The Independent’s travel correspondent Simon Calder will head the line-up, delivering a keynote speech on day one of the conference, which will takr place from 29 April to 2 May 2022 at the Savoy Palace Hotel in Madeira.
Alongside Advantage’s chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said and Airlines UK chief executive Tim Alderslade, he will look at how the pandemic has changed the travel industry.
A panel of industry leaders will also discuss their "view from the top", including Iata’s Simon McNamara, Joanna Kolatsis from Themis Advisory Ltd, Martin Alcock from Travel Trade Consultancy, and Advantage’s leisure director Kelly Cookes.
The three-day conference will also include Tedx-style presentations on subjects such as sustainability, diversity, equity and inclusion, and mental health from speakers including Thrust Carbon founder Mark Corbett, Out There magazine founder Uwern Jong, and mental welfare specialist Bilal Nasim from Tough Cookie.
There will also be a keynote address from former head of creative development at Warner Bros Studios, Jason Bevan, who will share behind-the-scenes secrets as well as tips on inspiring a creative environment in any organisation.
As well as plenary, panel and keynote sessions, delegates can join immersive experiential breakout sessions, taking them away from the conference theatre to brush up on business skills while enjoying some of the scenery, sights and sounds of Madeira.
Compere and speaker David Meade will return as moderator, with Travelogix chief executive Chris Lewis providing support with data and analysis.
Advantage’s networking events including speed-dating sessions with suppliers, dine-arounds, a welcome party and farewell dinner, all features that return for 2022.
Lo Bue-Said said: “This is the first in-person conference Advantage has held in two years and perhaps even more special than usual following the exceptional journey the industry has been on during this time.
“The 2022 conference will be an opportunity to consider where we have been, what we have learned, and what the future holds, all while underscoring the importance of continued government engagement for the sector.”
