Academy for Travel (AFT), an online learning platform providing year-round education for corporate travel professionals, officially launched on October 29, 2026, preceding the FACTS 2026 conference on November 25–26 at ICC Sydney.
Founders Convert FACTS Conference Content into Continuous Learning
The platform was created by Peter Harbison, Derek Sadubin, and Jamie Harbison, all co-founders of FACTS Conference. AFT transforms knowledge shared at the annual two-day FACTS event into practitioner-led, self-paced courses accessible throughout the year. Industry experts and FACTS speakers author the curriculum, ensuring content continuity beyond the live event.
Mini-MBA Course Offers Comprehensive Corporate Travel Curriculum
AFT’s flagship offering is the Mini-MBA: Corporate Travel in Australia, featuring 10 modules and over 13 hours of
instruction. This course covers topics including travel management company (TMC) operations, procurement, airline revenue management, distribution technology, duty of care, sustainability, data analytics, and corporate travel trends through 2035. Instructors include co-founders Peter Harbison and Derek Sadubin, alongside Virginia Fitzpatrick, Managing Director of Partnership Travel Consulting and FACTS advisory board member.
Additional Courses and AI Assistance Available Across Regions
The platform also offers courses such as Scaling AI in Corporate Travel for TMCs and logistics for Formula 1 and international yacht races. Editions of the Mini-MBA tailored to New Zealand, the United Kingdom, and the United States are available, as well as a buyer-focused Mini-MBA designed for Australian
procurement teams. Learners receive support through Sofia, an AI tutoring assistant integrated into the platform.
FACTS 2026 Conference Details and Course Discounts for Delegates
FACTS 2026, held on November 25–26 at ICC Sydney, expects over 2,000 attendees, 150 exhibitors, and 200 speakers across eight stages, with all sessions free of sponsored content. Academy for Travel courses are available at a 50% discount to FACTS delegates until midnight AEDT on November 26, 2026. The Mini-MBA course is priced at A$497.50 during this promotion, reduced from the regular A$995 fee.
Co-founder Derek Sadubin described the launch as providing both new and experienced professionals with quality short-course training accessible at their own
pace. Peter Harbison noted the Academy was born from FACTS itself to meet the industry’s demand for comprehensive, up-to-date knowledge as corporate travel rapidly evolves due to technological innovation and changing business needs.
Virginia Fitzpatrick emphasized that Academy for Travel fills a gap in structured professional development within corporate travel, supporting workforce readiness and ongoing education. An industry university travel program manager highlighted the challenge of keeping current with fast changes and praised the digital platform for extending opportunities beyond the two-day conference.
The platform aims to deliver continuing education and expertise to corporate travel professionals throughout the year, addressing
the rapid pace of industry transformation driven by agentic AI, procurement shifts, and traveler expectations.
