Travel Weekly is to run a new series of executive events focusing on women in travel and business.
The first Travel Weekly Inspiring Women Lunch will take place in London today (October 21) and will feature a discussion with Francesca Carter-Kelly, Commonwealth Games England’s head of performance and sport engagement and deputy chef de mission (sport & athletes) for the 2022 Games.
Carter-Kelly was previously chef de mission for Team Great Britain at the Winter World University Games in Russia in 2019 and oversaw the development and delivery of Team England’s preparation camp for the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games.
She will talk to an invited gathering of senior female executives about her roles and responsibility for ensuring the English team and athletes were supported in the lead-up to and during the 2022 Games.
The Inspiring Women Lunch will be held in association with headline sponsor Google, Malta Tourism Authority and Silver Travel Advisor and will be supported by White Tiger PR.
Lucy Huxley, editor-in-chief of Travel Weekly Group, said: “I am delighted to be able to welcome such an inspiring speaker for the first of these events designed to provide a platform for female industry executives to exchange views and get different perspectives on leadership and business.
“I am very grateful to our supporters and sponsors for helping us launch this new series.”
Feria Kazemi, industry relations lead, travel, EMEA partnerships solutions at Google, said: “We’re delighted to partner with Travel Weekly to bring executive women in travel together for an afternoon of discussion and inspiration.
“Sessions like these bring immeasurable value to women in leadership, while cementing a path – and the support networks – for the next generation of women leaders.”
Tolene Van Der Merwe, UK & Ireland director of VisitMalta, said: “VisitMalta supports diversity and inclusion, so partnering with Travel Weekly on the Inspiring Women Lunch will allow us to work within the industry to inspire young women in particular to follow their dreams and champion change and inclusion in senior leadership roles.”
Lisa McAuley, owner of Silver Travel Advisor, added: “There’s no better support network than women supporting women. The executive business lunches are an opportunity to discuss, debate and collaborate in an informal environment. I’m looking forward to networking face-to-face and leaving inspired.”