After two successful years of hosting GTL Sessions on the island of Mykonos, for 2026, TPi opted to move the European chapter of the event to a new venue, the Higuerón Hotel Málaga. The event drew interest from the wider industry with over 40 new tour managers and provider delegates gathering for a networking experience like no other.
With service providers of all disciplines – from hoteliers to travel agents, insurance specialists and more – the diverse lineup also included a variety of tour managers at different stages of their careers, which provided open conversations about how different levels of touring can learn from each other.
Another jam-packed programme of Symposia Sessions returned this year, including Radical Optimism, which was chaired by Andy Franks, and featuring Peter Abbott, Sascha Heeney; Fuelling The Machine, featuring Lei-Lana Er, Dr Shannon McEwen and Olivia Morris; Breaking the Code of Touring starring Andy Corrigan, Ben Melman and Fiona Nolan; The Leadership Pyramid with Duchess Iredale and Mathias Cobbaut; and It’s Not Just All Rock ‘n’ Roll with Doug Wilson, Bryn Jones and Hollie Doherty.
New this year, following feedback from previous attendees, the Roadies Roundtable saw three groups led by Suzi Green, Ade Bullock and Steev A Toth, where attendees looked at what touring means for them in the past, present and future.
Symposia Sessions weren’t the only event on the calendar. Speed + Sync meetings also returned, with 20-minute slots between tour managers and service providers, which opened up dialogue between the two and led to conversations about how the industry can improve and how their services can further benefit touring parties.
Rock-it Cargo and Travel Places also contributed to the GTL Sessions Bursary Scheme, which saw Crystal Feng and Genny Turay able to attend with all travel expenses covered – leading them to make valuable connections across the tour service suppliers and other tour managers.
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TPi spoke to several of the tour managers and delegates to get their immediate impressions of the event. Here are their thoughts: “The GTL Sessions format is great. I found myself sitting with people that I wouldn’t usually and it is something that I wasn’t necessarily expecting when arriving to GTL. It has been absolutely great and if I knew any other tour managers were free, I would absolutely recommend it,” Andy Franks said.
“GTL is amazing, especially as a first experience of coming and feeling like I didn’t know anyone in the space. It’s a great way of connecting with people and knowing I will have these connections for life,” Connie Morton-Young, added. “I now know that when I am on a festival, I will hopefully see some familiar faces.”
Chris Tyler furthered: “There are a lot of friends and colleagues you end up working with over the year doing this, and you go through intense environments with them – there are lots of people you have only ever interacted with over email and I think it’s a safe space for people who go through this type of work to be able to talk to each other. Unless you do this job, it’s hard to explain what it’s like, so to be around so many people who understand it is special. It’s open, caring and collaborative.”
As GTL Sessions drew to a close, tour managers and service suppliers shared one final meal, marking not just the end of the programme, but the start of new conversations, partnerships, and ideas set in motion over the past few days.
For those unable to wait a year to join us, fear not. GTL Sessions: The Americas will take place for the first time from 22 to 25 September in Cancún, Mexico.
If you are interested in joining us then, please do not hesitate to get in touch or register your interest via the website below.
Words: Alicia Pollitt
Photos: Callan Halliwell
