CLOSED: ABTA Annual Conference 2026 | CORPORATE TRAVEL EVOLUTION: Navigating Complexity. Driving Change | Gauteng, South Africa | 16 October 2026
R1,000.00 R3,850.00Price range: R1,000.00 through R3,850.00
ABOUT THIS EVENT
* BOOKINGS ARE NOW CLOSED *
ABTA ANNUAL CONFERENCE 2026
CORPORATE TRAVEL EVOLUTION | Navigating Complexity. Driving Change.
JOIN US FOR ABTA’S ANNUAL CONFERENCE
Where Travel Buyers will enjoy relevant peer-lead content to help them make meaningful updates to their travel programmes.
Where TMC’S & Travel Suppliers will enjoy many opportunities to engage with current and potential clients, while ensuring their brand remains top of mind.
WHAT TO EXPECT
Evolution is rarely comfortable.
The corporate travel industry is being reshaped by new technologies, changing traveller expectations, shifting distribution models, growing sustainability pressures and an increasingly unpredictable global environment. At the same time, travel programmes are becoming more complex, while organisations continue to expect greater value, visibility and strategic impact.
The challenge is no longer simply keeping up with change. It is understanding which changes matter and which deserve your attention.
This ABTA Annual Conference will bring together leading Travel Buyers, TMCs and Industry partners to explore the trends, challenges and ideas shaping our industry. Through open discussion, shared experiences and practical insights, we will examine how travel professionals can navigate complexity, drive meaningful change and play a leading role in the continuing evolution of corporate travel.
DETAILS AT A GLANCE
Friday 16 October 2026
Emperor’s Palace
Peermont Hotels, Casinos & Resorts
Conference: 08.30 – 17.00
Networking: 17.30 – 19.30
CONFERENCE SPONSORS, PARTNERS & EXHIBITORS INCLUDE
SPEAKERS, PANELISTS & DISCUSSION LEADERS INCLUDEAaron Munetsi, CEO – Airlines Association of Southern Africa
Barry Painting, Managing Director – Travelit Brian Kitchin, Franchise Services : Divisional Chief Commercial Officer – fastjet Bryan Rufener, Head of Account Management Southern Africa, Agency Sales – Travelport Claude Vankeirsbilk, Chief Operating Officer – Tourvest Travel Services Dave Milne, Group Hospitality Executive – Peermont Hotels, Casinos and Resorts David Vorster, Regional Security Director – International SOS Dayle White, Financial Controller Treasury – Flight Centre Travel Group Debbie Van Heerden, Head of New Business Sales – TAG Travel Gemma King, Practice Lead: Global OTR – FCM Travel Guy Stehlik, Founder & CEO – BON Hotels Irene Ferreira, Chief Executive Officer – Reynolds Travel Jabulani Mabuza, Travel Manager – Rand Water Joey Kganyago, Travel Manager: Facilities Management – IDC Khulekani Njokweni, Travel Underwriting Manager – Bryte Lue Ebrahim, Business Development Executive – Woodford Car Hire Malesela Chuene, Head of Operations – Destini Travel Megan Wilson, Sales & Marketing Manager – fastjet Min Smith, Director: Corporate Solutions Business Development – Mastercard Monique Cox, Sales Manager: South Africa – Airlink Monique Diez, Managing Director – JR Technologies Africa Nicolette Pretorius, Travel & Expense Superintendent – Deloitte Pascalle Albrecht, Executive: Payment Solutions: Commercial Issuing, Card Acceptance & Fleet – Absa Phale Naake, Director Strategic Procurement & Government Travel Services – Treasury Rodger Phillips, Program Manager – Rennies BCD Travel Shermen Moodley, Head of Sales – Sani Car Rental Simon Tsiri, National Sales Head: Commercial Issuing – Absa Steve Egan, Travel Solutions Executive – SALGA Thinus la Grange, Regional Travel Manager Africa – BAT Tsholofelo Ramosime, Global Travel Manager: Programme & Ops Management – Genesis |
TOPICS, WORKING GROUPS & SESSIONS INCLUDE– Travel Programme Complexity: Are we making travel too complicated? – – Getting Management buy-in: Turning your ideas into reality – – Top Buyer-implemented travel management strategies of 2026 – – Risk Management: From war-time insurance to at-risk traveller safety – – Future-proofing Hotel Programmes: Is Hotel sourcing broken? – – The Forgotten category – Why Ground Transportation deserves a seat at the table – – The Missing Sustainability Link: Intentional Traveller Behaviour update – – Airline Demand: Tackling Africa’s under-serviced air routes – – Strategically using AI to reduce Travel Programme Complexity – – Beyond NDC: What does the future Airline marketplace look like? – – Top Trends Showcase and Round Table discussions – – Speed Networking (Always a favourite!) – |
WHAT DOES IT COST?
