FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Welcome We are delighted to welcome you to the beautiful city of Belfast, rich in culture, history and a good craic. We have an amazing couple of days planned for you with a fulfilling agenda including immersive panel discussions, innovation, news, and some surprises along the way. We also hope you enjoy experiencing the carefully chosen local event venues - The Europa Hotel, infamously the most bombed hotel in Europe and host to President Clinton and his first lady Hilary Clinton in 1995, the Crumlin Road Gaol dating back to 1845 when women and children were held within its walls through to the political segregation of republican and loyalist prisoners, and the Titanic Belfast which is built on the site of the Harland and Wolff shipyard where the Titanic was constructed and mirrors the shape of ship’s prow. This is your conference, we have designed it based on feedback and suggestions from our Focus Steering Groups and Focus TMC business owners & leaders, full event details are on the following pages. Enjoy!
Abby Abby Penston CEO Focus Travel Partnership
Welcome On behalf of Visit Belfast it gives me great pleasure to welcome you all to Belfast, and to the historic and iconic Europa Hotel for Focus Partner’s Conference 2023. May I first take this opportunity to thank Focus Travel Partnership for putting their trust in Team Belfast and NI to deliver what I am sure will be the best conference to date. Over twenty four years ago, when Belfast City Council set up Visit Belfast, we realised that attracting a growing number of conferences and events would not only support a growing tourism industry but it would actually act as the catalyst for urban regeneration. Since then, tourism has become one of the City’s success stories and a key driver in the city’s renaissance, creating and supporting jobs and driving economic growth, social change and urban regeneration across the city region. Recently ranked number 11 in the Most Sustainable Destinations in the World, continued investment has enabled our city to flourish and I’m proud to say Belfast today is a forward thinking, vibrant, young city, able to host conferences and events from across the globe. Home to two world class universities and with one of the fastest growing knowledge economies in the world, Belfast is now recognised as a powerhouse of innovation & talent. For those of you who are visiting for the first time, I hope that you will get the chance to explore our great city. I know you have a busy programme ahead so I would just like to finish up by wishing you every success in your conference. I have no doubt the learnings and knowledge exchange will motivate and inspire far beyond this week in Belfast and we hope to see you all back with friends and family very soon! On behalf of Visit Belfast, Belfast City Council, Tourism Northern Ireland and all our industry partners, thank you for choosing Belfast.
Gerry Lennon CEO, Visit Belast
Thank you to our sponsors
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Headline Sponsors
Gala Dinner Sponsors
Welcome evening Sponsors Registration tool Sponsors
Coffee and Lunch Sponsors
Need to know Where & getting there There are various venues throughout the conference so please listen to house keeping announcements.
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Addresses Welcome Evening - New Orpheus Bar (Above Harps Bar), 35 Hill St, Belfast BT1 2NB Preferred Accommodation - Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AP Main Conference Day - The Grand Ballroom, Europa Hotel, Great Victoria St, Belfast BT2 7AP Gala Dinner - Crumlin Road Goal, 53-55 Crumlin Rd, Belfast BT14 6ST Focus Innovation Day - The Titanic Suite, Titanic Belfast, 1 Olympic Way, Queen's Road, Titanic Quarter, Belfast, BT3 9EP Parking Valet Parking at the Europa is £25. Car parking is available at the Great Northern Car Park at a discounted rate of £14 for 24 hours (one entrance / exit). Alternatively car parking can be found at Value Car Parks which is situated on Grosvenor Road (two minutes walk). Rail The nearest train station is Great Victoria Street, which is approximately 1 minute walk from the Europa hotel. Air The nearest airport is Belfast City airport, followed by Belfast International Airport. We are running coach transfers from and to these airports, please see the separate section on transfers. Otherwise there are buses from the city centre to both airports.
