What made you decide to attend brightonSEO this time?

brightonSEO has always been on my radar as the go-to event for search professionals, but until now, the timing never worked out. In my new role at Hays Travel, I was encouraged to enter the ballot, and I was fortunate enough to win and even luckier to attend, learn, and connect with incredible people.

Was there a talk, speaker, or moment that stood out?

The standout session for me was the keynote. Michael King’s vision of how search will evolve was eye-opening - imagine walking down the street and your AI tells you the product you’ve been browsing is right there. In our industry, that could mean your dream cruise is just a few steps away. I also really enjoyed the Travel Roundtable and the Automation Party.

Have you taken anything from brightonSEO back into your work yet?

I’ve already shared ideas from several speakers with our senior leadership team, particularly around AI, social, and search strategies. Attending brightonSEO has reinforced our commitment and re-energized our momentum to own the cruise narrative. A lot of this work is being invested into our new website launching in Q2 2026.

What would you say to someone thinking about attending for the first time?

If you’re thinking about attending brightonSEO, don’t wait 15 years like I did, go as soon as you can! The insights, and even the reinforcement of your own ideas, are invaluable. The community is fantastic too. Make the most of fringe events like the AI Automation Party and the 5K run, meeting people who share your challenges will spark new energy and inspiration.