Midcounties Co-operative chief executive Ben Reid (pictured) is the latest industry leader confirmed for Abta’s Travel Matters conference in June.
He will speak alongside transport secretary Patrick McLoughlin and Virgin Atlantic’s new chief executive Craig Kreeger, among others.
Reid will talk about the opportunities, challenges and barriers to inspiring business confidence, particularly on the high street, at the event in London on June 26.
Topics up for debate include aviation capacity, the competitiveness of the UK’s travel and tourism sector, tourism’s Olympic legacy, and the opportunities, challenges and barriers to inspiring business and consumer confidence.
The conference, taking place at Millbank in Westminster, carries the theme ‘An Agenda for Growth’.
Abta chief executive Mark Tanzer said: “We are delighted that Ben will join the Travel Matters conference. He has a huge amount of invaluable industry experience and insight and we look forward to hearing his views.
“He joins a fantastic line up of speakers who will be sharing their views on key issues such as consumer protection and aviation capacity, in what looks set to be a day of lively and constructive debate.”
Other confirmed speakers include:
- Graham Pickett, lead partner, travel, hospitality & leisure, Deloitte
- Bernard Donoghue, director, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
- Sandie Dawe, chief executive, VisitBritain
- Jim Fitzpatrick, shadow aviation minister
- Robert Sinclair, chief executive, Bristol Airport
- Paul Simmons, UK commercial director, easyJet
- Doreen McKenzie, proprietor, Knock Travel
- John de Vial, head of financial protection, Abta
- Kate Jennings, head of aviation regulatory & consumer policy division, Department for Transport
- Roger Allard, chairman, All Leisure Group
- Mike Bowers, general council, Tui Travel
- Michel de Blust, secretary general, ECTAA
- Richard Downs, chief executive, Iglu.com