Need to know Where & getting there - coach transfers Airport transfers 21st November Belfast International Airport (BFS) to Europa Hotel departing at 12:00, 14:00, 16:00 & 17:05 Belfast City Airport (BHD) to Europa Hotel departing at 13:00, 13:45, 14:50 & 16:50 At Belfast International Airport turn right and head towards the coach parking area where the J&K branded coach will be waiting. At Belfast City Airport the J&K branded coach will be parked almost by the front door towards the lefthand side. 23rd November Titanic Belfast to Belfast International Airport departing at 16:00 & 18:30 Titanic Belfast to Belfast City Airport at 15:15 & 16:45
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Need to know Other coach transfers 21 November - Welcome Evening Europa hotel to New Orpheus Bar at 19:00 New Orpheus Bar to Europa Hotel at 22:00 & 22:30 Please note if you prefer to walk this will take approximately 10 minutes 22 November - Gala Dinner Europa Hotel to Crumlin Road Goal at 19:00 Crumlin Road Coal to Europa Hotel at 22:30 & 23:00 Please note that walking is not advised, and will take over 35 minutes 23 November - Tech & Innovation Day Europa Hotel to Titanic Museum at 09:30 Please note if you wish to walk this is approximately a 40 minute walk
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Need to know Hotels All guests should have booked their own accommodation. The preferred conference hotel is the Europa Hotel.
Dress Codes Conference days - Smart casual, we want you to feel relaxed yet focussed Welcome Evening - Casual Gala Dinner - Dress to impress
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Exclusive offers
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE
We have negotiated a 50% discount on walk up lounge access at Belfast City Airport on production of your name badge or this programme. Full details are on the following pages. To celebrate the new partnership with Focus and Jyrney, they are offering all Focus Conference guests a 15% discount on their ground transportation. Please use this registration link: https://cms.jyrney.com/focusconference A variety of local offers are available from Visit Belfast, valid until 31Dec23. Please visit: https://businesseventsbelfastandni.com/exclusive-delegate-offers/
PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Ask your questions throughout the conference Slido is an easy-to-use Q&A and polling platform. We will be utilising this tool during various panel discussions and sessions throughout the conference to enable you to ask questions. Please visit: Slido.com and use Event Code: FPCNOV23
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE
21 November
BELFAST 2023
All Afternoon Coach transfers from Belfast airports (see transfer page) 19:00 Coach transfer from Europa Hotel to welcome evening reception Join us for traditional Irish hospitality, with drinks, grazing platters and music to sing along to, kindly sponsored by JetBlue and Travelport 22:00 Coach transfer back to Europa hotel Note- if you wish to walk the welcome evening reception is approximately a 15 minute walk from the Europa Hotel
PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November 08:00-09:00 Join us for a refreshing chai break with Vistara (tea and coffee are also available
BELFAST 2023
09:00-09:30
Welcomes from Visit Belfast & headline sponsor British Airways
09:30-10:00
View From the Top – What are the Opportunities & Challenges Focus Faces? There is always opportunity in change. And we live in a disrupted world that is full of change on an almost constant basis. But with opportunities comes challenges too. What are the opportunities for the Focus Travel Partnership going forward? What have been the successes to date? And what remains to be achieved?
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November 10:00-10:30 Coffee Break brought to you by Turkish Airlines 10:30-12:00
BELFAST 2023
Becoming Mainstream – What will the Sector Look like with NDC as Standard? In some circles 2023 will be remembered as the year of NDC, as it finally, after more than ten years “in the pipeline” became “mainstream”. But some quarters say that the corporate travel sector faces risks posed by expected higher levels of out-of-system, non-compliant flight bookings as NDC “begins to take off”. American Airlines’ set an April deadline which many claimed would see much of the carrier’s NDC rates only be bookable directly via the airline. Now, as the dust starts to settle, what is the actual state of play for 2024 and beyond? Does the business traveller actually care? What does the future look like from the perspective of the TMC, the SME and the airline? Our panel will explore and debate what the future holds now that NDC is “mainstream”.
