Agenda and Speakers

Our Agenda and Speakers

Agenda 12 June

10:00-16:00	LCC Business Travel Meeting
13:00	Optional: Braga City Bike/Walk Tour by LCC
13:00	Optional: Tile Making Workshop at the Pool by LCC
15:00	DMC Seller Workshop: Driving sales
16:00	Sponsors Meet and Greet
16:00	Newbie’s Reception
16:30	Speeddating Lobby, Level 1
18:00	Departure Dinner
19:00	Surprise
20:15	Xplore History - LCC Opening Night Dress Code: Elegant

Agenda 13 June: Destinations | DMC | ESG | Hospitality | Luxury

08:30	Conference Opening Leisure Day Opening Speech: LCC - What's NXT? Martina Groenegres, Managing Director
08:50	Keynote: How Portugal prepares for the new level of traveller behaviour Porto Convention Bureau
09:05	Keynote Customer centricity entering the next level Melia International
09:20	Panel: Next Generation ESG – how destinations and hospitality prepare for accelerating sustainability and changing demands Panel debate with Visit Panama, Porto Convention Bureau, Melia Hotels and LCC members
09:50	Coffee Break Meet our sponsors and DMC Sellers in two vivid exhibition areas
10:30	DMC EXPO - Exhibit Showcase with your DMC Network Enjoy an intense buyer-seller networking and business platform and connect live or via the app for your appointments at 42 DMC destination booths. Collect your QR codes to enter the amazing lottery at our gala night.
12:40	Educational Sessions
13:40	Lunch
15:20	Keynote RateHawk
15:35	Keynote Above and Beyond Hotel Programme
15:50	Plenary: Closing Session
16:00	Time to Change Refreshment Break, time to change for DMC Live Tour and Dinner
17:00	A Ride Back In Time Departure DMC Live Tour – the tour will end at our dinner venue. No break inbetween to change clothing. Dress Code: Smart casual, comfortable shoes
20:45	Minho Street Festival Under The Stars Enjoy a colourful and vibrant Portuguese street festival under the enchanting Portuguese night sky (outdoor venue) DMC Lottery Dress code: Smart Casual

Agenda 14 June: AI | Distribution | Corporate

09:00	Conference Main Stage – Opening Innovation & Tech Day Martina Groenegres Going NXT: Human Digitality in travel – innovation disrupting the industry IATA
09:30	Innovation Start Up Stage Get inspired in by four travel disruptor pitches that challenge the industry
10:00	Keynote: By Lufthansa German Airlines Johannes Walter Vice President Area Management Home Markets and Global B2B Servicing
10:20	Keynote: By Tripstax Jack Ramsey, Eoin Landers, Tripstax
10:35	Coffee Break
11:15	Keynote: By Amadeus
11:30	Panel: NXT Level Distribution With Sabre, Travelport, Hahnair, Amadeus and LCC Use Case
12:00	SUPPLIER EXPO Meet all our preferred suppliers at their booths and connect over a cup of coffee
14:00	Networking Outdoor Lunch at the pool
15:30	Educational Sessions
16:40	Coffee Break
17:15	Going NXT - Uncovering the next wave of innovation in travel Keynote Speaker
18:10	Recap: Key Take Away’s to make you successful as LCC Martina Groenegres
18:20	End of Programme
21:00	Xquisite Gala Night – An Evening of Gourmet Elegance LCC Awards Show – Live Voting Supplier Lottery Kindly sponsored by Melia Hotels Dress Code: Elegant (silver and black)

Managing Director, Lufthansa City Center International GmbH

Martina Groenegres

On Stage:
13 June, 8:30 am | Opening and Keynote
14 June, 8:30 am | Opening
14 June, 6 pm | Closing

Since 2020, Martina holds the position of Managing Director at Lufthansa City Center International. As a global travel leader, she brings a breadth of experience in all commercial disciplines including strategy, government relations, sales and services departments in the aviation, travel and transport industry.

Connect on LInkedIn

Keynote Speaker, Silicon Valley Entrepreneur

Christoph Burkhardt

on stage: 14 June 5.30 pm

Christoph is a Silicon Valley entrepreneur, founder and expert in innovation and digital technologies.

In 2011, he started the think tank TinyBox with a focus on the impact of new technologies in San Francisco, CA. Partnering with Google and others, the now German based business is on a mission to make knowledge more accessible to business strategists and entrepreneurs.

