Paul Bloxham
HSBC on the economic state-of-play
One of the hottest topics across corporate boardrooms as we head into the final quarter of 2022, is undoubtedly – the economy. This year Paul Bloxham, HSBC’s Chief Economist for Australia, New Zealand and Global Commodities, took to the Illuminate stage to make sense of the stats and share his predictions for the global financial markets and international economies.
Adam Carrel
Flying towards zero emissions
Presenting his own take on the global challenge of balancing sustainability and growth, is Illuminate speaker Adam Carrel, Partner, Climate Change and Sustainability Services for Ernst & Young. Mr Carrel is passionate about the role corporates can play in shaping Australia’s response to sustainable development and climate change. He looks at how these goals intersect with business and economic costs, and how bolder decisions and action are needed to shape a new way of doing business ethically.
Jayne Hrdlicka
Virgin Australia’s on the up and up
What has Virgin Australia got planned for the country’s corporate travellers? Find out when Melissa Elf, Managing Director ANZ, Flight Centre Travel Group Corporate and Virgin Australia CEO, Jayne Hrdlicka joined Illuminate this year for a Q and A. Having gone through an incredible business transformation, Virgin Australia has been in the limelight of late, announcing a new strategic partnership with Qatar Airways, a new retail partnership between Velocity Frequent Flyer and Myer as well as launching a fresh status match offer for airline gold customers. Hear what else Virgin Australia has in store for corporate customers.
John Morhous
Focus Forward Tech Trends
John Morhous, Flight Centre Travel Group’s Chief Experience Officer, introduces this exciting session on the future of travel industry technology. John is followed by a panel discussion between Sabre, Serko, Amadeus and Flight Centre Travel Group, facilitated by Jonathan Clark, Chief Technology Officer for Flight Centre Travel Group. The panel discusses how technology in the key areas of biometrics, new distribution capability and sustainability are re-shaping the customer experience and travel programs. From faster and more streamlined airport experiences, new ways of online product retailing and new tech capabilities to make greener travel easy.
Graham 'Skroo' Turner
The next 40 years of success
Flight Centre Travel Group emerged from the FY 2021/2022 in a solid position, delivering better than expected full year earnings. The new financial year is shining even brighter, with the group’s global corporate business returning to gross pre-COVID turnover ahead of schedule and the leisure business also gaining share. Tune into hear Graham 'Skroo' Turner, Chief Executive Officer, Flight Centre Travel Group and Tom Walley, Global Managing Director, Corporate Traveller, in a frank discussion about resilience, business growth and planning for the future.
Gert-Jan de Graaff
Growing our gateways to the sky
When Australia's borders closed during the pandemic, Gert-Jan de Graaff, CEO of Brisbane Airport Corporation (BAC), spoke candidly about what needed to be put in place to ensure Australia's connectivity with the world was protected. Concerned that the highly competitive international aviation sector could leave Australia behind, Gert-Jan took active measures to empower Australia’s travel and tourism industry. Don’t miss this fascinating Q and A with Gert-Jan as he explains the measures he has and will continue to take to ensure Brisbane Airport flies high into the future.
John Sharp
Rex electrifies the aviation scene
Rex Airlines has a compelling game plan for protecting the environment and maintaining operational sustainability into the future. The award-winning airline plans to start flight trials using an electric engine in one of its Saab 340s in 2024. The aircraft will be retrofitted with an electric and hydrogen-powered MagniX engine and tested on short regional flights. Hear how this progressive Australian airline has partnered with Dovetail Electric Aviation, to help it convert its existing turbine powered aircraft to electric nil emission propulsion – and what all of this means for the future of business travel.
Felicity Burke
Hotel Suite Talk
Guests at Illuminate were the first to hear what the key global, travel industry trends are, thanks to an exclusive peek at the FCM Consulting Q3 Global Trends Report. Felicity took the audience through all the key data points for airlines, hotel accommodation, ground transport and travel program trends. Felicity was joined onstage by Ann Gill, Vice President Sales & Connected Partners, Pacific at Accor Hotels and Andrew Gallard, General Manager Corporate, FCTG Global Land Supply Division to talk all things hotel supply, sourcing and procurement, and what’s ahead for businesses keen to bed down more value from their spend on hotels.
Michelle Degenhardt
The passion and people powering sustainable travel
Flight Centre Travel Group’s (FCTG’s) focus on developing a business model based on sustainable practices has been paramount to the company’s growth and success. From the introduction of the Flight Centre Foundation in 2008, to the launch of our Worldwise Committee and alignment with the United Nations Global Compact, FCTG’s sustainability journey has been driven with heart and purpose. As the group’s first Global Sustainability Officer, Brisbane-based Michelle Degenhardt explains how and why FCTG plans to invest more resources and energy this year into sustainability than ever before.