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November 12:00-13:00 Lunch kindly sponsored by Travelport and TAP Air Portugal 13:00-13:30
BELFAST 2023
New Kids On The Block – Why we’re here & what we hope for! With membership the very life blood of the Focus Travel Partnership, it’s always good to welcome new members into the fold. But what attracts new members to join our organisation? How does Focus compare to others in the field? What are the hopes and aspirations that new members join us with? What do they see us doing well and where do they see our potential? New TMC Partners bring fresh eyes and rightly question what may have become standard, while endorsing what we do well and bringing fresh ideas and perspectives. In this session we hear from three new members to the partnership and gather their insights on our organisation and what we can achieve in 2024 and beyond.
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November 13:30-14:30 The Generation Game – Working with Gen X, Boomers, Gen Z and Millennials
BELFAST 2023
Working with multi-generational workforces has always been a challenge for business leaders. And never has that been more noticeable than today. Each generation prioritises different values. Gen X are said to appreciate flexible working arrangements and promotional opportunities, while baby boomers value individuality and material success. Millennials like personal freedom and engaged workplaces, while Gen Z prioritise creativity and progressive thinking. A multi-generational survey by global consultancy, Deloitte, concluded that Gen Z employees are: “Radically different to Millennials” with “an entirely unique perspective on careers and how to define success in life and in the workforce.” As the first generation to be born after the advent of the internet their expectations and behaviours are vastly different to the generations that have gone before. Whether it’s delegating upwards, asking to leave when they’ve completed their work, taking mental health days, or only using emojis to be ‘professional’, the new workforce is truly disrupting an already disrupted workplace. So how do we lead a workforce such as this? How do we get the best out of them for our business? Dr Paul Redmond author and leading expert on generations and the future of work will share key insights that will help you navigate the minefield of modern workplaces.
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November 14:30-15:00 Focus Awards
BELFAST 2023
Join us as Focus CEO Abby Penston, with the help of Focus Board member Mark Colley, presents prestigious awards to those who have strengthened and empowered the partnership and gone ‘above and beyond’.
15:00-17:00 Focus TMC Closed session All TMC Partners delegate must attend this session.
15:15-16:30 Walking Tour of Belfast available to suppliers Please meet in the reception of the Europa Hotel.
Agenda
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
22 November Coach pick up from Europa Hotel 18:15
BELFAST 2023
Head towards our unique Gala Dinner venue, the Crumlin Road Goal
18:30-19:30
Drinks reception
19:30-22:00
Gala Dinner
Enjoy traditional Irish entertainment and networking, sponsored by Qatar Airways
Find your table and enjoy being in this historic (yet apparently haunted) building. Tours of the building will be available after dinner, and there will be a choice of standard tours or ‘paranormal’ tours. This evening is kindly sponsored by Lufthansa Group, Air Canada and United Airlines
22:00 & 22:30 Coaches back to Europa Hotel
Speakers Abby Penston, CEO, Focus Travel Partnership Abby started her career in the hospitality sector with Pubmaster in 1995, and moved into technical services in 2005 for a FSTE 100 company where she ran merger operational projects and looked after over 274 FTE from field based engineers to Contact Centre personnel where she stayed for 8 years. Abby is a qualified lean and Prince 2 manager, these skills led her back into the travel industry working for a TMC as Director of Business Travel in 2013. Abby then set up her own strategic consultancy company, before becoming Focus CEO in November 2019 when they became their own limited company. Abby’s role includes driving the brand, growth and strength of the organisation. In 2021 Abby was awarded the Resilience Award by the ITM for her continued contribution to the industry throughout the Covid-19 pandemic, and in 2023 shortlisted for ‘People Manager of the year’ at the Business Travel People Awards. Abby is resourceful and solution orientated, she has a great sense of humour and cares passionately about delivering value for Focus TMC Partners.
