“I look forward to attending the first ITIC Virtual Conference. Not having been able to travel for the past 6 months, I look forward to reconnecting with others in the industry and comparing notes on our experiences over the past 6 months.”

Brad joined TuGo in 2003 as Executive Director, Business Development. He’s now Chief Customer Officer and responsible for all customer-facing operations. In addition to overseeing growth in the traditional sales segments, he manages the Customer Operations and Customer Service teams.

Brad brings more than 35 years of insurance experience to the team, 25 of which were spent with AON and Marsh & McLennan, where his role involved providing risk management and consulting services to corporate clients, with an emphasis on medical and health insurance program structure.

Most recently, he served as President of Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada’s (THiA) Executive Board, having previously served as Vice-President. He is still active on the Executive Board in his current role of Past President.

Brad attended Concordia University College of Alberta and the University of Alberta. He has a Canadian Accredited Insurance Broker designation.

“It has been quite the year and continues to remain quite interesting, the challenges for the travel industry and its future. Will we travel and again meet clients and colleagues in their offices, will we again gather at large conferences for education and networking, will companies survive the pandemic and thrive all questions surely to be addressed during this year’s ITIC Global albeit virtually? It will be great to reconnect with our clients, colleagues and friends over the conference period from the comforts of my home, mask free and socially distant for now with the hope of a viable vaccine, and effective treatments in the near future. The pandemic has touched everyone, everywhere and our thoughts are with those who lost friends, colleagues and loved ones. Stay safe!”

With more than 30 years of industry experience, David Ewing has established himself as a leading and trusted voice in the world of air medical and commercial medical escort industry.

David currently serves as Executive Vice President, Global Markets for Montreal based Skyalta/Parkview Airmedical formerly known as Skyservice Air Ambulance International. During his over 27 years with Skyalta, David has held a series of progressive leadership positions and currently plays a key role in marketing, branding and business strategies of the company.

A former Firefighter/MICP, and Sales Director of a competing air ambulance operator, David joined Skyservice Lifeguard in 1993 and served in various and progressive positions over the years within the company gaining experiences within Fixed Base Operations, Business Aviation and Charter Airline marketing.

David joined the Travel Health Insurance Association of Canada (THIA) as a conference committee member many years ago and now serves as its conference co-chairman and serves as an advisory board member of the ITIC –  International Travel & Health Insurance Conference committee.

“ITIC locations….Prague, Lisbon, Madrid, Vienna……my little village?? Here are the top 5 Reasons I’m Looking Forward to ITIC@Home
– No packing or unpacking
– No getting up early to stake out a seat in the lobby for meetings
– No worries about running out of business cards
– Yoga Pants
– Champagne is cheaper by the bottle than by the glass!”

I was educated in the UK and Canada which is where I developed a love of skiing and the outdoors.

Joining the insurance industry in 1985 I have held a number of senior management positions with large insurers developing considerable expertise in technical claims management, cost containment, counter-fraud solutions, debt recovery and catastrophe management.

Currently Global Head of Cost Containment at AXA Partners with focus on travel insurance and responsibilities for large loss management and cost containment.

“This virtual conference is an ideal platform to establish relationships with specialists related to the travel insurance sector. Insurance companies, claims management entities, cost containment, air ambulances and medical institutions all participate.”

For 35 years, I’ve been connected to the Travel Insurance industry working for international companies in many countries around the world. My experience has been in the Development (Sales, Marketing and Affiliation & Partnerships) and more recently in the Support area (Operation, Correspondent and providers) contributing to INNOVATION Projects and Pilots. I experienced a closer exposure to more and more digital customers, helping to improve the user experience, taking advantage of technological advances and interacting with other industries, new profiles and technologies that are currently operating in the market.

“ITIC Connected is going to bring the global travel and health insurance industry – and their suppliers – back together again.

Nothing beats a lively debate with industry professionals! And this is what ITIC is all about – it doesn’t matter that we aren’t all in Vienna – or Madrid – or anywhere else. What matters is bringing experts together to discuss, debate and innovate, coming up with solutions to move the industry forward again.

Plus a bit of lunchtime yoga and a cocktail making lesson – what more could you ask for?!”

Mandy Langfield has worked on ITIJ, ITIC and AirMed&Rescue for over a decade. Having written features for all the magazines, interviewed many an industry expert, and moderated at ITIC Global, she is well-versed in many aspects of the travel and health insurance sector, particularly air ambulance services.

“Really looking forward to connecting with my industry colleagues and friends at the first ITIC virtual conference, after what can only be described as a bizarre and difficult year. It will be great to hear how our colleagues around the world have adapted and survived the last 6 months.”

Having worked in the industry for nearly 30 years the last 17 as an independent consultant, I have worked on numerous types of projects and supported Insurers, medical assistance companies, claims handlers and suppliers to the industry. I am chairman of the Travel Insurance Claims Committee (TICC) and sit as a guest on the ABI Travel Committee. I act as an expert witness when called upon, especially in mediations and inquests. I feel into international disaster recovery by accident but have travelled the world at a moment’s notice since 1996, which is always an adventure and honour.

“One of the high points of every year is the ITIC Global conference – and this year is no different, even though in 2020 we’ll all be attending virtually!
It’ll be a totally new experience being part of an online global event like this, but I’m certain ITIC will make it as memorable as always – with insightful sessions, inspiring speakers, and great social events. I’m looking forward to connecting with everyone without the hassle of travelling – and hope you all stay safe and well until we can meet up again in person!”

Patrick Schomaker is Director of Sales & Marketing at European Air Ambulance (EAA), one of Europe’s leading aeromedical providers. He has been with Luxembourg-based EAA since it was created in 2006, and has 20 years’ experience in the aviation industry – having previously worked in commercial and contractual relations, pricing and revenue management in Europe and the US.

Specialised in Emergency Medicine and Tropical Medicine from Germany, Dr.Bettina Vadera joined AMREF Flying Doctors (AFD) in Nairobi, Kenya, where she worked for 21 years as a Flight Physician, Medical Director and later Chief Executive Officer.  Under her leadership, the organisation moved from a programme within the humanitarian Health Organisation Amref Health Africa (AHA) to a successful, widely respected air ambulance company that owns a fleet of dedicated air ambulance aircraft and provides high level regional and intercontinental aeromedical patient transport. AFD attained world recognition including international accreditation and became a crucial funding source for AHA to achieve its humanitarian mission of lasting health change in Africa.
Bettina moved to Berlin, Germany in July 2020 where she continues to support AFD as Chief Medical Advisor. She is also an auditor for EURAMI.