WIN Global Travel Network and Hickory Global Partners will co-host this year’s Virtual ITMC Summit on 27 and 28 July 2021 focusing on the key corporate travel industry topics of Capital, Care and Communication.

The two-part event will take place each day from 10:30am to 1:00pm EST/3:30pm to 6:00pm UK time on the Deal Room virtual event platform enabling delegates to attend plenary speaker sessions and a virtual expo, as well as network with other attendees.

The annual ITMC Summit provides independent TMCs from around the globe the opportunity to meet with TMC peers and travel suppliers to build business relationships. Summit sessions will enable sharing of knowledge, global insights, opinions and practical advice from TMCs, leading industry professionals and speakers on a wide range of topics that are critical to the business travel industry.

As ITMC 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic, Virtual ITMC was launched and is now in its second year. Hosted online, Virtual ITMC 2021 has an agenda of insightful and educational sessions suitable for all sectors of the travel ecosystem and is open to buyers, suppliers and TMCs. The event is being sponsored by Fiesta Americana Hotels & Resorts and supported by Extended Stay America, Marriott International and IHG Hotels & Resorts. Registration is complimentary for delegates.

Moderated by Paul Tilstone, Managing Partner at Festive Road, speakers will include: Sharlene Ketwaroo-Nanoo, Rogers Communications; Drew Mitchell, Regional Travel Director – The Americas at Cognizant Technology Solutions; Jon Gray, Principal at Rockport Analytics; and Tyler Hosford, Regional Security Manager at International SOS.

Julia Lo Bue-Said, CEO at Advantage Travel Partnership majority shareholder in WIN Global Travel Network will open the Summit and Chris Dane, President and Managing Partner at Hickory Global Partners will close the event.

John Hobbs-Hurrell, Head of WIN Global Travel Network, said: “Virtual ITMC 2021 will prepare WIN and Hickory partners as well as independent TMCs for the long-awaited return of travel. As demand grows we will look at the short and long term requirements and expectations from the end user. Focusing on some specific pillars, Capital, Care and Communication we help the TMC bring value to their customers as demand increases. This year’s event will hopefully pave the way for an ITMC in-person event in 2022.”

“We are thrilled to have the opportunity to co-host such a worthwhile event and further the purpose of the ITMC Summit. Our goal is to provide an engaging, informative and thought-provoking platform to explore and discuss the topics that are most relevant and timely in the corporate travel industry,” says Chris Dane, President and Managing Partner at Hickory Global Partners.

The ITMC Summit is the only conference that caters to Independent Travel Management Companies (TMCs) across the globe, representing over US$34 billion in business travel sales in 2019.

The event agenda is as follows:

10:30am-11:00 am EST/3:30pm-4:00pm UK: Networking

11:00am-11:35am EST/4:00pm-4:35pm UK: Welcome and Main Stage (guest speaker and panel)

11:50am-12:15pm EST/4:50pm-5:15pm UK: Breakout Sessions (huddles)

12:20pm-12:35pm EST/5:20pm-5:35pm UK: Main Stage (recap and close)

12:35pm-1:00pm EST/5:35pm-6:00pm UK: Networking

To register for the event, please visit: https://virtualitmc2021.dealroomevents.com/

About Hickory Global Partners

Founded over 40 years ago, Hickory Global Partners is an industry-leading global alliance for corporate travel agencies, corporate travel departments (CTDs) and corporations that delivers unparalleled negotiated discounts and commissions, resources, support and value that significantly benefits its members, and ultimately, their clients. Hickory Global Partners bridges the gap between members and suppliers and raises the bar on what being a global corporate travel alliance is all about. Its visionary hotel program, robust air program, one-of-a kind ground transportation program, comprehensive ancillary portfolio and cutting-edge technology and tools, make HICKORY an important strategic partner in the corporate travel industry. For more information, visit www.hickoryglobalpartners.com.

About WIN Global Travel Network

WIN is a select group of corporate travel specialists working together to provide a superior service to global clients. They provide local service excellence using global products and technology to build a truly locally global solution. There are around 6,000 travel agent members in over 75 countries worldwide. For more information, visit www.wintravel.org or contact John Hobbs-Hurrell (Head of WIN Global Travel Network) at + 44 (0) 20 7324 3915 or johnh@wintravel.org.