Story Of The Advantage Conference 2018
The Advantage Conference 2018 was held in Miami from 10-13 May, around 450 delegates were in attendance for three days of inspiring speakers, thought-provoking content and fantastic networking opportunities.
Here’s the story of the Advantage Conference 2018 told through the tweets, photos and feedback from the delegates.
Conference Highlights Video
2018 Conference Programme
TTG Interview With Jerry Springer
Welcome Reception
Friday
After a high energy introductory and surprise opening rap from our guest moderator, Chris Turner, Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO of Advantage then took to the stage to officially start the Advantage Conference 2018.
Julia talked about a challenging year for the year industry and pinpointed some areas with crucial developments in place to strengthen and continue Advantage’s growth and position in the industry.
We took a step back in time and looked at the story of Advantage 40 years ago with some friendly faces featuring on the big screen including ex-director Colin O’Neill, and Neil Armorgie, our Global Product Director, CEO WIN.
The organisation was rebranded as Advantage in the early 00s, so during the presentation, we looked at how it has evolved and grown since then to what it is today.
Good morning @AdvantageHQ conference. 7:30am and we’ve got freestyle rap from Chris Turner. #advconf18 pic.twitter.com/4JTcNJRQoI
— Ben Jaxen Ireland (@ben_ireland_11) May 11, 2018
Welcome to our moderator Chris turner who is opening with a rap - USA style! #advconf18 pic.twitter.com/T8zZ7xbGDL
— Claire Brighton (@clairebrig) May 11, 2018
Friday
Our first main session on stage showcased how leaders in our industry got to where they are today, the twists, the turns their journeys took and how that gives them a perspective on the future evolution of travel.
Speakers: Antonia Wysong, Delta. Adolfo Perez, Carnival Cruise Line. Nick Scott, arrangeMY and moderated by Paula Lacey, Advantage.
I loved the moving life story of Delta Captain @Antoniawysong — “Don’t be afraid of failure: You are either winning or learning” amazing speaker #advconf18 @AdvantageHQ
— Stanislas Berteloot (@berteloot) May 11, 2018
Hard to pickup the mic after her. The transition to the next slot was a bit abrupt... pic.twitter.com/PjylPlHPYp
More career stories on stage now, including @arrangeMY md Nick Scott #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/PJJqn2f5Tk
— Matt Parsons (@matt_parsons) May 11, 2018
Great career stories from @arrangeMY boss Nick Scott & @CarnivalCruise boss @adolfo_personal. Take chances, find mentors/inspiring role models, & try not to sweat the small stuff. #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/YgaoHEyXbu
— Pippa Jacks (@philippajacks) May 11, 2018
What an inspiring talk from @WysongAntonia a female pilot with @Delta Airlines #AdvConf18 #Miami #AmazingLady pic.twitter.com/4y5kc2UoQG
— Travel B Corporate (@TBCorporate) May 12, 2018
Friday
Despite geopolitical challenges, the rise of the machines and changes to society, travel is the never-ending story. During the leisure breakout sessions delegates looked at how you keep up with your storyline, how do you remain that you remain part of the story, and how to feature as a central character in the next chapter.
The sessions covered the below areas, with some fantastic speakers presenting:
Ye Olde Folk Tale – Debbie Marshall from Silver Travel Advisor provided a great insight in to understanding the silver market.
All Inclusive – Pippa Jacks from TTG and Dan Robertson from Vercida Consulting discussed inclusiveness and what this means for businesses today in the travel industry.
Digital Noise – Bruce Martin from Ginger Juice gave an engaging and informative session on social media.
The Page Turner – sales due Bob Morrell and Jeremy Blake from Reality Training organised a highly interactive workshop on sales techniques for your customers.
Tales of the Unexpected – Adventure touring was the topic here with Giles Hawke from ATAS and Lucy Huxley from Travel Weekly leading the session. Advantage’s John Sullivan announced a partnership with ATAS and the launch of our touring platform, Tour Finder.
A Seafarers Tale – a first time for a cruise session, delegates got to experience ‘life on board’ through a sensory session with champagne, music and blindfolds all on hand to take our delegates right on to a cruise ship.
