Hays Travel recently hosted its inaugural Connect Marketing Conference at its Sunderland head office, demonstrating growth in its marketing division.
- Lisa McAuley, group strategy director, spearheaded the event to highlight marketing achievements and encourage collaboration with partner organisations.
- With a 10% increase in team size over six months, Hays Travel plans to hire senior marketers focused on cruise and long-haul sectors.
- Keynote speakers stressed marketing’s strategic role, with updates on successful campaigns and partnerships with agencies like ITV and Emplifi.
- The conference fostered engagement among staff and partners, concluding with a social gathering that underscored the event’s collaborative spirit.
Hays Travel’s inaugural Connect Marketing Conference at its Sunderland headquarters highlighted the agency’s expanding marketing capabilities. Over recent months, the marketing team has grown substantially, marking a 10% increase in personnel. The conference, envisioned by Lisa McAuley, aimed to celebrate these achievements and enhance synergy with Hays Travel’s external partners.
Lisa McAuley, the group’s strategy director, disclosed plans to recruit senior marketers who will concentrate on the cruise and long-haul travel sectors. These areas are deemed strategic priorities, reflecting the company’s commitment to diversifying its marketing strategies.
During the conference, both Lisa McAuley and Dame Irene Hays articulated the pivotal role of marketing in achieving Hays Travel’s long-term objectives. The successful execution of the summer lates campaign was highlighted as a significant accomplishment, overcoming hurdles presented by recent major events such as the Euros and general elections.
The conference provided a platform for updates from key team members including Kathleen Molloy, head of Vista sales and product, and Catriona Parsons, head of the cruise team. Each contributed insights into the successes and challenges within their respective areas.
Collaboration with esteemed external partners was a focal point of the event. Representatives from agencies such as Platform 195 demonstrated their work in promoting destinations and optimising Hays Travel’s media approach. Notably, ITV’s involvement included leveraging popular programmes to enhance brand visibility.
Social media trends and shifts, particularly the increasing use of platforms like TikTok by younger demographics, were analysed by Emplifi, showcasing the dynamic nature of digital marketing.
The conference concluded with a noteworthy ’60 seconds to sell’ challenge, won by colleagues from Miles Morgan Travel. The success of the conference, as echoed by head of marketing David McNiven, lay in the diverse participation and the generation of innovative ideas for future initiatives.
Participants rounded off the day with a social event at a nearby tavern, cementing the networking and collaborative ethos encouraged throughout the conference.
The Connect Marketing Conference marks a significant step in Hays Travel’s strategic growth, underscoring marketing’s vital role in its continued success.
