WTM aims at getting quality business
This year at World Travel Market, London, to be held from November 6-8, selected exhibitors will be offered priority access to the buyer speed networking sessions on the first two days of the event. A panel of experts will also discuss emerging trends in
Priority Access
WTM London 2017 will offer priority access to selected exhibitors for its buyer speed networking events. The move is designed to limit the number of exhibitors taking part, with 500 priority access tickets available. This in-turn will keep the quality of the mini-meeting high and worthwhile for both sides. Also, this year, there will be two buyer speed networking sessions before the exhibition floor opens on both the days of WTM London.
On Day 1, 200 buyers will be seated by the geography they purchase while on Day 2, the event will be sector specific with sectors including responsible tourism, gastronomy, and wedding and honeymoons covered by 100 buyers. Simon Press, Senior Director, WTM London, said, “The speed networking events at WTM London have proved hugelypopular with an ever-growing number of exhibitors looking to take part. Feedback from both exhibitors and buyers shows that the popularity of the event is having an impact on the quality of the business conversations taking place. So for this year, we are looking to limit the numbers to both buyer speed networking session by introducing a priority entry.”
Valid for both the days, the priority access will allow two named representatives from an exhibitor immediate access from 9 am to both sessions and will cost £250. Exhibitor personnel without priority access will be able to attend the speed networking events from 9.30 am onwards. Exhibitors will be able to purchase priority access via the exhibitor portal. Predicting Trends
A panel of senior executives will debate the impact of Brexit, currency movements and other geopolitical trends during a ‘World Travel Leaders’ session at WTM London. The session - ‘UK Markets – What can we expect in 2018’ will see eminent speakers like Caroline Bremner, Head of Travel, Euromonitor International; Richard Calvert, Chief Executive, Shearings Leisure Group; Nick Longman, Managing Director, TUI UK & Ireland; Peter Shanks, Development Director, Imagine Cruising; and Tristram Yarde-Leavett, Managing Director, Tourwise of London. Press elaborated, “Some of the effects of last year’s Brexit referendum are being felt already, so it will be fascinating to hear what these industry bosses think will happen in the future. There are many other challenges and opportunities to consider too – how the fall in sterling is affecting inbound and outbound tourism, and how security issues are affecting travel trends, for example.” WTM Leader’s Lunch
A leading Member of European Parliament (MEP) and former Prime Minister of Belgium, Guy Verhofstadt, is the keynote speaker at WTM Leaders’ Lunch. This is a prestigious and invitation-only networking event with 200 preeminent heads of commercial travel organisations which will be held on November 6. Verhofstadt is now leader of the Group of the Alliance of Liberals and Democrats for Europe (ALDE) in the European Parliament. Press commented, “Our Leaders’ Lunches have a reputation for bringing top speakers to the captains of the travel industry and Guy is first rate. He is a fantastic speaker and will offer inspiration and practical advice to our senior travel industry audience at a crucial time in the UK’s, Europe’s and indeed the world’s history.”