EXCITING NEWS!
Despite rising costs, ABTA Conference fees have not been raised from last year as we believe in supporting the industry and making Conference as accessible as possible.
In addition, 2 new registration categories have been added to support first-timers and smaller organisations.
| Travel Buyer (Corporate, Government & SME): | R 1 850.00 p/p Ex VAT ($115) |
| ABTA Enterprise Member: | R 2 550.00 p/p Ex VAT ($155) |
| ABTA TMC / Supplier Member: | R 2 850.00 p/p Ex VAT ($175) |
| Non-Member TMC / Supplier: | R 3 950.00 p/p Ex VAT ($235) |
| First-time Travel Buyers (1st ABTA attendance, 10 spaces only)*: | R 1 500.00 p/p Ex VAT ($95) Pop us an email to introduce yourself and to apply for this option |
| First-time TMC / Supplier (1st ABTA attendance, 10 spaces only)*: | R 2 000.00 p/p Ex VAT ($125) Pop us an email to introduce yourself and to apply for this option |
| Press Pass: | R 1 000.00 p/p Ex VAT ($60) |
| Sponsor Guests: | Contact nadine@abta.co.za for promo code |
| Complimentary Hosted Buyers: | Pop us an email to motivate your attendance as a hosted buyer |
* Only delegates who have not attended before and who are from companies where staff have not attended before will qualify for this category.
Please note: Rates exclude travel and accommodation. Please see more details on Accommodation, Transfers and Visa’s in early July.
NOT YET AN ABTA MEMBER?
Corporate, Government & SME Travel Bookers, Buyers & Managers: Sign up HERE under ABTA’s Complimentary Hosted Buyer Member Programme
TMC’s, Travel Agents, Airlines, Hotels and related travel suppliers: View different Member Fee Options and Benefits HERE
CONFERENCE AGENDA & SPEAKERS
| 07.45 – 08.45 | Delegate Arrivals: Registration & Networking |
| 08.45 – 09.00 | Opening & Welcome
Monique Swart, Founder – ABTA |
| 09.00 – 09.15 | Audience interaction |
| 09.15 – 10.00 | Getting Management Buy-In: Turning your ideas into reality
Gemma King, Practice Lead: Global OTR – FCM Travel |
| 10.00 – 10.30 | Top Buyer-implemented Corporate Travel strategies of 2026
Jabulani Mabuza, Travel Manager – Rand Water |
| 10.30 – 11.00 | Tea Break |
| 11.00 – 11.30 | The Forgotten Category: Why Ground Transportation deserves a seat at the table
Shermen Moodley CA (SA), Head of Sales – Sani Car Rental |
| 11.30 – 12.15 | Airline Demand: Tackling Africa’s under-served air routes
Aaron Munetsi, CEO – Airlines Association of Southern Africa |
| 12.15 – 13.15 | Speed Networking |
| 13.15 – 14.00 | Networking Lunch |
| 14.00 – 15.30 | Travel Trends & Products Showcase Round Tables: Reducing Travel Complexity
Tables include:
|
| 15.30 – 15.50 | The Missing Sustainability Link: Intentional Traveller Behaviour – ABTA Project update
Monique Swart, Founder – ABTA |
| 15.50 – 16.15 | Tea break |
| 16.15 – 16.45 | Risk Management: From war-time insurance clauses to at-risk traveller safety
David Vorster, Regional Security Director – International SOS |
| 16.45 – 17.15 | Travel in the Headlines: Industry Leaders weigh in
Barry Painting, Managing Director – Tourvest Travelit |
| 17.15 – 17.30 | Conference Closes |
| 17.30 – 19.00 | Networking Cocktail Function & Prize Draw |
ACCOMMODATION, TRANSFERS & VISA'S
