Advantage to combine 2024 conference with ITMC Summit

The Advantage Travel Partnership has decided to combine its annual conference in 2024 with its yearly event for independent travel management companies (ITMCs).

Both events will be held in Costa Mujeres, Mexico, between May 15-18, which is when the annual conference was originally scheduled to take place on its own.

Advantage’s director of global business travel, Guy Snelgar, said it made sense to combine the two events given that last year’s ITMC Summit in Fort Lauderdale was a “huge success” and many delegates who attend are based in North America.

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Advantage chief executive Julia Lo Bue-Said said: “The ability to leverage our scale goes beyond borders and operating disciplines and our 2024 conference will not only unite a more global travel community but will also shine a light on the positive impact that travel can have.”

Snelgar said having a larger and “more collaborative” gathering would mean there would be more of a focus on business travel than ever before for ITMC delegates.

He added: “We will also be giving an in-depth view of the leisure space both in the main plenary and through a dedicated leisure travel workstream and workshops.”

Advantage said it wants its long-haul conference to be an opportunity to show the economic and social contributions that the travel industry can make to local communities.

Lo Bue-Said added: “For the first time, our conference will be our opportunity to give back to a destination’s community, recognising that the travel industry is a force for good, whilst ensuring that the event is intrinsically designed to be as eco-friendly as possible.

“To achieve this ambition, we are now actively engaging in initiatives that will enable delegates to support and connect with local communities, and enjoy immersive experiences such as cultural exchanges, community service projects and collaborations with local businesses.

“From the hotel we are using that is committed to observing robust sustainable practices to menus that will support locally sourced ingredients with minimal waste, our ultimate goal is to leave a positive and lasting impact for delegates, the environment and communities of Cancun.”