FCTG Independent will hold its first-ever global conference for Independent travel agency owners and mobile advisors, spanning Australia, New Zealand, the USA, Canada, and South Africa.
Running from 1-4 May 2024, the inaugural FCTG Independent conference will take place in Santiago, Chile.
Before that,FCTG Independent team will bring together its global network of independent advisors for the first Independent Icons trip in November 2023.
This event serves as a well-deserved reward for the top 10 agencies and agents from each participating country. And in a twist, the group has chartered a luxurious Uniworld ship for the occasion, taking participants on a scenic cruise from Budapest to Vienna.
FCTG Independent expects around 500 travel agents, staff and sponsors to attend the first global conference, which will include individual country days, a supplier expo and plenary sessions, among other events.
FCTG Independent and Luxury Divisions Global Managing Director Danielle Galloway said anticipation would be high for the historic event.
“We cannot wait to gather in Santiago for our very first global independent conference,” she said.
“As the only truly global independent network, we believe the opportunity to bring everyone together is too special to pass up.”
Galloway added that the group hoped to make this an annual event for its international community.
“There is so much that the travel entrepreneurs in our network can gain from connecting with their peers in other nations,” she remarked.
“Having one conference for all markets also opens new opportunities for our valued supplier partners.
“Our team are hard at work planning an exceptional program and we can’t wait to welcome everyone to Santiago in 2024.”
“Strong and united”
FCTG Independent Australia General Manager Nick Queale said the event marked an “incredible milestone” for the division.
“It’s a testament to the strength and unity of our global network,” he stated.
“We’re excited to see the exchange of ideas and knowledge that will take place at this conference, and we look forward to strengthening our bonds with our international partners and colleagues in beautiful Santiago.”
Meanwhile, GO TRVL’s Jay Dean expressed his excitement for the event.
“Super pumped to go to a new country and meet independent agents from around the globe, especially in an epic city like Santiago!”
Last month, FCTG Independent said it had welcomed 25 new independent travel businesses to its portfolio of partner agencies in an impressive start to the new financial year.
In August, FCTG Independent NZ staged its inaugural conference in Flight Centre Travel Group’s global headquarters of Brisbane, welcoming more than 180 home-based agents and suppliers for four days of networking and inspiration.