ACCOMMODATION
For delegates wishing to stay at Emperor’s Palace on 15 and/or 16 October, Peermont is offering ABTA delegates a 29% discount off standard rates as follows:
Peermont Metcourt at Emperors Palace: R 1 895.00 BB p/p/p/n
Peermont Mondior Hotel at Emperors Palace: R 3 080.00 BB p/p/p/n
Peermont D’oreale Grand Hotel at Emperors Palace: R 4 225.00 BB p/p/p/n
CLICK HERE to select your property of choice from the 3 highlighted and select dates. Your booking will fall under the pre-applied ABTA rate code.
Accommodation can be paid via Credit Card on this link.
PLEASE NOTE:
Should you require a pro-forma invoice to pay via company EFT, book the room and forward the booking reference to the relevant property below to receive an invoice. Final invoices will be given on check out and rooms need to be pre-paid before check in.
3 star, Metcourt Hotel: Tel – 011 928 1656 / 1663.
Email: pmfom@emperorspalace.com
4 star, Mondior Hotel: Tel – 011 928 1881 / 1884.
Email: Reception_Emperors@pger.co.za
5 star, D’oreale Hotel: Tel – 011 928 1453.
Email: dgfom@emperorspalace.com
AIRPORT TRANSFERS
Peermont Emperor’s Palace provides complimentary shuttles to and from OR Tambo Airport, running every 30 minutes between 07.00 and 23.00 daily.
Meet the black and gold Emperor’s Palace bus at the bus terminal at the airport, behind the Intercontinental Hotel.
For bookings or queries, contact Qalabotjha Transport at qtransport@emperorspalace.com or call +27 11 928 1762.
VISA LETTERS
Should you require a letter of invitation from ABTA in order to apply for a Visa to attend Conference, please send an email, with a scanned copy of your passport biometric page to monique@abta.co.za.
Please note:
Visa letters will only be provided for Conference delegates who have booked and pre-paid for their Conference attendance, and who are current ABTA Members.
HOW TO BOOK YOUR SEAT
- At the top left of this page, select your currency
- At the top of this page, select your Registration Category in the yellow block. This will update the price above the ‘Next step’ block. Please ensure you select the correct category.
- Type the number of seats you want in this category next to ‘Next Step’.
- Click ‘Next step’ which will take you to your basket. If you want to book additional seats, repeat the process and each item will be added to your basket.
- Click ‘Proceed to Checkout’ on the right. If you have a Promo code, enter the code and then click ‘Apply promo code’ first.
- Complete the Billing/Checkout details and Attendee details. If booking multiple seats, each Attendee’s details must be completed.
- Select your preferred payment option. For credit cards, you will be re-directed to the Payfast gateway. For Bank Transer / EFT, you will have the option to print an automatically generated invoice from the site.
- Click ‘Place order’ on the right
- An automated email confirming your booking and providing an invoice will be emailed to you (please check spam)
Should you have any trouble during this process, feel free to email carol-ann@abta.co.za
Event Details
Date: 16 October 2026
Start time: 08:30 SAST
End time: 19:30 SAST
Directions: Emperor's Palace - Peermont Hotels, Casinos & Resorts