Comment: Rising Stars event gives optimism for the future of our industry

I am very fortunate in my job to have the chance to listen to many incredible speakers at events and conferences around the world. But rarely have I seen anyone connect with a room as broadcaster and author Clare Balding CBE did at Travel Weekly’s second Inspiring Women Rising Stars Lunch last week.

Clare was everything you would expect – warm, intelligent and funny – and was the perfect speaker to inspire an audience spanning senior executives and those taking formative steps in their careers.

Our Inspiring Women portfolio of events has gone from strength to strength since it was introduced just three years ago and, following last year’s Rising Stars Lunch with Dame Kelly Holmes, this felt like another step forward.

While Clare offered star appeal, her speech and interview was really the icing on the cake after a morning masterclass which featured a range of other incredible speakers from our hosts and partners Intrepid Travel, Hyatt International, News UK and Jovolution. This was the first time we had added masterclass sessions to the lunch and it was great for our younger guests to hear from female leaders from within the sector who spoke with such passion about how businesses benefit from diverse workforces and leadership teams. 

Clare was simply phenomenal, and so are the many executives and rising stars who were lucky enough to hear her speak. Looking around the room, I felt real pride in the event and, more importantly, real optimism about the people who are the future of our industry.

Comment from Travel Weekly, October 2 edition