@CLIAUK Andy Harmer on the Challenge for agents is to talk to new to cruising in the language of experiences, the future market is still huge and the travel agency community could grow it tenfold @AdvantageHQ #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/MTTTjhEuFy
— Debbie Flynn (@flynn_debbie) May 11, 2018
Wow, so much to look forward to in old age...not! @SilverTravelAd Debbie gives us an entertaining and funny presentation on oldie travel. #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/mPydwjb5Iy
— Janet Parton (@janetparton) May 11, 2018
Great to see and hear my old work buddy Bruce Martin up on stage talking all things social media!. Some great tips there...#AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/5jdfSLM9oa
— Barbara Kolosinska (@BK_CandM) May 11, 2018
@philippajacks talks Diversity and how to embrace. @CelebrityUK is on that journey. Great session. #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/jQTzL7HtbM
— BhavP (@BhavneetaP) May 11, 2018
Press coverage
TTG
“Our platform uses API feeds from all major UK touring and adventure operators ensuring the tours, prices and information are the latest available.”
Travelmole
"Advantage Tour Finder has been designed for travel agents who do not have a large technology development budget but do want an intelligent and easy to use platform that can be built and installed within a few hours."
Travel Weekly
“It will save us trawling through brochures looking for something suitable as it will all be in one place. Anything that can save us time and help us create better itineraries can only be good.”
Attendee feedback
The leisure sessions were rated 4.4 out of 5
Bob & Jeremy I thought were amazing - so many ideas given to drive the business.
Interactive, engaging and passionate.
Debbie Marshall was fantastic, I could listen to her view on the industry all day.
Silver Travel Advisor bought humour to a very real subject and one that was also very relevant to the audience.
The Reality Training session was really interesting, I have taken most of this back to try and use myself in the office. Really interesting.
Friday
In the business travel break out we took things back to basics and showed delegates how to build a compelling narrative and communicate it creatively with confidence.
The sessions covered the below areas, with some really knowledgeable speakers presenting:
The Narrator’s Prologue/ Outlining the Plot – Travelport’s Chief Storyteller, Jason Nash moderated the day’s sessions guiding the room through the art of good business storytelling.
Have I Got Fake News For You: Gameshow? – Ron DiLeo discussed the hop topics that will have a series impact on our delegates in 2018 and beyond.
Telling Stories – Our Buyer panel shared the biggest challenges facing them in 2018 and beyond.
StorySlam – Stan Berteloot from VisaHQ presented on how you develop a compelling narrative around your brand.
How to Tell the Story of you – Kevin Iwamato from Goldspring Consulting gave an inspiring session on how to build your brand and maintain it throughout your career.
Next session is called ‘Have I got fake news for you’. In a Trump hotel. Genius! Moderated by Ron DiLeo from In The Black group - formerly of Rosenbleuth #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/BxUt7zXfQz
— Matt Parsons (@matt_parsons) May 11, 2018
It's like a meeting of the dispossessed and dangerous @AdvantageHQ with @KevinIwamoto and Ron DiLeo. Thank You for coming and spending your time presenting guys #ShareConsultancyLove #BeTheRoad #AdvConf18 pic.twitter.com/PgwdFsNH3k
— Paul Tilstone (@paultilstone) May 10, 2018
Great to see the latest @AdvantageBT conference has made the @BBT_online magazine already, great reading about booming business travel #AdvConf18 #BusinessTravel https://t.co/veIic7EL2s pic.twitter.com/K6sZIj1eL5
— Omega BusinessTravel (@omegabiztravel) May 15, 2018
Sun, sea and business travel summit, what a wonderfully producive day at the Miami Advantage Conference! #AdvConf18 #TMCSummit18 #TravelThinkers #Biztravel @advantagefocus pic.twitter.com/wsgVTQvP70
— INC. Travel Group (@IncTravel) May 11, 2018
Press coverage
Buying Business Travel
"We have established ourselves as the home of the independent TMC – with a potential pipeline of an extra £400 million worth of buying power. Commission paid to its TMC members had also risen 200 per cent over the past year, compared with growth of 72 per cent for its leisure members. "
The Business Travel Magazine
“Consolidation, relationships and technology were among the key themes considered at the Advantage Conference, where the consortium's management also announced significant growth in business travel sales.”
Attendee feedback
Best part was Kevin Iwamoto's presentation. Very engaging and interesting.
Jason Nash was excellent.
Personally found it interesting and thought provoking.
Kevin Iwamto was amazing, when I got back I ordered the book!
Friday
Saturday
The final afternoon of the two-day event showcased our final plenary session, focusing on the constantly evolving political and economic story and the changing consumer need.
Speakers: Peter Greenberg, CBS Travel News. Joanna Kolatsis, Hill Dickinson and Steven Esom, Advantage Chairman.
