ao link
TTG Fairer Travel Diversity Forum

Diversity Forum - Full Programme

09:40 – 09:50: Welcome from TTG Media

TTG's Tom Parry will open the Fairer Travel Diversity Forum and set the scene for the day.

Tom Parry

Tom Parry

Content producer,
TTG Media

09:50 – 10:20: Time to rethink DEI?

Despite important progress in recent years, stretched corporate budgets, apathy from senior leaders and consumer and political backlash have seen high-profile companies cutting back their focus and investment on DEI. How do we reignite that spark to continue to drive change and what can you do to ensure your business is not simply satisfied with a ‘one-and-done’ attitude?
Suki Sandhu

Suki Sandhu OBE

Talent, diversity and inclusion expert,
author and CEO of Audeliss and INvolve

10:20 – 11:00: Attracting diverse talent: action NOT words

What can travel businesses do to actively attract a more diverse workforce and how can travel learn from other industries? Hear from experts committed to driving greater diversity in recruitment across all levels of the travel workplace and gain advice on how the sector can truly move the dial to become an enticing career path for everyone.

Atlyn Forde

Atlyn Forde

CEO,

Communicate Inclusively

Edwina Lonsdale

Edwina Lonsdale

Managing director,

Mundy Cruising

Jo Rzymowska

Jo Rzymowska

Diversity consultant & non-executive director,
Hays Travel
Gamiel Yafai

Gamiel Yafai

Founder & CEO,

Diversity Marketplace

11:00 – 11:20: BREAK

11:20 – 11:50: So… you think your marketing is inclusive?

Whether you’re wanting to take steps to make your brand more inclusive but don’t know where to start – or overhauling your marketing strategy to attract new audiences – how can you ensure you are not simply following fads and ticking off trends? Hear expert tips for telling authentic stories and providing meaningful representation that your customers and staff can be proud of.

Asad Dhunna

Asad Dhunna
Founder & CEO,
The Unmistakables

Shilpa Saul

Shilpa Saul
Director & DEI
communications specialist,
The Unmistakables

11:50 – 12:10: Neurodiversity – the missing piece of the puzzle

With almost a fifth of the UK population living with neurodivergence, this group of staff must be properly nurtured. But, with many businesses not asking the right questions to understand how to help – and being unable to put that right support in place – how can these team members truly thrive?
Onyinye Udokporo

Onyinye Udokporo

Neurodiversity consultant,
author and Tedx speaker

12:10 – 12:50: The power of partnerships: why asking awkward questions is encouraged

Partnering with the right experts, whose knowledge and lived experience can help educate and empower your team, is essential and can make all the difference when providing the best service and expertise to customers. Hear how travel brands are getting it right when it comes to such collaboration – and the learnings along the way.
Eva Bacchoo

Eva Bacchoo

Autism and ADHD
consultant and content
creator
Ross Calladine

Ross Calladine

Accessibility & inclusion
lead,
VisitEngland
Sassy Wyatt

Sassy Wyatt

Content creator &
accessibility consultant,
Blind Girl Adventures 

12:50 – 14:00: LUNCH

14:00 – 14:40: WORKSHOPS

As part of the afternoon programme, delegates are invited to participate in a practical workshop. Attendees will need to select a workshop if they wish to participate. 

 

Workshop A: When cancer strikes – how to talk about cancer in the workplace

Barbara Wilson, founder, Working with Cancer

 

Workshop B: Inclusive leadership – the key to creating world-class teams

Gamiel Yafai, CEO & founder, Diversity Marketplace

 

Workshop C: How to be an everyday ally

Alessandra Alsonso, founder & managing director, Women in Travel CIC

 

FIND OUT MORE

14:40 – 15:20: Are travel's workplaces fit for the future?

Is the way the travel industry treats its staff in 2024 fit for purpose? Are workplace attitudes to areas such as flexible parenting and mental health given as much consideration as they should? Is there enough openness and inclusivity at senior levels and what needs to change to ensure travel doesn’t fall behind other industries? 

Nicola Boston

Nicola Boston

Culture and

experience lead,

Holiday Extras

Anna Perrott

Anna Perrott

Co-founder, Back in Time for Bed,

and director of partnerships,
Panache Cruises

Miranda Simms

Miranda Simms

Wellbeing and

inclusion lead,

Tui UK

15:20 – 16:00: Working with cancer: tackling taboos

What does working through cancer treatment mean for employees and employers? Speakers from both sides offer their candid reflections, while leading charity Working with Cancer provides new insights on what your business can do to ensure everyone can cope.

Fay Field

Fay Field
Employment relations
& change specialist,

easyJet

Jae Hopkins

Jae Hopkins
Marketing director,

Explore Worldwide

April Hutchinson

April Hutchinson

Editor & publisher,
TTG Luxury

Barbara Wilson

Barbara Wilson

Founder,
Working with Cancer

16:00 – 16:15: BREAK

16:15 - 16:50: The Big Interview... with Lord David Blunkett

Why is ‘accessible travel’ still considered a niche market and what needs to be done across the industry – and society – to change attitudes and ensure travel companies improve customer service, representation and respect? Drawing on his decades of experience as a politician, disability campaigner and role advising some of the industry’s largest players including easyJet and Heathrow, Lord David Blunkett shares his insights.
David BlunkettLord David Blunkett
Former cabinet minister member of the House of Lords
and chair, easyJet Assisted Travel Advisory Board

16:50: CLOSING REMARKS 

 

 

 

 

 

Sign up for Fairer Travel news every Monday

Event Co-Partners

Illinois
Tampa Bay
Visit Gibraltar
TTG - Travel Trade Gazette
For Smarter, Better, Fairer Travel
B Corp-certified
TTG Media Limited.
Place of registration: England and Wales.
Company number 08723341.
Registered address: 6th Floor, 2 London Wall Place, London EC2Y 5AU