In 2016, Christoph started the Burkhardt Group in San Francisco, a consulting firm specializing in emerging technologies and digital business models. Among his clients have been companies such as Pfizer, Allianz, Aldi and SAP. He has also mentored over 300 startups and coached several high-profile entrepreneurs.

In 2019 he became CEO of OneLife, a research heavy health tech startup on a mission to save lives and protect the planet by creating clean technologies that improve people’s health at home. After successfully launching their first product, the air purifier OneLife X globally, Christoph joined the supervisory board.

Currently, Christoph is working with several high profile executives as advisor and consultant helping them to future proof their business strategies and technology applications.

Christoph has been a thought after keynote speaker with Fortune 500 companies around the globe. He is a regular guest lecturer at leading universities such as LMU Munich, ETH Zurich, RWTH Aachen, University of St. Gallen and has recently taught business strategy for entrepreneurs at Stanford’s executive program.

Connect on LinkedIn

Vice President Area Management Home Markets, Global B2B Servicing, Lufthansa German Airlines

Johannes Walter

On Stage:
14 June, 9:30 am | Keynote

Johannes Walter, previously Senior Director Channel Partners, has been appointed Vice President Area Management Home Markets, Global B2B Servicing. Effective 1 October 2023, Johannes Walter will lead Lufthansa Group airlines' sales organization in the home markets. He succeeds Jürgen Siebenrock, who has been in a new role within the Lufthansa Group since the middle of the year. Johannes Walter began his career in the airline business in 2002 at Austrian Airlines in Germany, followed by commercial leadership roles in Italy, France, Sweden and Austria. In 2016, he was appointed Head of Distribution Global Market Management, being responsible for the global launch of new, interactive distribution solutions and offer placement in the B2B channels. In this role he was driving the Lufthansa Group NDC Partner Program rollout. Since February 2021, he has also taken on the responsibility for growing the Lufthansa Group airlines’ digital air retailing partnerships.

“Johannes Walter brings a passion for driving the business with innovation being a hallmark of his work,” said Frank Naeve, Senior Vice President Global Markets & Stations, Lufthansa Group. “His profound knowledge, professional approach and customer orientation are highly appreciated by all stakeholders. For this reason, I am certain that Johannes Walter, together with his team, will continue to add significant value for our customers and partners in our home markets.”

“The Lufthansa Group airlines connect our Home Markets with the world, and together with our sales partners and corporate customers we want to create the best possible travel experience for our guests", states Johannes Walter, Vice President Area Management Home Markets, Global B2B Servicing about his new role. „Thus, I am really looking forward to a close co-operation, an open dialogue and idea exchange, to shape the future of travel together.”

Connect on LInkedIn

Hahn Air

Regional Vice President Agency Distribution, Hahn Air

Anna Neumeister

on stage: 14 June, 11:30 am | Distribution Panel

Anna is a Regional VP Agency Distribution at Hahn Air, a German airline that has been specialising in indirect distribution services and ticketing solutions. Anna’s top priority is building strong and trustful business relationships and consulting travel agencies on how they can optimise their business results with the more than 350 Hahn Air partner airlines. Anna’s passion is the global airline industry, and she has over 25 years of experience working for airlines such as Swiss, Delta, Emirates and Southwest in various leisure and corporate sales positions. A Swiss-Swedish native, she worked and lived in various countries in Europe, Asia and the USA and considers herself a global citizen. The multi-cultural environment at Hahn Air is a perfect fit for Anna who has extensive experience in TMC, corporate and government sales and who is fluent in German, Swedish, English and French.

Connect on LinkedIn

Regional Director Central (DACH), Managing Director Sabre Deutschland Marketing GmbH

Tom Fecke

A seasoned professional in the travel industry, Fecke began his career as a travel agent. He holds a degree as master of business administration and had various sales & marketing management roles with Galileo (Travelport) and Avis Rent-a-Car in the leisure and corporate segment . From 2006 until 2014 he worked for RCL Cruises as a regional Managing Director. Tom also served as Managing Director of the Travel Industry Club, the leading business club in Germany and Austria back in 2015/16. In his last role Fecke engaged as Secretary General Europe of the Cruise Lines International Association (CLIA) in Brussels and represented the European Cruise Industry in terms of reputational management, regulatory and sustainability at a EU level with EU member states and various stakeholders of the industry. In March 2018 Tom started as Director Strategic Sales of Sabre Travel Network and responsible for business development and new large scale business opportunities within the EMEA region. Since July 2020 Tom Fecke was promoted to Regional Director Central Europe and Managing Director Sabre Deutschland Marketing GmbH.