Unexpected speech - I was blown away by his humbleness. So quick witted too, could have listened to him more. Brilliant contrast with Peter Greenberg. Great afternoon, well done again #AdvConf18 https://t.co/jOPbObVZI2
— Matt Parsons (@matt_parsons) May 12, 2018
#AdvConf18 Afternoon session starts loving this #CBS Peter Greenberg voice of reason - algorithms have no common sense @NoradGroup been saying this for years!! pic.twitter.com/b1iPbxpbfA
— Mick Gibbs (@MickGibbs1) May 12, 2018
There are new sectors coming on and you need collateral to showcase them. So I am a big fan of brochures. They have a valuable place, says Steven Esom @AdvantageHQ #advconf18
— Lucy Huxley (@Lucy_Huxley) May 12, 2018
Saturday
For our final and much-anticipated session of the conference, our keynote speaker TV star Jerry Springer told the audience his own story, as well as one of challenging politics and life in showbiz.
Very excited to meet Jerry Springer. Inspired by his wise words and insights. Judge people by what they do not who they are - we should all live by that mantra. @jerryspringer #advconf18 pic.twitter.com/L2FC8rLKuu
— SilverTravelAdvisor (@SilverTravelAd) May 12, 2018
He’s here, the one we’ve all been waiting for, Jerry Jerry #AdvConf18 #JerryStringer pic.twitter.com/3ePvLJke1k
— TravelMole (@TravelMole) May 12, 2018
@jerryspringer “formally apologises” to #AdvConf18 delegates for The Jerry Springer Show pic.twitter.com/fRXmqBMcmZ
— Ben Jaxen Ireland (@ben_ireland_11) May 12, 2018
JERRY JERRY JERRY Springer brings the house down at #AdvConf18 @TrumpDoral pic.twitter.com/dz1DGekVpR
— Travel Professionals (@TravelProCobham) May 12, 2018
Saturday
We were delighted to announce on stage that the destination for 2019 will be Cadiz in Spain. A beautiful part of old-fashioned Spain, add 17-20 May to your diaries now!
That’s right, we’re heading back to Europe to traditional old fashioned Spain. We’re going to Cadiz on 17-20 May 2019 and we can’t wait! #AdvConf18 #AdvConf19 pic.twitter.com/rwBeHpJysX
— Advantage Travel Partnership (@AdvantageHQ) May 12, 2018
#AdvConf19 @AdvantageHQ pic.twitter.com/c2khnhFIA0
— Anwar Sohawon (@Anwar_TTG) May 12, 2018
Save the date #AdvConf19 #Cadiz 17 to 20 May - can’t wait! https://t.co/m6u8Os8qzM
— Travel Professionals (@TravelProCobham) May 14, 2018
Saturday
After an unexpected rainfall, our pool party moved inside for a spectacular gala dinner night. Our rap moderator Chris Turner performed his final showpiece which made the audience howl with laughter! Our sponsors for the evening Holiday Extras, organised a fantastic evening with games and more – all in all, a great final night!
Sunday
Delegates made the most of their time left in Miami and then headed to the airport to make the long journey home.
Here are our Advantage Conference 2018 highlights. Roll on next year, 2019 #AdvConf19
Conference feedback
- The overall format of the speed dating session rated 4.4 out of 5.
- The whole setting the scene and personal storytelling really inspired the group to think about their own stories for the remainder of the conference.
- Pre-conference information and communications were rated 4.6 out of 5.
- The overall organisation during the conference was rated 4.6 out of 5.
- As always, an amazing job on the organisation.
- Each year the conference improves. The speakers this year were all fantastic.
- The compere was absolutely fantastic and I would certainly be using his services again for the next conference.
- I have grown to love the Advantage Conference over the past 4-5 years that I have attended. The organisation is always to a very high standard and the team should be congratulated for that. I completely appreciate the huge challenges that Advantage must face when facilitating such a huge event and for so many people but the key to the success, in my opinion, is creating memorable environments where members, business partners and guests can network and establish long-lasting relationships.
- 92.26% of delegates said they would be joining us in Cadiz.
Press coverage
TTG
“Miami has been a resounding success and we look forward to welcoming Advantage members in Cadiz.”
Travel Weekly
“Business is increasingly about what a brand stands for as well as what they are selling. We want our members to go away having heard inspirational stories that can help shape the way they promote their own businesses and tell their own story.”
Travelmole
"As the Advantage conference is a yearly event in many members' calendars we chose Cadiz as the 2019 venue because it offers a juxtaposed experience to Miami."