Events

🌎 Ten years after the Paris Climate Agreement at COP21, global leaders reunited at Paris City Hall. They aim to transition climate talks from negotiation to delivery, preceding COP30 in Belém, Brazil. By 2050, 70% of the world's population will live in cities, producing over 80% of emissions. C40 Cities, including 100 global cities, are outpacing national governments in emission reductions. The upcoming COP30 is seen as crucial for reaching 2030 climate goals on energy, equity, and resilience.

🍽 On August 2, 2025, Yotam Ottolenghi returns to Atzaró Agroturismo Hotel in Ibiza for an exclusive dining event. Set in a three-hectare organic garden, guests will enjoy a five-course dinner for €245, featuring organic produce, live music, and a signed cookbook. This one-night-only event celebrates Ottolenghi's Mediterranean cuisine and connection with nature, amidst Ibiza's luxurious rural retreat, marking it a highlight on the island’s calendar.

🍽 On Wednesday, June 11, 2025, Le Cordon Bleu London hosts "A Bite of Shanghai" at CORD on Fleet Street, celebrating Shanghai’s culinary heritage. Chef Ren Defeng, a Shanghai-style chef, collaborates with Le Cordon Bleu's chef team. Tickets cost £110, with a wine pairing at £55. Le Cordon Bleu, celebrating its 130th anniversary in 2025, operates 35 institutes in over 20 countries, training over 20,000 students annually. The event is part of the “Chinese Cuisine World Expression” series.

🍴 27 May 2025, Kuala Lumpur: FutureFWD by Informa Markets, hosted by Saladplate.com, will occur on 25 September 2025 at EQ Kuala Lumpur. This event addresses the transformative trends in Asia's food, beverage, and hospitality sectors. FutureFWD will feature keynotes, panels, and networking with over 200 industry leaders, focusing on trends, technology, and transformation. Notable speakers include Sameer Seth, Stefanie Wijono, and Paul Gabie, offering insights on sustainability, innovation, and marketing across generations. Visit www.saladplate.com/FutureFWD for more details.

📈 Nearly 1,000 hospitality professionals gathered in Atlanta for the AHLA Foundation's ForWard Conference in May 2025. This sixth annual event, previously held in Chicago, emphasized the power of diverse leadership and women's roles in hospitality. Notable speakers included Jennifer Hyman and Nicole Lynn. The conference featured networking and mentorship opportunities, with 92% of attendees rating it as excellent or very good. The AHLA Foundation aims to foster workforce development and advocacy.

🏨 Bashar Wali, a hospitality industry leader with a six-figure LinkedIn following, is the Founder and CEO of Practice Hospitality and lifestyle brand Another, based in Portland, USA. He discusses creating "cult" followings for brands, emphasizing belonging, safety, and human connection as keys to success. Wali argues that successful brands, like Apple, resonate with people on a deeper level, forming tribes without a checklist. Listen to his insights in the upcoming Insider Podcast episode!

🎯 Travel companies from the UK, Europe, and globally were celebrated in London at the 2023 Travolution Awards. Nominees can submit entries from 10 a.m. on Tuesday, May 20, leading up to the awards night on Thursday, November 27. Categories include Best Use of AI and Start-up of the Year. Sponsors include Mastercard, Gail Kenny Executive Recruitment, and Trip.com. Ice Travel Group, Travelport, and easyJet holidays won key awards.

🏠 Travolution European Summit, set for May 13, will be hosted at the carbon-neutral venue Events at No 6 in Aldgate, London. The summit features industry leaders like lastminute CEO Alessandro Petazzi and loveholiday CTO Mike Jones, discussing topics such as Web3 and travel ecosystem digitization. With the final tickets available, the event promises valuable networking and insights for attendees from the travel and technology sectors.

🌍 B2B tour operator Vista, after rebranding in 2023, celebrates a record year with cruise sales now over a third of their business. A new dedicated Touring team expands their services to meet the growing demand for authentic travel experiences. The Touring team supports the strategy of Hays Travel for a balanced booking distribution. Kathleen Molloy highlights the growth in cruise sales from just over 20% and the importance of bespoke itineraries. Heather Hutton, with 18-year industry experience, leads the Touring division, offering expert agent support and exclusive offers. Fam trips have also been introduced.