Travel Places hosts Impact & Innovation Client Advisory Event

On Monday, 8 September 2025, we welcomed travel and procurement managers from across the sports and media sectors to the 24th floor of the stunning art’otel London Hoxton, powered by Radisson Hotels for a client advisory event.

With panoramic views of the city skyline as our backdrop, the day focused on how travel programmes can be a catalyst for meaningful change, for people, planet, and business.

This year’s theme, Impact & Innovation, brought together industry experts to share their sustainable insights and showcase the future of responsible travel to our clients.

Topics spanned from human rights in business travel, sustainable aviation fuel (SAF), net-zero hotels, and sustainable reporting.

Speakers:

Alexandra Smith & Polly Milne, FuturePlus

Alex and Polly opened our morning sessions with a dynamic and insightful presentation on Impact – exploring what it means, why it matters, and how businesses can better understand both their positive and negative effects.

They also provided a valuable update on the evolving sustainability legislation and made a compelling case for integrating sustainability into core business strategy.

Charlotte Brierley, Sky

Charlotte offered a powerful reminder that progress in ethical travel isn’t about achieving perfection; it’s about making conscious, consistent efforts to uphold human rights.

She highlighted the importance of due diligence when working with suppliers at sports events, from catering teams to coach drivers, emphasising that businesses have a responsibility to protect people throughout their travel supply chains.

Rachel Barton, British Airways

Rachel spotlighted BA Better World, British Airways’ sustainability strategy built around people, planet, and responsible business, explaining how BA is tackling net zero emissions across the airline, from reducing waste with onboard bamboo cutlery to sustainable crew uniforms.

Rachel shared more on British Airways’ Corporate CO2llaborate Community, highlighting how BA is bringing together a network of SAF customers united by shared sustainability goals and vision.

With IAG leading the way as the first European airline group to commit to 10% SAF by 2030, BA is setting a powerful example for the aviation industry.

Rachel said, “It was a pleasure to share information about both our Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) Scope 3 programme and BA Better World sustainability strategy with Travel Places clients at the event and highlight the opportunities to work together to reduce our collective impact on the environment.”

Akanksha Singh, Radisson Hotel Group

Akanksha introduced Radisson Hotel Group’s bold sustainability initiative, the ‘Think’ campaign: think people, think community, think planet.

She shared RHG’s ambitious journey toward a zero-carbon future, including its pledge to reach Net Zero by 2050. A major milestone was celebrated in May 2025, with the launch of Radisson Hotel Manchester City Centre, their first verified Net Zero property, showcasing the future of sustainable hospitality.

“It was such a pleasure to team up with Travel Places for this event. It gave us a brilliant opportunity to connect with their sports and media clients, share the progress Radisson Hotel Group is making on sustainability, and hear directly from business travellers.

Events and conversations like these are so valuable – they help us collaborate, learn, and understand how we can better support more responsible travel. We’re really grateful to have been able to be a part of it.”

Melanie Harrison, Key Account Manager UK&I – Entertainment & Sports.

Each speaker brought fresh perspectives and actionable strategies, helping our clients navigate the legislative, ethical, and environmental complexities of business travel.

Afternoon Roundtables

In the afternoon, attendees rolled up their sleeves for a hands-on technology roundtable led by Travel Places. Clients shared their pain points, explored our latest innovations, and helped shape the future of team travel technology through a collaborative feedback session.

Our partners

Thank you to the Radisson Hotel Group for hosting us at the fantastic art’otel Hoxton, and to British Airways for supporting this event. A heartfelt thank you to all our speakers for sharing their time and expertise too.

If you are interested in supporting any of our future events – as a venue host or speaker – please contact Lucy Brooks at lucyb@travelplaces.co.uk.