Latest news with #KateThomas
Travel Weekly
a day ago
- Business
- Travel Weekly
Trade Secrets Tech Summit: Travel Pro Theory
Subscribe now using your favorite service: This season, Trade Secrets is hosting the Trade Secrets Tech Summit. Every Monday, co-hosts Emma Weissmann and Jamie Biesiada will feature a different travel technology company that works with travel advisors. A representative from the featured company will begin with a 5-minute elevator pitch to tell advisors about their product, followed by a 15-minute Q-and-A with the hosts. This week's featured company is Travel Pro Theory, represented by founder Kate Thomas. Trade Secrets is using Host Agency Reviews' list of technology providers as a basis for this season. If a technology company doesn't have a profile, advisors are encouraged to send a link to the hosts to be added to the list. This episode was sponsored by Globus family of brands. Further resources Travel Pro Theory on the web and Instagram (feel free to DM) Kate Thomas' previous appearance on Trade Secrets talking about advisor-supplier relationships From TravelAge West: 10 ChatGPT prompts every travel advisor should use Get in touch! Email us: tradesecrets@ Theme song Sock Hop by Kevin MacLeod License See for privacy information.
South Wales Argus
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- South Wales Argus
Newport's first Pirates in the Port sea shanty festival
The event, named Pirates in the Port, was headlined by Newport's very own Bois Y Bryn. The city centre was alive with the sounds of sea shanty groups from Wales and across the UK. The festival was originally held in Barry, but this year saw the event move to Newport, much to the disappointment of Barry residents. A total of 39 bands from places as far afield as Yorkshire and Cornwall came together to perform across 11 venues in Newport city centre. The venues included The Corn Exchange, The Mercure Hotel, Potters Pub, and Fire and Ice nightclub and bar. Other venues were McCanns Rock and Ale Bar, Slipping Jimmy's, the upstairs of Newport Market, the Riverfront Theatre, The Lamb, and the Pen and Wig. One of the organisers, Malcolm Gough, expressed his belief that the festival would help Wales's sea shanty culture thrive. The festival was launched by Newport's newly elected Mayor, Kate Thomas, at 11am on Saturday from the Corn Exchange. She spoke of the city's "delight" at hosting an event showcasing such "amazing talent". The organisers made sure that the event was free for all to attend, but they welcomed small donations or purchases of merchandise and programmes. All funds raised will be split between three charities close to the heart of Bois Y Bryn: the RNLI, SARA, and Wales Air Ambulance. The festival lasted throughout the weekend, with performances from noon until 8pm in some venues. It concluded with a special 'Big Sing' event at 4.30pm on Sunday in the Corn Exchange. The organisers hope that Newport will continue to be the host of this cultural event in the future. The "Pirates in the Port" event featured a variety of Welsh and UK sea shanty groups performing at venues across the city centre. Originally held in Barry, the festival's relocation to Newport caused disappointment amongst Barry residents. Venues including The Corn Exchange, The Mercure Hotel, Potters Pub, Fire and Ice nightclub, McCanns Rock and Ale Bar, Slipping Jimmy's, Newport Market, The Riverfront Theatre, The Lamb, and The Pen and Wig hosted the festival. Malcolm Gough, one of the organisers, expressed belief in the thriving future of Wales's sea shanty culture. A total of 39 bands from across the UK, from as far as Yorkshire and Cornwall, performed at the event. The festival was launched on Saturday, May 31 by the newly elected mayor, Kate Thomas, who spoke of the city's "delight" at hosting an event of such "amazing talent." Mr Gough said: "We are all really proud of the event and want to thank all of the bands that gave up their time to perform and help raise funds for the RNLI, SARA and Wales Air Ambulance. "We have had some really positive feedback from bands, businesses and attendees."
South Wales Argus
15-05-2025
- General
- South Wales Argus
Councillor Kate Thomas is appointed mayor of Newport
Councillor Kate Thomas was appointed as the 393rd mayor of the city in a ceremony at the Civic Centre. Councillor Thomas represents the Stow Hill ward. Originally from Birmingham, Councillor Thomas has always been proud of her father's Welsh roots and has maintained close ties with his family near the Ceredigion coast. She chose to settle in Wales and studied at the college campus in Allt-yr-yn. In 2000, she moved to Stow Hill with her two children and worked for various organisations, including a housing association's community services team, the National Autistic Society, and Newport Mind, before joining Gavo in 2005. Councillor Thomas has been a dedicated volunteer for 20 years with Llais, an independent organisation that provides a voice and advocacy for NHS and social care users. She successfully ran for council in 2012, the last time a woman held the post of mayor, making her year particularly significant. Councillor Kate Thomas has been named as the first female mayor of Newport since 2012 (Image: Newport City Council) Councillor Thomas said: "Newport has fantastic people, an incredible history and with features like the river, the Victorian parks and the wetlands, it is an amazing place to live, work and get out and about in. "We have so much to be proud of; Newport is growing and its people are great!" She is deeply honoured to represent the people of Newport as mayor and looks forward to meeting many of the groups supporting people across the city, as well as old and new friends, during the coming year. Councillor Stephen Marshall was chosen as deputy mayor, with his mother Sylvia serving as deputy mayoress. The mayor's chosen charities, BookTrust and Little People UK, both play significant roles in their respective fields. BookTrust has been around for more than a century and is the UK's largest children's reading charity. It helps millions of children read each year, especially those from low-income families or vulnerable backgrounds. BookTrust Cymru works in partnership with Newport's libraries, health visitors, early years settings, and schools to deliver bilingual programmes that encourage and support family reading for young children. Little People UK is a registered charity that provides support and information to people of short stature and their families. Danielle Webb, from Newport, has been a major force in raising awareness of the issues faced by the thousands of people affected in the UK. The charity is dedicated to improving the quality of life for people with dwarfism, offering friendship, support, and advice to all little people in the UK. Retiring mayor Councillor Ray Mogford and mayoress Sallie Mogford were thanked for their year of service.
South Wales Argus
14-05-2025
- Politics
- South Wales Argus
‘Fierce' and ‘forthright' councillor becomes city's new mayor
Cllr Kate Thomas took up the role as Newport's 393rd mayor at a ceremony on Tuesday May 13, and amended the words of her official oath, declaring she would serve 'the people of Newport' as well as King Charles III. After moving to the city in 2000, Cllr Thomas was elected to represent the Stow Hill ward in 2012 – which was also the last time Newport had a female mayor. 'Newport has fantastic people, an incredible history and with features like the river, the Victorian parks and the wetlands, it is an amazing place to live, work and get out and about in,' said Cllr Thomas. 'We have so much to be proud of – Newport is growing and its people are great.' Cllr Thomas' mayoral charities for the coming year are Book Trust Cymru and Little People UK. Announcing the nomination, council leader Cllr Dimitri Batrouni said Cllr Thomas is 'fierce, forthright and will hold her ground – that sounds like Newport to me'. Opposition group leader Cllr Matthew Evans congratulated Cllr Thomas on having the 'great honour to serve the people of Newport'. He said Cllr Thomas had 'always made an active contribution to debates', and her 'passion is there for all to see'. Outgoing mayor Cllr Ray Mogford reflected on the 'incredible honour' of representing Newport that he and wife Sallie felt during the past year, and meeting 'so many people doing fantastic work' across the city. Some £17,000 has been raised for Cllr Mogford's mayoral charities, Sparkle and the Severn Area Rescue Association (SARA). Cllr Stephen Marshall was chosen as the deputy mayor, succeeding Cllr Chris Reeks.
