Flight Centre Travel Group has announced the stellar line-up and opened registrations for Illuminate 2021, the most anticipated corporate travel event of the year, taking place on Thursday, 21 October.

Illuminate 2021 is a virtual event where some of Australia’s top business leaders will be sharing their advice to businesses of all sizes. Any small business in the travel industry will find it valuable. Speakers will share advice on business travel endurance and recovery strategies and how to navigate industry issues post-pandemic. Insights will also be shared on Australia’s economic recovery and its impact on business.

Illuminate 2021 will offer an immersive and interactive experience for all attendees. The theme is ‘Time to Fly’ and will light the way forward for the business travel industry, exploring how companies can navigate travel once domestic and international borders are lifted.

Keynote speakers Alan Joyce and Jayne Hrdlicka will join Westpac Chief Economist Bill Evans, human behaviourist and co-founder of The Behaviour Report, Dan Gregory, and gold medallist swimmer and Tokyo 2021 open ceremony flag bearer for Australia, Cate Campbell, OAM, with a collective focus on business travel endurance and recovery strategies, while combatting industry issues post-pandemic.

“We’re delighted to bring Illuminate back after a one-year hiatus. It continues to be a truly stand-out event for the corporate travel industry across the country,” said Managing Director of Flight Centre Travel Group in Australia, James Kavanagh.

“Our sterling line-up of top industry leaders and inspiring speakers will share key insights for a return to travel, including exploring the way forward for businesses, the industry post-pandemic, and the path to freedom we can all look forward to.

“I encourage all businesses that travel to attend the event to equip themselves with the knowledge and tools needed to help them to return to travel safely and effectively. Innovation is at the very heart of what we provide for clients and customers, and the virtual event will also showcase that.”

Illuminate 2021 agenda

• 9:00 am to 09:30 (AEDT): Partner Showcase
• 9:30am to 9:50am (AEDT): Flying High in a Post-Pandemic World – Qantas CEO Alan Joyce takes us on a journey of what to expect domestically and internationally for the remainder of 2021 and beyond
• 10:00am to 10:15am (AEDT): No more talking heads. Why face to face is critical for businesses and brands – CEO of the Impossible Institute and a specialist in human behaviour is Illuminate guest speaker Dan Gregory
• 10:15am to 10:25am (AEDT): Swimming towards 2032 – FCM’s General Manager Melissa Elf and swimming gold medallist Cate Campbell, OAM, discuss navigating change and what it takes to succeed in the face of a pandemic and beyond
• 10:30am to 10:45am (AEDT): In Panel: Putting Responsible Travel into practice – Responsible Travel – what is it, and how is it influencing travel programs and business strategy?
• 10:45am to 10:50am (AEDT): The future has arrived… in the USA – If the travel environment in the USA is anything to go by, we better prepare for a speedy return to elevated business activity
• 10:50am to 11:10am (AEDT): Partner Showcase
• 10:55am to 11:00am (AEDT): It’s time to hit the reset button for the hotel industry – General Manager of FCM Consulting, Felicity Burke, along with Quest’s Anthea Dimitrakopoulos talk hotel trends – rates, occupancy levels, location, demand, and forward predictions
• 11:15am to 11:30am (AEDT): Bill Evans puts the future of finance into perspective – Business is one thing. But economic markets are another. Get up to speed on what the fiscal future looks like with Bill Evans, a renowned Australian Economist
• 11:40am to 12:00pm (AEDT): Virgin poised and ready for post-pandemic success – Virgin Australia Group CEO and former Chief Executive at Jetstar and A2 Milk Jayne Hrdlicka will talk to Virgin Australia’s business transformation and direction for the future
• 12:00pm to 12:20pm (AEDT): The Covid Classroom – Grab your fins and mask as Flight Centre CEO Skroo Turner takes a deep dive into the important lessons of 2020 and how pivoting is here to stay for the travel industry
• 12:30pm to 13:30pm (AEDT): Partner Showcase
• 13:30pm (AEDT): Close.

Illuminate 2021 will be live-streamed via OnAir by Events Air from 09:00am to 13:00pm (AEST) on Thursday, 21 October 2021. FLIGHT CENTRE Travel Group (FCTG) has opened registrations for Illuminate