Flight Centre Travel Group has added Uber’s Global Head of Uber for Business, Ronnie Gurion, to Illuminate 2019, its annual event dedicated to informing and providing insights into the global corporate travel industry.
Illuminate 2019 is being held on 12 September 2019 at The Venue, Alexandria, Sydney, where over 400 attendees will hear from some of Australia’s key business leaders and influencers. Registrations close on Friday 30 August 2019.
From the U.S., Ronnie Gurion will join a top-flight line-up of industry experts talking about the evolving world of corporate travel. Prior to joining Uber, he was the Chief Strategy Officer at HomeAway where he was responsible for business development, corporate development, strategic planning, and new growth initiatives. He also served as President at Orbitz between 2009 and its acquisition by Expedia in 2015 where he led the creation and rapid expansion of the Orbitz Partner Network into one of the leading providers of global travel technology solutions.
Paul Scurrah, CEO and Managing Director of the Virgin Australia Group, will open the day’s event and he will share his insights on Virgin Australia, the key trends within the aviation industry, and how the airline keeps ahead of the curve, particularly with regards to corporate travel.
John Eales, Australian rugby legend and business leader is also featuring as a keynote speaker. A Flight Centre Travel Group board member, John shares his insights into the similarities between sport and corporate business in learning, leadership and the driving factors for success.
Popular international media commentator and digital futurist Chris Riddell will share thought provoking insights into what tomorrow looks like.
James Kavanagh, Executive General Manager, FCTG Corporate said: “With our high-calibre speaker line-up, Illuminate is shaping as the perfect opportunity for procurement professionals, travel bookers, travel decision makers and c-suite executives to hear the latest news and insights from thought leaders and corporate travel executives.
“From the implementation of AI and technology innovation, to new distribution channels, emerging category trends and socially responsible policies, the future of travel presents new opportunities with exciting new innovations.”
A feature panel discussion will unpack the New Distribution Capability (NDC) and what it means for the future of air travel buying and flying and how it will impact us here in Australia. Panellists will include Sonya Lowry, Australasian ACTE Global Board Member; Darrin Grafton, CEO & Executive Director, Serko; Jason Toothman, Executive General Manager, NDC, FCTG; and Neil Fyfe, Vice President Global Account Technology, Sabre.
The after party, ‘Illuminate the Night’, allows attendees the opportunity to be entertained, relax and network with industry peers.
Illuminate 2019 is sponsored by Platinum Partners Sabre and Air Canada and is supported by Flight Centre Travel Group’s corporate businesses – FCM Travel Solutions, Corporate Traveller, cievents, Stage and Screen Travel Services and 4th Dimension Business Travel Consulting.
Ronnie Gurion, Uber’s Global Head of Uber for Business
