IN PARTNERSHIP WITH
Sky Media Travel Leaders’ Summit
We’re delighted to be hosting our first-ever Sky Media Travel Leaders’ Summit, in partnership with Channel 5, National Geographic, TTG Media and Warner Bros. Discovery.
This brand-new event is dedicated to senior figures from the travel industry, and will feature an inspiring afternoon including panel discussions, insights and networking with key figures from the travel industry. The summit will culminate with a drinks reception from 5:30 – 7:30pm.
Event Details:
Date: Wednesday 23rd October 2024
Location: IET London: Savoy Place, 2 Savoy Place, London WC2R 0BL
Timings:
Registration & Networking: 2pm – 2:30pm
Summit: 2:30pm – 5:30pm
Drinks Reception: 5:30pm – 7:30pm
Speakers:
Hover over each speaker for bio’s
James Hawker
Director of Clients
Eleanor Cripps
Client Partnership Controller
Karin oversees direct client relationships, Sponsorships and Partnerships, and Marketing. She joined Sky in 2022 after nearly 25 years in news media, including 18 years at News UK as GM of Client Strategy. A media leader, Karin partners with clients to solve business challenges through media and creativity. She is a passionate advocate for equality and supports working parents, having founded News for Parents at News UK.
Karin Seymour
Director of Client & Marketing
Dan Cohen leads the development of Addressable Products and Propositions across Sky Group, including AdSmart, Sky’s industry-leading addressable TV offering. By leveraging Sky’s 1st Party data, Dan helps link advertisers with key audiences, driving better return on investment and improving audience insights. His focus is on finding innovative ways for advertisers to reach audiences and measure performance, underpinning Sky’s advertising product and development strategy.
Dan Cohen
Director of Product & Advertising Innovation
Daniel Pearce is the CEO and owner of TTG Media, a B Corp-certified company serving the travel industry through magazines, websites, and events. He joined TTG as Editor in 2010, led a management buy-out in 2013, and established TTG as an independent business. Under his leadership, TTG achieved B Corp status in 2023, promoting a “Smarter, Better, Fairer” travel industry.
Daniel Pearce
CEO & Owner, TTG Media
Eleanor Scott is a Strategy Partner at PwC, specializing in travel, hospitality, and leisure sectors. With over 20 years of experience, she advises clients on growth, transformation, and value creation. Eleanor has worked with a wide range of travel companies and leads PwC UK’s thought leadership in the travel sector, regularly publishing insights on industry trends and challenges.
Eleanor Scott
Partner at Strategy&, and PWC
Eleni Skarveli is the Director of the Greek National Tourism Organisation for the UK & Ireland, leading sustainable tourism initiatives. She launched SustainableGreece.co.uk and founded “Sustainable Travel AGORA” in 2022, promoting industry collaboration. With experience in European institutions, Eleni has been with the tourism board since 2004.
Eleni Skarveli
Director, Greek National Tourism Organisation
Elliott Ferguson is President and CEO of Destination DC, driving economic growth for Washington, DC. With over 35 years in the travel industry, he previously held leadership roles at the Atlanta and Savannah Convention and Visitors Bureaus. He prioritizes diversity, equity, and inclusion and chairs Tourism Diversity Matters. In 2023, Ferguson was inducted into the U.S. Travel Association Hall of Leaders.
Elliott Ferguson
President & CEO, Destination DC
Eulanda Shead Osagiede is an award-winning food culture and travel TV presenter and co-founder of Hey! Dip Your Toes In. Recognized as a top BAME high-flyer by WTM London, she has collaborated with brands like Google and Coca-Cola. Eulanda is a DEI advocate and Director of Operations for Black Travel Alliance. She also appears as a guest presenter on the award-winning TV series The Three Drinkers.
Eulanda Shead Osagiede
TV Presenter, Co-founder of HDYTI
Greg Barnett is Commissioning Editor for Channel 5 and Paramount+, overseeing Factual, Factual Entertainment, and Drama content. He has commissioned popular shows like Ben Fogle: New Lives In The Wild and Cruising with Jane McDonald, as well as dramas like Lie With Me and Riptide. His diverse programming reflects his passion for compelling storytelling across genres.
Greg Barnett
Commissioning Editor, UK Originals, Channel 5 & Paramount+
Hazel McGuire is the General Manager UK & Ireland at Intrepid Travel, focusing on responsible travel and leading strategy across UK and European markets. With 17 years of experience in senior roles, she has driven growth at Topdeck Travel, Back Roads Touring, and Big Bus Tours. In 2023, Hazel led her team to achieve 60% revenue growth compared to 2019 and record sales in January 2024.
Hazel McGuire
Director, UK & Ireland, Intrepid Travel
Lucy currently serves as the Head of Programme Strategy at Sky, where she plays a pivotal role in shaping content direction and programme planning, overseeing the Sky Pay Entertainment channels. Lucy has worked across the evolution of the portfolio, from Sky One, to the launch of the Factual Channels and Sky Showcase. Lucy previously worked for prominent broadcasters such as ITV, NBCUniversal, and UKTV.
Lucy Willmore
Head of Programme Strategy at Sky
Nathaniel Sherborne is Managing Director for Europe and Global Sales Enablement at HX Hurtigruten Expeditions. He focuses on sustainable, ethical growth and leads operations to remote parts of the world. Nathaniel previously worked at Carnival UK for 14 years, contributing to ship launches and sales strategies for brands like P&O Cruises and Cunard, and transforming travel agent engagement.
Nathaniel Sherborne
MD & VP, Europe & Global Sales Enablement, HX
Oddný Arnarsdóttir became Head of Visit Iceland in April, bringing seven years of experience at the tourism board. She has led successful campaigns promoting Iceland across key markets like North America and Europe. Oddný also oversees the Vestnorden travel trade show and sits on the Board of Nordic Tourism Collective. She holds a BA in Political Science and an MA in International Law.