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Dr Paul Redmond, Key Note Speaker Dr Paul Redmond is one of the UK’s leading experts on generational change and the future of work. As an in-demand speaker, each year Paul presents at numerous conferences and events around the world, helping organisations and professionals acquire the skills and knowledge to thrive in today’s multigenerational workplace. Paul writes regularly for national newspapers and other publications and is a frequent guest on radio and TV programmes, appearing regularly on the BBC and independent current affairs shows. Currently the Director of Student Experience and Enhancement at the University of Liverpool, Paul has held visiting lectureships at various leading universities and has been responsible for guiding the careers of thousands of students and graduates.
Paul’s research into ‘Generation Z,’ the post-Covid world of work, the rise of ‘Zombie Jobs’ (the theme of his recent TED talk), techniques for building excellent intergenerational communications, and ‘Helicopter Parents’ has garnered him praise and respect from a range of national and international organisations. Paul is the author of numerous books, reports and studies, including the best-selling ‘The Graduate Jobs Formula,’ and the highly popular diary column for the UK’s Institute of Student Employers’ magazine. Paul is currently working on his new book, ‘The Rise of the Zombie Jobs’ – which will reveal, for the first time, jobs and careers that are most likely to be lost to AI and robotics – and those that (for now) are likely to be safe. Paul has been awarded a Fellowship of the British Royal Society of Arts.
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Speakers Steve Dunne, Moderator
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
BELFAST 2023 Steve Dunne is a PR and marketing specialist with over 40 years of experience within corporate and agency. Steve started as a 16 year old apprentice in the corporate press office of British Telecom, then the UK’s second largest company. He rose to the rank of Head of Corporate Communications by the age of 24. Subsequently he went on to head PR and communications at HSBC and then led South African Airways global communications in the mid 1990s. Steve has also ran four PR and marketing consultancies. He was managing director of leading leisure and lifestyle agency Affinity Consulting which was subsequently sold to Porter Novelli and Steve became a board director and Head of their Consumer Division. He then was a founder of the UK’s biggest travel and leisure marketing and PR consultancy Brighter Group where he was managing director subsequently rising to Executive Chairman. Steve is also founder and CEO of Digital Drums Ltd, a leading strategy and training company. As a trainer Steve is much in demand and has trained organisations as wide and varied as The Prime Minister's Office, The Royal Navy, Blue Chip Plc's, Charities, Airlines, Hotel groups and Retail chains.
Deborah Collins, Head of Business Events, Visit Belfast Deborah has over 16 years global sales and marketing experience working within fast paced Tourism and IT sectors, most recently at Visit Belfast, where she leads an award-winning team who are responsible for attracting strategic business events to Belfast and Northern Ireland. She is passionate about tourism as a force for good, creating jobs and prosperity, as well as legacy and impact, enabling Belfast to become a more vibrant and sustainable place to visit, meet and live in. Deborah has an MA Honours in Modern European Languages from the University of Edinburgh and is a keen supporter of the Arts
Adam Bennett, Head of Business Channels, British Airways Adam Bennett is the Head of Business Channel Sales in the United Kingdom and Ireland at British Airways. He started with the airline in 2006, and has worked in a variety of commercial, customer and operational roles across Gatwick, Heathrow and head office over the past two decades. He joined UK&I Sales in 2014 working in the corporate channel, adding TMC responsibilities in 2020. For the past two years, Adam has sat on The BTA’s Industry Partners Executive Board.
Panel Guests Bill Brindle, VP Content and Travel Operations, SpotNana Bill is responsible for Spotnana’s supplier relationships and operations for providing exceptional service to travelers. Prior to Spotnana, Bill served as COO of American Express Global Business Travel, where he led the company’s global operational delivery teams. He also served for many years as COO of HRG, where he led innovations in HRG’s technology, distribution, product development, and client data, as well as leading the growth and ultimate sale of its Fraedom payments business to Visa. Starting his career in the Civil Service, Bill moved into the travel industry in 1980, holding various positions in distribution technology with British Caledonian Airways and Amadeus Global Travel Distribution before joining HRG.