Connect on LinkedIn

Senior Manager New Business Development at TRAVELPORT

Thomas Schillinger

on stage: 14 June, 11:30 am | Distribution Panel

Connect on LinkedIn

Travel Trade Marketing Manager B2B, Visit Panama

Sussaned Duran Arrocha

on stage: 13 June, 11:30 am | Destination and ESG Panel

Sussaned serves as the Travel Trade Manager at Visit Panama, the Destination Marketing Organization (DMO) for the country. With over 16 years of extensive experience in the tourism sector, she brings a wealth of knowledge to her role. Prior to Visit Panama, Sussaned held the position of Commercial Manager at Air Canada for 8 years. Additionally, she has worked with the Lufthansa Group, focusing on B2B Marketing for Panama, Central America, and the Caribbean. Her career also includes roles in travel agencies, where she served as a Corporate Account Manager.

In 2023, Sussaned transitioned to Visit Panama with a mission to bolster the country's presence in key leisure markets aiming to showcase Panama's diverse offerings and attractions to travelers worldwide.

Connect in LinkedIn

Head of DMC department, LCC DMC Clube Viajar, Portugal

Mariana Morais

on stage: 13 June, 11:30 am | Destination and ESG Panel

As an event organizer specializing in Portugal for 10 years now, Mariana takes immense pride in crafting unforgettable experiences that highlight the rich cultural heritage, breathtaking landscapes, and world-class facilities our country has to offer. Her enthusiasm for excellence and deep affection for Portugal motivates her to innovate and exceed expectations in this dynamic field of business tourism. As per her professional trajectory, transitioning from the Porto Convention Bureau to other local DMC/Travel Agency, and subsequently establishing her own DMC, her journey has consistently and always intersected with the MICE sector.

Connect on Linkedin

Conference Moderator

John Melchior

on stage: 13 and 14 June |

Conference Moderation & All Panels

John is an experienced Travel industry executive with broad practical knowledge of most aspects of the industry. After a distinguished career went into the consultancy arena 12 years ago and have advised over 20 companies from all spectres of the industry, and become a sought-after commentator and moderator at conferences worldwide. We are happy to have him as such for our event as well, as he has been on plenty of virtual and in-person LCC stages before. With John, a professional, entertaining and well-experienced moderation of all panels and conference parts is guaranteed.

Connect on LinkedIn

Educational Sessions

Discover our educational sessions on all three days

Business Travel Meeting | 12 June 9:30 am to 4:30 pm

Audience: LCC Business Travel agencies only
The full day Business Travel meeting will cover the following topics

The latest developments in Business Travel
Tech keynote speech
AI and best use cases in Business Travel
The comprehensive pricing matrix
Leveraging your USP’s in a corporate bid setting

Moderation: Savio Monsorate, Senior Bsuiness Development Manager, LCC Headquarters

DMC Seller Workshop: Driving Sales | 12 June, 3 -4 pm

Learn the art of presenting yourself confidently at the Annual Summit and discover the most effective way to engage travel agents, ensuring you understand their needs and demands thoroughly. Additionally, learn valuable techniques for preparing and conducting product presentations.

Moderation: Antje Lehman, DMC Product Manager, LCC Headquarters

Responsible Travel as USP: DMC's Competitive Edge | 13 June, 12:40 pm

As travelers increasingly prioritize sustainability in their trip planning, our LCC DMC partners emerge as invaluable experts in their respective destinations. They
have an extensive understanding of their sustainable suppliers and know best how to incorporate these in specific travel offers. Find out how you can make the most of their expertise in sustainable travel to meet your customers' interests.

Navigating tomorrow's corporate landscape – find your best approach for the NXT generation traveller | 14 June 15:40

Moderation: Savio Monsorate

The power of data mining – Unlocking the full potential of your data to drive profitability | 14 JUne 15:50

Moderation: Savio Monsorate

NDC: The future of air retailing and what this means for you | 14 June 15:40

Moderation: TBA

The opportunities around AI to make your business future-proof | 14 June 15:40

Moderation: TBA