The ITT has approached new Labour leader Jeremy Corbyn to address next year’s ITT Conference, its chair Steven Freudmann has revealed.
Should Corbyn accept, he would be the latest in a long list of political heavyweights to speak at the event.
Last year Alan Johnson addressed delegates, and in previous years the ITT has welcomed the likes of Nigel Farage, Tessa Jowell, John Prescott and William Hague.
“While ITT is non-political, we do of course pay great attention to the views of politicians of all parties, particularly in so far as their policies affect the travel industry,” said Freudmann.
“Runway capacity, HR2, Air Passenger Duty, Europe, corporation tax, council tax: these are all issues that Corbyn has to address.” The decision on where to hold next year’s conference has yet to be made, with Freudmann confirming to TTG that it is down to two locations. The location will be announced at the upcoming President’s Dinner, taking place on October 21 at The Dorchester in London.
The night will feature the presentation of the Odyssey Award to this year’s recipient, Carnival UK chair David Dingle. After-dinner entertainment comes via the Britain’s Got Talent finalist and impressionist Danny Posthill.
Meanwhile, the ITT will hold a digital strategy masterclass this October. It will teach lessons from the retail sector and examine what the travel industry will look like in five to 10 years.
Experts such as Jeremy Morris, Google’s head of retail, will try to explain why other sectors are doing better than travel. Also on the panel will be Ian Morgan, managing director of corporate digital banking at Barclays, and Dean Harvey, digital development director of advertising agency Designate.
From the travel industry, Dan Robb, Tui Group’s director of digital marketing, will take part. The breakfast event takes place on October 30 at the offices of law firm Hill Dickinson at Broadgate Tower in the City. There is space for an audience of 60.