Latest speakers unveiled for Aspire's Leaders of Luxury conference
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A raft of impressive speakers are set to grace the stage at London’s Bafta for this year’s Leaders of Luxury conference.
Aspire’s annual event will take place on June 6, with a handpicked audience of 250 people set to attend.
This year’s speaker list includes barrister, broadcaster and author Rob Rinder, who co-hosts multiple TV travel shows.
Senior leaders from Abercrombie & Kent, Audley Travel, Glion, Hilton Luxury Brands, Pelorus, Positive Luxury, Regent Seven Seas Cruises and Scott Dunn feature on the roster of confirmed speakers. Also set to talk are travel journalist and film-maker Ash Bhardwaj, and Walpole chief executive Helen Brocklebank, who will outline the size of the UK luxury market.
Launched in 2017, Leaders of Luxury focuses on the key influences shaping high-end travel and the wider luxury sector. The event brings together the industry’s most influential people.
Every year, Leaders of Luxury looks at the biggest trends and developments in the luxury travel arena, while also inviting speakers from outside the sector to share their specialist knowledge and expertise. This year’s event will take a deep dive into the world of loyalty, examining how brands gain a cult following even among affluent consumers who have innumerable options.
The event will also look at luxury partnerships and the rise of travel firms joining forces with fashion, beauty and sports brands to gain greater access to a wider pool of customers. Other sessions will focus on the state of the market; sustainability and responsible tourism; and the importance of customer service excellence within luxury travel.
Aspire editor Hollie-Rae Brader said: “Our Leaders of Luxury conference attracts a stellar line-up of speakers year after year and we pride ourselves on the level of content we deliver at what has become a must‑attend event in the industry.
“The quality of content ensures an equally stellar audience from all segments of the luxury travel sector and we look forward to filling the auditorium at Bafta once again.
“A huge thanks is due to our sponsors for helping support such a brilliant conference. I look forward to a day full of insight, creativity and inspiration.”
Explora Journeys returns as headline sponsor, while destination headline sponsor the Royal Commission for AlUla will look to educate the UK market on its offering.
Estée Lauder is this year’s goodie bag partner. Mail Metro Media returns as consumer media partner, while supporting sponsors include Glion, Grecotel, Kerzner International, Regent Seven Seas Cruises, Sani/Ikos Group, the Spanish Tourist Office (UK) and Visit Monaco.
Leaders of Luxury is an invitation-only event. Anyone wishing to be considered should email: hollie@travelweekly.co.uk
Confirmed speakers include:
Amy Nelson-Bennett, chief executive, Positive Luxury
Ash Bhardwaj, travel journalist and film-maker
Anna Nash, chief commercial officer, Aman
Antonio Paradiso, vice-president of international sales, Explora Journeys
Carley Ayres, director of global partnerships and loyalty, Abercrombie & Kent
Caroline Smith, managing director of international, Regent Seven Seas Cruises
Claire Golding, UK director, Royal Commission for AlUla
Craig Jeffs, regional director of sales and marketing, Kerzner International
Daniel Robb, chief marketing officer, Audley Travel
Dean Bannon, managing director for Europe, Leading Hotels of the World
Dino Michael, senior vice-president and global head, Hilton Luxury Brands
Francesca Mendola, vice-president, Global Travel Collection UK
Frédéric Picard, managing director, Glion
Helen Brocklebank, chief executive, Walpole
Jimmy Carroll, co-founder, Pelorus
Karen Joyce, general manager UK and Ireland, Virtuoso
Lee Barker, regional director of sales and marketing UK, Ikos and Sani Group
Pierfrancesco Vago, executive chairman, cruise division, MSC Group
Rob Rinder, barrister, broadcaster and author
Simon R Thompson, chief executive, Raddleman
Sonia Davies, managing director, Scott Dunn
Stephan Degueurce-Roberge, managing director UK, Ireland and Scandinavia, Visit Monaco