The International Luxury Travel Market is launching its first Future Forum with an exceptional line up of high profile speakers and experts from the world of luxury travel. The Future Forum takes place on Monday 8 December in Cannes and will be the launch event of this year’s show. In a shorter, punchier and more interactive format, it replaces the conference that was traditionally held on the Monday before the show.   The Forum will comprise a keynote speaker, panel discussion, expert overview and audience research.

This year’s keynote speaker is Larry Hochman, a former European Business Speaker of the Year and a globally recognised expert on Customer Relationships, Leadership and Corporate Culture. Larry will be speaking on Instilling a Customer Service Ethos.

With the over-arching theme of the global economic climate, other vital business challenges will be tackled by Guy Gillon, Corporate Finance Director, PricewaterhouseCoopers, who jointly heads up PwC’s travel and tourism team, and Piers Bracher, founder of one of London’s leading luxury marketing agencies, Diamond Advertising.

A panel of experts has been assembled to give a diverse and challenging view of the issues facing the luxury market.  Matthew Upchurch, CEO of Virtuoso, brings years of experience and a global viewpoint to the panel. He will be joined by Graham Boynton, Travel Editor of the Daily Telegraph and Dominic Speakman, founder and CEO of the internet-based UK luxury operator, Destinology.

For the first time, the audience of up to 1000 senior industry figures from around the globe will be involved in real-time research with the results being published the following day at ITLM.

An Executive Summit will precede the Forum with a select group of the world’s most senior luxury travel decision makers and influencers gathering to discuss the business challenges facing the industry.

Christina Wood, Exhibition Director said: “We are looking forward to launching this year’s show with an exceptional Forum. Having such a high calibre of experts and panellists we anticipate some real insight, thought leadership and invigorating debate.  The research will also provide unique global market intelligence from the most influential people in the business.”