Loyalty & Awards 2023
09 - 11 October 2023
As a platform for loyalty experts, the Conference is focused on providing the best presentations and discussions in the industry. Our speakers talk about the trends as well as their unique experiences, sharing best practices and case studies to benefit their peers.
If you have a topic you'd like to share with the audience and would like to become a speaker at Loyalty & Awards 2023, please contact our chairman Ravindra Bhagwanani.
12:00
Registration

13:00
Welcome address from the chair

Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, Global Flight
13:05
Opening keynote: Loyalty in Latin America: The same, but different

- The three things you should know about Latin America
- Loyalty: A fine line between opportunities and risks
- How the fear of currency devaluations impacts interactions with loyalty programs
- The cultural importance of status and its operational implications
Cristian Ortiz, CEO LatamPass, LATAM
13:45 - 18:30 (max)
Social Activities

Choose one of three small group social activities. Discover rio from a different angle, while fostering and expanding your professional network in a relaxed atmosphere. Places for activities are limited and given out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Select your favourite activity when you complete your registration and enjoy!
- Activities to be confirmed by early May
You will find the full details here
Participants will be picked up and dropped off at the conference venue.
17:30
1-to-1 meetings

This is your opportunity to meet existing and potential partners/suppliers from all over the world to strengthen and start business relationships in a highly efficient manner.
Meetings can be pre-arranged through connecting with other delegates over the event website or the event app in the run-up to the event.
19:00 - 20:00
Networking Drinks Reception

08:50
Opening remarks from the Chair

Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, Global Flight
09:00
Opening keynote: TBA

Mehdi Hemici, Chief Loyalty & Ecommerce Officer, Accor
09:25
From loyalty to fintech

- From Smiles to PaGol: The idea behind
- In what is a fintech superior to a traditional bank?
- Coexistence with financially critical partners for Gol/Smiles
- Milestones achieved, challenges ahead
Ravel Lage, CEO, PaGol
09:50
Co-brands and loyalty program: Playing at all fronts

- Balancing between strong co-brands and an own loyalty program
- Where does the journey go strategically?
- Adjusting to evolving customer needs
- Playing different roles in different markets
10:15
Subscription plans vs. loyalty programs: Why we do both!

- Subscription programs as entry level to a loyalty strategy
- How Viva Aerobus pioneered the subscription model
- How Doter and subscription plans coexist and have both their strategic place
- Is there enough value gain with a loyalty program justifying the investments?
Pablo Sordo, Chief Strategy Officer, Viva Aerobus
10:40
Mid morning coffee & Networking

11:10
Panel discussion: Taking financial partnerships to new heights

- Evolutions in the payment landscape and what they mean to loyalty programs
- Understanding that cooperation between all players is key to success
- Sharing equally the benefits between all parties engaged, incl. members
- What to do if results fall short of expectations?
Moderator: Julien Rochard, VP Business Development & Customer Success, Merit Incentives
Panellists:
Rafael Littieri, Head of Latin America Co-brand Partnership Development, Visa
11:55
Supplier of the Year Award

- 8-minute pitch for each of three shortlisted suppliers
Moderator: Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, Global Flight
Judges:
Xavier Lucas, Principal Software Engineer, Alaska Airlineso
Kristi Gole, EVP Strategy, Global Hotel Alliance
Linus Benjamin Bauer, Founder & Managing Director, Bauer Aviation Advisory
12:30
Lunch & Networking

14:00
TBA

14:30
Deep Dive workshops

Participate in one of two parallel workshops of key vendors, talking about their latest solutions to common industry issues.
No pre-registration is required.
Workshop 1: TBA
TBA, Loyalty Partner Solutions
Workshop 2: TBA
TBA, IBS
15:30
Afternoon Tea & Networking

16:00
Personalisation: What can we learn from retail?

Roberto Chade, Co-Founder and CEO, Dotz
16:25
Panel discussion: Lessons learned from loyalty fraud in Brazil

- Understanding the latest trends in fraud
- How much grey market should be accepted?
- How can cooperation between partners to fight fraud be instrumentalized?
- To what degree can technology help?
Moderator: Marcue Puffer, Vice President Global Loyalty Strategy, IBS
Panellists:
Paulo Curro, Executive Director, ABEMF
17:05
Closing Remarks from the Chairman

17:15
1-to-1 meetings

This is your opportunity to meet existing and potential partners/suppliers from all over the world to strengthen and start business relationships in a highly efficient manner.
Meetings can be pre-arranged through connecting with other delegates over the event website or the event app in the run-up to the event.
19:00 - 23:00
Gala Dinner and Golden Loyalty Awards 2023

Master of Ceremony: TBA
Judges:
Manuj Jain, Head of Loyalty, Air India
Betriz Polo, Head of Loyalty, Iberia
Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, Global Flight
08:30
Coffee & Registration

09:00
Opening remarks from the Chair

David Andreadakis, Chief Innovation Officer, Kobie Marketing
09:10
TBA

09:35
Finding the right dose of sustainability for your loyalty program

- Accepting that travelling per se is not sustainable
- Is the freedom of travel still the main driver of our business?
- The role of partnerships in a sustainability strategy
- Qantas' experiences with its sustainability strategy
Sarah Udy, Executive Manager - Member & Program, Qantas Loyaltyy
10:00
Panel Golden Loyalty Awards winners

- Insights into case studies of Golden Loyalty Awards 2023 winners
- Benefits for shareholders and members
- Process of generating award-winning initiatives
Moderator: Ravindra Bhagwanani, Managing Director, Global Flight
Golden Loyalty Awards 2023 winners - IBA on site
10:40
Mid-morning coffee & Networking

11:10
Taking the baby back home

- Flashback on the FFP spin-offs: What worked, what didn't work
- Decision factors for AeroMexico to change course
- Creating a new dynamic at AeroMexico Rewards
- How has the role of partnerships evolved?
- Conclusion: Lessons learned & recommendations
Rodrigo Sandoval Piemonte, VP Loyalty, Banks, Travel Stores & AM Vacations, AeroMexico
11:35
Deep dive workshops

Participate in one of two parallel workshops of key vendors, talking about their latest solutions to common industry issues.
No pre-registration is required.
Workshop 1: TBA
Matthijs Kooijman, Commercial Director, Attached Language
Workshop 2: TBA
TBA, Kobie Marketing
12:35
Lunch & Networking

13:45
Panel discussion: The evolving landscape of partnerships

- Creating true win-win partnerships
- Moving away from cash cow dreams to enhancing value for members
- The role of technology
- What kind of new partnerships are on the horizon?
Moderator: Danielle Brown, Chief Marketing Officer, Plusgrade
Panellists:
André Sena, Chief Commercial Officer Americas, Accor
14:30
Case study SkyJoy: A blank sheet coalition approach

- Starting a coalition program in record time
- Gaining credibility towards partners thanks to an independent strategy
- Investing in sustainable relationships
- How much benefits VietJet Air?
- What's next?
Sereen Teoh, CEO, GalaxyJoy
14:55
Redefining partnership management: Growing together

- Understanding the potential win-wins in loyalty partnerships
- Empowering partners to push the boundaries
- Creating a business case to invest in partnerships
- Case study CarTrawler: How the use of AI helps to increase engagement
Heather Nolan, Head of Loyalty, CarTrawlery
15:20
Afternoon Tea & Networking

15:45
TBA

16:10
TBA

16:35
Closing Remarks from the Chairman & Announcement of venue Loyalty & Awards 2024

16:45
Close of Conference
