Over 80 leading travel industry leaders will come together at Arabian Travel Market (ATM) 2015, as organiser, Reed Travel Exhibitions, hosts its first ever Captains of Industry lunch.

The invitation-only event, which is sponsored by Al Rayyan Hospitality, will take place on Wednesday 6th May, 2015. It will feature a keynote presentation by Geoff Cousins, former Global Director for Jaguar & Landrover, and now Managing Director, Geoff Cousins Associates Limited.

During his 28-year tenure at Jaguar, his role included development of the company’s global strategy, where he was responsible for a business with a turnover of £550 million and £55 million marketing spend.

He also spearheaded Jaguar’s global sport, lifestyle and business networks strategy, which included a number of high profile sponsorship deals and the establishment of the Jaguar Academy of Sport, a facility for the nurturing and support of future elite athletes.

A well-respected international consultant and business strategist with experience in the automotive field and solid connections with the global sporting and commercial communities, Cousins will share his own experiences using various brand examples, including Jaguar, to illustrate how effective and well-planned sponsorship can help significantly improve brand reputation.

“As a brand marketing and customer service leader in the highly competitive automotive sector, Geoff has an in-depth understanding of the complexities, challenges and opportunities that organisations face when looking to both cement market presence and grow market share. His thought-provoking presentation will definitely resonate with our high profile invited audience,” said Nadege Noblet-Segers, Exhibition Manager, Arabian Travel Market.

Cousins’ strong financial and marketing-related background, and successful commercial track record as CFO for four US-based automotive brands, as well as extensive global experience, has seen him develop an impressive client portfolio that includes Maserati, Futura Design and Clark Abel Ltd.

“As well as our exciting keynote speaker, the lunch presents a unique, closed - door opportunity for the very top echelon of the commercial travel industry to network with fellow senior industry professionals in an exclusive, relaxed atmosphere,” said Noblet-Segers.

Held under the patronage of His Highness Sheikh Mohammed Bin Rashid Al Maktoum, Vice President and Prime Minister of the UAE, Ruler of Dubai, the show has grown to become the largest showcase of its kind in the region and one of the biggest in the world.

Now in its 22nd year, the 2015 edition, which takes place at the Dubai International Convention & Exhibition Centre from 4-7 May 2015, will welcome over 400 main stand holders and 2,700 exhibitors. Last year ATM saw total attendance increase by 12% with 33,000 participants from over 131 countries, and business deals signed worth more than US$ 2.1 billion over the four days.