Business Travel Consultant Bex Bowden represented ArrangeMY at this year’s Advantage Focus Champions Conference:
‘My colleague, Bruce Canty, and I were lucky enough to be invited to the Advantage Focus Champions Conference 2015 in FrankFurt. This was their 10 year anniversary event, held at the Lufthansa Training & Conference Center, Seeheim (just 20 minutes from Frankfurt Airport) and after being promised something special to mark the anniversary, I can honestly say I don’t think one participant who attended was disappointed.
The Purpose built training facility and hotel is impressive to say the least. Set in the forest, this modern building has everything you could ask for as a corporate traveller. The rooms are immaculate, the facilities are fantastic and the food and drink (especially the drink) went down far too easily!
We arrived in the afternoon and had a very relaxed evening socialising and networking with both old faces and new. It was fantastic to see so many suppliers and business travel agents in the same space. The opportunity to speak to so many individuals working in the same industry was incredibly beneficial.
The following day it was clear to see that many of the attendees (myself included) had far too much of a good time the night before! However, the evening was successful in breaking the ice between us all and friendships were quickly formed. Our first full day of the conference commenced with a welcome from the Advantage team and update from Lufthansa Group. After this we had a day full of meeting suppliers during our speed dating event and attending presentations informing us on all the updates from Advantage themselves and their partners. We were also inspired to see all the technological developments that were being made for us as Focus Champions. The systems that they have and are in the process of completing are revolutionary for our trade. It was very satisfying to see that our feedback and opinions from previous years had really been taken on board and it was encouraging to know how important our input is during events such as these.
After an engaging and valuable day of networking and seminars we all got ready for a night out that most of us won’t forget for a while. We were taken in our bus loads to the Schloss Auerbach Castle, where we enjoyed a medieval themed banquet and entertainment. Now fully acquainted with our fellow conventioneers and hosts we spent the evening laughing, cheering, dancing, eating and drinking. To round off the evening and celebrate the 10 year anniversary of the conference, 10 pairs of flight tickets were given away as prizes courtesy of Virgin and Delta Airlines. I believe I am speaking for everyone who attended that night in saying that a fantastic time was had by all and was certainly memorable.
On our last day of the event we all gathered to listen to two incredibly motivating and inspiring speeches from Matthew Quinn (Future Sales Factory) and Marc Priestley (Former McLaren Formula One Pit Crew member). Both speeches were extremely thought provoking and I believe the majority of us listening came away feeling empowered and driven to make a difference within our own companies. The event was rounded up and we were all sent on our way, back to the airport and in turn back to our respective companies.
I knew from previous years that this year’s Advantage Focus Champions Conference would not only be beneficial to both myself and my colleague but enjoyable. I am pleased to say that I came away from the event having had a excellent time. Having face-to-face contact with suppliers and having the opportunity to voice opinions and share ideas to shape the future of our industry is incredible. I can only thank Advantage for putting on such a fantastic event and hope I have the opportunity to attend again and again in the years to follow.’
