Travel Counsellors is to host its annual conference virtually this week, with the event streamed live.
Close to 2,000 travel counsellor business owners and colleagues are expected to tune in to the conference, which usually takes place in person in Manchester, on Friday, November 20.
Themes of the one-day event include recognising how individual Travel Counsellors have supported their customers during the pandemic and looking after mental wellbeing as lockdown restrictions continue under the banner ‘reset, rebuild and restart’.
Guest speakers will include ‘free-from’ food entrepreneur Kirsty Henshaw and best-selling author and mental health advocate Ruby Wax.
Dr Paul Redmond will return as keynote speaker to present his latest research on consumer behaviour.
Travel Counsellors UK managing director Kirsten Hughes said: “Whilst we would have loved the opportunity to get together in person to celebrate the achievements of our business owners, colleagues and travel partners at what has always been the annual highlight of the Travel Counsellors calendar, our virtual conference will ensure our people still have the chance to connect together and look forward to the future, highlighting the tools, technology and community support in place to continue to grow successful businesses.
“We will all take huge learnings from this year, and will be able to use these experiences to build resilient corporate and leisure travel businesses, backed by the personal experiences Travel Counsellors have provided for their customers throughout this time, showing care and providing real, human travel advice when it really mattered.”
The virtual event will also feature panel discussions with Travel Counsellors’ business owners, and a virtual evening bash including awards to recognise ‘TC Heroes’ and a ‘TCs Got Talent’ show.
Hughes added: “Despite this year’s challenges it’s so important to set aside some time to recognise the achievements of so many within Travel Counsellors who have gone above and beyond to support their customers. It’s been awe-inspiring to see the company community band together, not only proving that together there is a bright future ahead of us, but recognising the very real requirement for experienced travel professionals to be on-hand with expert advice as customers continue to navigate changing advice and seek safe ways to travel. We will come out of this period ready to support people to travel the globe once more.”