Ab Fab actress and travel presenter Joanna Lumley is to be guest speaker at Travel Counsellors’ annual conference.
The event, being staged at Manchester Central on November 10-12 is expected to be the company’s biggest yet, with more than 1,500 delegates signed up to attend so far.
Lumley will share her insights on how to build and manage a personal brand as well as highlights of her career spanning 48 years as a photographic model, actress, author, activist and subsequent TV host.
Joanna Lumley’s India, a three-part series released earlier this year that saw her return to the country of her birth, is the latest in a series of travel documentaries she has hosted on ITV.
Lumley said: “Travel has been a constant source of inspiration throughout my life and career; I have been fortunate enough to make documentaries whilst seeing the world.
“I’m immensely looking forward to spending time at Travel Counsellors’ annual conference, meeting likeminded people who run their own businesses and share my passion for truly authentic and cultural travel experiences.”
The conference carries the theme ‘A future without limits’ and will celebrate the success of the people in the business, and highlight the ways in which its Travel Counsellors can build on this further and achieve truly aspirational business goals.
The conference will reveal the latest news, tools and developments to enable them to do this, and will include presentations by speakers from within the business, as well as a number inspirational external speakers.
UK managing director Kirsten Hughes said: “Our annual conference is now in its 23rd year and has become a great gathering of the best of the best in the travel industry.
“Joanna’s passion for travel and all things ‘experiential’ makes her the ideal speaker for our conference.
“In particular, her eagerness to explore hidden gems and diverse cultures in holiday destinations, reflects our business model for unique and authentic travel perfectly.
“She is also an inspirational business person, and I know our Travel Counsellors, who are all self-employed business owners, and colleagues will benefit from her insights and advice in this area.
“There are some exciting initiatives to be announced during the weekend, and it’s also a great opportunity for people to come together and celebrate individual successes as well as looking forward to a fantastic future as part of the company.”