Oddny Arnarsdottir
Head of Visit Iceland
Prue leads sustainability initiatives for brands like Explore Worldwide and Inghams. She integrates sustainability into company strategy and drives carbon reduction efforts. In 2024, Explore became Hotelplan’s first certified B-Corporation. Prue holds a master’s degree in Tourism, Environment, and Development and has over 15 years experience in tourism.
Prue Stone
Director of Sustainability, Hotelplan UK
The Travel Foundation is a global NGO focused on promoting responsible tourism and contributing to a net-zero future. Rebecca has a Masters in Responsible Tourism Management, Rebecca transitioned from law to tourism in 2008. She joined the Travel Foundation in 2021 after years as an independent consultant, working on sustainability projects in over 200 destinations worldwide.
Rebecca Armstrong
Sustainable Tourism Specialist, The Travel Foundation
Sophie Griffiths joined Travel Trade Gazette in 2010 and became editor in 2017. She founded TTG LGBT, promoting diversity, equity, and inclusion in travel. Sophie was named Editor of the Year at the PPA Independent Publisher Awards in 2018, 2019, and 2022. In January 2022, she became TTG’s first Chief Purpose Officer. Sophie recently returned from maternity leave after the birth of her daughter in 2023.
Sophie Griffiths
Editor and Chief Purpose Officer, TTG Media
Sophie Morgan is a British TV host, known for presenting the Paralympics and documentaries. In 2024, she’ll be one of the first disabled women to host for NBC Sports in the U.S. She co-founded Making Space Media and leads the Rights on Flights campaign for accessible air travel. Sophie writes for Condé Nast Traveler and published her bestselling memoir Driving Forwards in 2021.
Sophie Morgan
Presenter & Disability Advocate
Sue Bradley is the Director of Customer Experience at TUI UK & Ireland, shaping the customer journey and driving a customer-centric culture. TUI Group, one of the world’s leading tourism companies, operates over 400 hotels, 17 cruise ships, and five airlines. With 34 years at TUI, Sue ensures a high-quality experience for customers across the company’s global operations.
Sue Bradley
Director of Customer Experience TUI, UK&I
Tolene van der Merwe is the Director for the UK & Ireland at the Malta Tourism Authority, leading marketing and brand strategy. With over 25 years in tourism, she previously led South African Tourism’s UK & Ireland operations. Known for driving effective strategies, Tolene joined the Malta Tourism Authority in 2019 and collaborates with the travel trade to promote Malta’s tourism offerings.
Tolene Van Der Merwe
MD, Malta Tourism Authority
Tom McDonald is the Executive Vice President of Unscripted at National Geographic, overseeing programming for Disney+ and global channels. Under his leadership, National Geographic earned 34 Emmy nominations and 19 Critics Choice Documentary Awards nominations. Tom oversees teams in Washington, DC, New York, Los Angeles, and London. Previously, he was Managing Director of Factual at BBC Studios, securing commissions with major networks like BBC, Netflix, and Apple.
Tom McDonald
EVP Global Factual & Unscripted, National Geographic
Agenda:
Welcome from Karin Seymour (Director of Client & Marketing, Sky Media)
Insight into the UK Travel Market 2024 – Overview of the current macro drivers and consumer trends with Eleanor Scott (Partner at Strategy&, PWC)
Hot Topics: An Industry in Change – The travel industry is facing many challenges, from the impact of mass tourism to rising temperatures. What are the issues shaping the industry, how should they be addressed and in what way are they shifting consumer behaviour? Panel discussion with Annie Fitzsimmons (National Geographic Travel Expert & Editor-in-Chief at Embark Beyond), Eulanda Shead Osagiede (TV Presenter, Co-founder of HDYTI), Eleni Skarveli (Director, Greek National Tourism Organisation), Hazel McGuire (General Manager UK, Intrepid Travel) & Oddny Arnarsdottir (Head of Visit Iceland)
Sustainability: Doing the Right Thing – How must the sector collaborate to prioritise sustainability and responsible travel, whilst at the same time balancing the desire for business growth? Panel discussion with Sophie Griffiths (Editor and Chief Purpose Officer, TTG Media), Prue Stone (Director of Sustainability, Hotelplan UK), Nathaniel Sherborne (MD & VP, Europe & Global, Sales Enablement, HX) & Rebecca Armstrong (Sustainable Tourism Specialist, The Travel Foundation)
Beyond TV: A Look at the Future of Immersive Content – Crafting a new way of storytelling with Richard Nockles (Creative Director, Sky Immersive)
BREAK
Diversity, Inclusion and Accessibility: Travel for All – Across much of the travel industry, more still needs to be done to ensure diversity, inclusion and accessibility are at the heart of decision-making. Who is leading the way in the sector and how are their efforts impacting the experience for travellers? Panel discussion with Daniel Pearce (CEO & Owner, TTG Media), Elliott Ferguson (President & CEO, Destination DC), Tolene Van Der Merwe (MD, Malta Tourism Authority),
Sue Bradley (Director of Customer Experience TUI, UK&I) & Sophie Morgan (Presenter & Disability Advocate)
Set Jetting: Inspiring People to Travel – How TV plays an important role in travel inspiration and how brands can engage with audiences. Panel discussion with Karin Seymour, Greg Barnett (Commissioning Editor, UK Originals, Channel 5 & Paramount+), Tom McDonald (EVP Global Factual & Unscripted, National Geographic), Lucy Willmore (Head of Programming Strategy) & Dan Cohen (Director of Product & Advertising Innovation, Sky Media)
Drinks Reception (5:30 – 7:30PM)