campbell

Saudia Airlines

Jane Tyson-Moore

Singapore Airlines

Focus Champions Conference 2024 Supplier Partner Attendees

Mildred Sanzhez

TAP Air Portugal

Andy OBrien Travelport

Becci Dawson United Airlines

Nicki Vlachaki

Travelport

Aymeric de Bergevin

TripStax

Artiom Seveliovas

Atriis Technologies

Adam Green

TripStax

Reyyan Babali Turkish Airlines

Gerald Brace

Virgin Atlantic / Delta Air Lines

Sanjay Maru

Vistara

Martina Coogan United Airlines

Ian Chacko Vistara

Peter Baker International Rail

Focus Champions

Conference 2024 TMC Partner Attendees

Alex Dufait

Simplexity Travel

Ameeta Bablani

Lupus Travel

Alastair Ruffman

Norseman Travel

Amanda Little

ABT-UK

Brooke Martin

The Travel Co Edinburgh

Ashley Holtom

arrangeMY

Beth Cole The Travel Professionals

Billy Corps

MIDAS Travel Management

Bruce Canty

Business Travel Centre

Caroline Runciman

DP & L Travel Management

Chandima Fernando Frosch Travel

Dave Chalcraft

Dawson & Sanderson

Caroline Elliker Wotton Travel

Caryn Power

ISON Travel

Daen McCulloch

Total Management UK Ltd

David Hugo Mann Link Travel Ltd

Focus Champions Conference 2024 TMC Partner Attendees

Eliza Campbell

Meon Valley Travel

Gary Rayner

Omega World Travel

Hannah Skipper

Total Management UK Ltd

Helen Wilson

DP&L Travel Management

Simon Clancy

Harridge Group

Ian Tattersall

CT Business Travel

Jorge Herrera Capable Travel

Vickie King

Fred Olsen Travel

Vicky Shaw arrangeMY

Iryna Krutiy

Gem Travel

James Diaz Travel Planet

James Forfar

Traveltrust

James O’ Donnell

Eton Travel

James Gilmour

Review Travel

Junayd Kassam

Total Management UK Ltd

Verity Bond

Inntel

Akilah Linton

Fello Travel

Sarah Bardell

BS Executive Travel

Sarah Holden

Norad Travel

Samantha Nolan Sunways Travel

Focus Champions Conference 2024 TMC Partner Attendees

Karl Taylor

Wayte Travel Management

Kelly Packington

Global Travel Management

Lee Ward

CT Business Travel

Lisa Cook

Baldwins Travel Ltd

Oliver Thompson

Marine Travel

Kelly OConnor

Forward Travel

Mathew Cook

ITG Business Travel

Laura Mckeith

EFR Travel

Lina Bruzaite

S&N Pickford

Maureen Hamilton

Travel Bureau

Natascha Svaganovic

Travelharbour

Lou Braeger

Chartwell Travel

Stephen Hutchinson

Beyond Business Travel

Neil Backhouse

QA Travel - Aberdeen

Tabassum Shabbir

Easy Travel & Tours

Mathew Richardson Travelperk UK IRL

Natalie Mason

Norad Travel

Natasha Inglis

CT Business Travel

Oksana Vashchenko

Berkeley Travel LTD

Focus Champions Conference 2024

Focus Team & Board

of

Directors

Steve Banks

CEO Bob Schumacher Chair

Dani Ives

Commercial Manager

Tony Edge

Business Solutions Manager

Hazel Dawson

Commercial Manager

Laura Currie Business & Fares Suppo

Barry Higgott

Technical Support Exec

Victoria Weaving-Shorrocks

Implementation Exec

Joanne Emerson PR & Marketing Exe

Lisa Moseling

Commercial Support Exec

James Parkhouse

Non-Exec Director

Cilla Goldberger

ABT UK & Focus Board

Clare Collins

CT Business Travel & Focus Board

Mark Colley

Sunways Travel & Focus Board

Who are FOCUS TRAVEL PARTNERSHIP? A little reminder...

With over 24 years’ in the business travel sector and a current membership of 54 TMC Partners, we are the UK’s leading business travel consortium for the independent SME.

Our buying power of over £1 billion means we can negotiate the best deals with suppliers, whilst our innovative technology developments enable TMC Partners to stay ahead of the competition and future proof their businesses.

The Focus Travel Partnership is TMC Partner–owned, creating an ethos of a collaborative organisation run by the Partners for the Partners. Our Board of Directors is made up of TMC business leaders and three others (CEO, Non-Exec Chair, NonExec Director).

We operate as a not-for-profit business model, meaning everything we do is for the benefit of our TMC Partners.

At Focus, we move business travel forward.