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Jack Ramsey, CEO, TripStax Jack is the vibrant and forward-thinking leader of TripStax. He is also a company director and sits on the TripStax board of directors. He has an impressive track record in the B2B travel technology sector. Jack’s career includes eight years at Travelport, starting in sales support and working his way up through diverse commercial roles to run a global commercial team. In 2020, he joined ATPI as a technology and investment consultant where the opportunity evolved to spearhead the creation of TripStax. Known for his collaborative, hard-working and bold approach, Jack’s ambition is to grow TripStax into an industry leading brand and tech platform that pioneers the evolution of B2B travel.
Simone Buckley, Industry Advisor Former CEO of ITM (Institute of Travel Management), Simone has a wealth of experience in the corporate travel sector and brings a dual perspective having worked on both the TMC and buyer side of the industry. Simone has been inducted into the AWTE Influential Women in Travel, Tourism and Hospitality honours list and has previously been a member of the BTA Executive Board where she chaired the Surface Transport Working Party. Previous roles include VP Marketing at Navan (formerly TripActions), CEO at Fello and Managing Director at Agiito (formerly Capita Travel and Events).
Panel Guests Clare Collins, Owner & Managing Director Corporate Travel, CT Travel Group Clare is a highly experienced professional with a strong background in the MICE and Business Travel sectors, having started in the Groups, Events & Exhibitions space following a successful work experience placement aged just 17. Clare joined CT Travel Group in 2004 and after progressing through the business over a period of eight years, Clare became Managing Director Corporate Travel and a shareholder of the Group in 2012. Having worked in the industry since 2000, Clare is responsible for CT’s entire corporate operation with a 40+ million turnover, including Business Travel, Groups, Sales, Account Management etc and a multitude of company ‘hats’ such as People/HR, the planet, Corporate Governance and more!
Tejal Parmar, Senior Manager Global Supplier Relations, SpotNana Tejal is a highly skilled Senior Manager Global Supplier Relations for SpotNana, with a travel industry career spanning nearly 20 years, Tejal has progressed through the industry ranks from a Business Travel Consultant with Wings and CWT to where she is today, with experience working in hotels, larger and mid-size TMC's and in offices in the UK, Dubai and USA. In 2014 she joined Frosch as one of the first 5 employees when the company was originally set-up and undertook various projects with limited resources. Tejal joined SpotNana in 2021 to build the global operations team as well as working in supplier relations, and now oversees SpotNana’s Supplier Relations across several regions. She is strategy driven with the ability to drive company-wide improvement and inspire success.
Tyrone Francis, Head of Operations at Easy Avenues Tyrone’s career in travel and tourism began after college in South Africa, but it was his move to a travel consultant role in 2010 that cemented his commitment to this vibrant industry. After relocating to the UK in 2015 he shifted to corporate travel, where his expertise in fares and GDS systems has grown immensely. This experience, coupled with his passion for outstanding client service, propelled him to the role of Head of Operations at Easy Avenues. Tyrone is currently expanding his skill-set by undertaking a web application development course with the aim of harnessing this knowledge to forge new, state-of-the-art technology solutions tailored for the corporate travel sector.
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
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FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS
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BELFAST 2023
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Emergency Contact Information If you require immediate assistance or need to pass on a urgent message, please contact:
Dani Ives - +44 (0)7818 145554 Abby Penston - +44 (0)7792 693327
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Thank you to our sponsors
FOCUS PARTNERS CONFERENCE PROJECT 25: PIONEERING PROGRESS BELFAST 2023
Headline Sponsors
Gala Dinner Sponsors
Welcome evening Sponsors Registration tool Sponsors
Coffee and Lunch Sponsors