Five minutes with... Kirsty Hicks
PROFILE
MEETING OF MINDS
If you buy or arrange corporate travel you can't afford to miss The Business Travel Conference 2011 – and now is the time to register
Associate Director Conferences & Events
TBTC 2011
Kirsty Hicks has been manager of The Business Travel Conference since the event's inception in 2007. Together with her team she has established the event, its business sessions, workshops and networking activities as a regular 'must- attend' date in the business travel arranger's diary.
What is your most memorable business travel trip and why? As a buyer in the late 90s attending a forum in Malta. From being made to feel welcome from the second I arrived to leaving with some great contacts at the event, it was exactly how I want everyone to feel at TBTC! My company still uses some of the supplier contacts I made back then so that’s good to see too.
What is your worst business travel experience and why? Easy, ITB Berlin! My flight was delayed and I forget to pack my badge so I had to sneak into the exhibition through a side door so as not to miss my first appointment. It was not the best start!
TAKING place this year on October 17-18, The Business Travel Conference will bring together suppliers and buyers from across the sector for educational sessions, debate and networking. Now in its fifth year, the event has become
a firm fixture in the calendar for anyone responsible for booking, buying, arranging or managing business travel and meetings. It brings together businesses large and small
and the thing that keeps them coming back for more is the quality of the conference content, the constructive nature of the debates and the intimacy of the event. Built around a series of informative conference sessions and workshops, the event will this year include a highly motivational speech from keynote speaker, Miles Hilton-Barber, known as ‘The Blind Adventurer’. An exhibition takes place alongside which
gives delegates the opportunity to get to know key business travel suppliers and review their latest products. Within the exhibition area, and at the social events linked to the event, delegates are able to meet others in a similar role as their own and make new and useful contacts in a relaxed and informal setting. New contacts made at TBTC can help make life easier all year through! To ensure a productive yet relaxed event, delegate numbers are limited to just 200 spaces, so if you haven’t yet registered but want a place, now is the time to get in touch!
2011 CONFERENCE SESSIONS Be a part of it. Boost your knowledge and skills with these practical and informative sessions: Session 1 Business Climate Change A review of the last 12 months: ash clouds, acts of terrorism and the impact on business travel. Session 2 On the Right side of the Law Update on Corporate Manslaughter Legislation, Duty of Care, and the Anti-Bribery Act. Session 3 The Knowledge Learn from the best with our insights from corporate buyer's case studies. Session 4 Counting the Cost Senior buyer advice on expense management and the range of products available. Session 5 Keynote speaker Motivational ideas from Miles Hilton–Barber. Session 6 Where do we go from here? Review of the TBTC highlights and debate. Workshops: See page 18 for details
REGISTER NOW!
We have just 200 spaces for delegates so register now to secure your place. You can currently apply for a hosted place or book one or two-day passes online. To discuss the best delegate pass option for you or to apply for complimentary hosted places contact Neil Dargie. Tel: 07836 648863 or email
Neil.Dargie@bmipublishing.co.uk
What is your favourite destination worldwide and why? Guatemala. It's so naturally beautiful and I loved everything from the water pools of Semuc Champey to the lava flowing at Pacaya, not to mention climbing the Mayan temples of Tikal where they filmed the Indiana Jones films.
What three items do you never leave home without when travelling on business? Business cards, phone and mascara.
What single thing could be done to improve your business travelling life? Being able to book train tickets more than three months out would be great.
What destination would you like to visit next and why? Australia. I'd love to surf at Bondi and snorkel on the Great Barrier Reef.
What's the best thing about your job organising TBTC? The actual event! Previously I worked in leisure travel and I love how the business travel community is so much more close knit. It’s great to see exhibitors and delegates all together at the venue and the atmosphere is always great.
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