New speakers have been added to the line-up for the 2016 TTG LGBT conference, taking place in London on July 20.
The event will build on last year’s inaugural TTG LGBT Conference, and will educate travel companies wanting to start selling and marketing to the LGBT sector.
Sessions will focus on an overview of the LGBT market, and how customers respond to LGBT specific advertising; case studies from businesses that have diversified with specialist offerings for the LGBT market; top LGBT-friendly destinations – and countries that are now starting to reach out to the LGBT market.
There will also be unique sessions on how to market effectively to the LGBT sector, including the dos and don’ts, and lessons that can be learned from other businesses and industries.
Newly announced speakers include:- Tris Reid-Smith, editor-in-chief of Gay Star News, who will give an overview of the current market value, and examine how far the LGBT audience wants to be engaged and offered specialist marketing.
- Jean Reddan, head of marketing for Lloyds Bank Retail and Wealth Marketing Communications, who will discuss the group’s own recent marketing campaigns which have embraced inclusion and diversity.
- Michelle Toft, chief marketing officer at Coregeo, responsible for brands such as Pink Lady apples, which is gearing up to support London Pride for the second year.
- Carol Hay, director of marketing for UK and Europe at the Caribbean Tourism Organization, who will discuss the Caribbean destinations that actively target the LGBT Market, why others are keen to get on board; and the challenges this may entail.
- Peter Vella, director UK and Ireland, Malta Tourist Office, who will examine what Malta is doing to ensure it is appealing to the LGBT sector in terms of marketing and advertising, why Malta is so keen to target the LGBT market, and the elements that make Malta such an LGBT friendly destination.
They will join previously announced speakers, who include:
- Helen Roberts, Kuoni’s sales director, who will discuss how the operator launched its own specialist LGBT trained experts.
- Simon Altham, managing director of Hoseasons, who will explain how and why the holiday park company started marketing to the LGBT sector within its mainstream brochures.
- Ian Johnson, founder of LGBT marketing specialist Out Now Consulting, who will offer key marketing tips on how to attract the LGBT sector.
- Darren Burn, founder of LGBT specialist travel agency OutofOffice.com, which launched last year, and who will discuss the triumphs – and challenges – of setting up an LGBT specialist travel firm.
Meanwhile, Kellie Maloney has been announced as the keynote speaker.
Formerly known as Frank Maloney, she came to prominence as a flamboyant boxing manager and promoter, steering several of the UK’s greatest boxers to glory during a long and successful career in the fight game. In 2014, Frank announced that he was to undergo gender reassignment, and become known as Kellie.
