Reflections from the Rock: My take on the BTA Autumn Conference in Gibraltar

The BTA Autumn Conference in Gibraltar, what an experience!

I’m not sure if it was the stunning backdrop, the wealth of knowledge shared, or just the sheer joy of connecting with so many brilliant minds that left such a lasting impression on me.

In what was a unique annual visit for me personally, I battled the alien experience of being the silent one in the room, as a sore throat took my voice for the week - a challenge at any conference - but especially when you’re in my line of work. Let’s just say, it’s the quietest I’ve been in some time. But despite my vocal limitations, I was still deeply engaged, soaking up the insights, and of course, making the most of the networking.

A gathering of visionaries and change-makers

This year’s event in Gibraltar felt particularly special. From the warm welcome by the BTA’s very own Ant and Dec - Clive Wratten and Andrew Clarke - to the engaging presentations by industry leaders, there was an undeniable energy in the room.

One of the key themes of this year’s conference was the future of business travel, and the discussions and workshops were thought-provoking and future focused. We heard from political commentator Steve Richards, who gave a deep dive into the UK political landscape post-election, and Juha Jarvinen from Virgin Atlantic reflected on their decade-long partnership with Delta Air Lines, proof that collaboration drives innovation.

As long-time, valued partners of The BTA and TMC community, it was fantastic to have Virgin Atlantic with us, celebrating their 40th anniversary year – and we’ve seen enormous value from them across those 40 years. Joining the industry back in 1984 and shaking up the airline status quo, they have innovated and driven the market forward. As disrupters ourselves, we love someone that stirs the pot of market progress - recognising their value and appreciating fresh ideas and perspectives.

Away from business travel, a personal highlight was hearing from the inspiring Mandy Hickson, a former RAF fighter pilot. Her story about resilience struck a chord - if you’ve got a dream, don’t give up and don’t let people tell you that ‘it’ - whatever ‘it’ is - cannot be achieved. Mandy showed us that no matter the setbacks or obstacles, there’s always a way around them if you keep pushing forward. For a moment, I found myself daydreaming about swapping the corporate world for the fast jet cockpit, until I was politely advised I was too old to sign up. It looks like I’ll have to stick with this amazing industry after all!

The heart of the conference: Connection and innovation

Beyond the presentations, there was an underlying theme of togetherness and the power of collaboration. With ongoing challenges like content fragmentation, discussed in a panel led by Clive Wratten and international partners, it became clear that we need to double down on partnerships to keep pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in corporate travel. This was further highlighted in the launch of a fantastic white paper titled ‘Navigating Fragmentation in Corporate Travel: Strategic Imperatives for Travel Management Companies (TMCs) across a Global Market,’ commissioned by The BTA, Association of Travel Management Companies (ATMC), GEBTA, and produced by Black Box Partnerships. It’s an important piece of work, leading the conversation on how to address content fragmentation in corporate travel as our sector continues to evolve.

Sustainability was another hot topic. Dr Liesl Mesilio Torres delivered an inspiring session on environmental innovation in Gibraltar, and I have to say, I learned more about the environmental significance of the UK’s 14 overseas territories during this conference than I have in a lifetime. It was a thought-provoking reminder that as an industry, we have a responsibility to lead the charge toward greener, more sustainable business travel.

The next generation: investment in our future leaders

When considering the future of business travel, people are the linchpin, so it was fantastic to see the BTA Next Generation Advisory Board attending the conference, many of them experiencing it for the first time. The board is an exciting initiative by the BTA, designed to engage with the next generation of leaders in our industry, broadening its appeal to a more diverse demographic.

We were especially proud to have our own Georgia Suttie, National Operations Manager and Neil Wainwright-Farrar, Head of Learning and Development, representing us. Watching them and their peers connect, learn and contribute at such an important event was a true highlight. It’s reassuring to know that the future of our industry is in such capable hands.

Breaking a sweat and building bonds

Of course, it wouldn’t be a BTA event without some light relief to balance a packed schedule. The conference was wonderfully punctuated by activities that got everyone up early. While others tackled the 5k up the Rock, I was treated to a boat tour that included a lesson on the mating life of dolphins - incredibly interesting - but I’ll leave the details to National Geographic while we stick to business travel! A huge thanks to our sponsors for organising those fantastic activities. They were a great way to kick-start the day, blow off cobwebs and break the ice with fellow delegates.

Looking ahead

As I reflect on my time in Gibraltar, I’m left with a profound sense of optimism. Yes, we’re facing challenges - content fragmentation, the need for greater sustainability offerings and propositions and an evolving workforce - but the BTA Autumn Conference reminded us that this industry thrives on innovation, collaboration and a shared commitment to progress.

So, here’s to the future! If Gibraltar taught me anything, it’s that we’re all ready to take the next step, not just as individuals but as a united force driving the business travel industry forward.

Until next time, though hopefully with my voice intact!