Article from BTNews 16 FEBRUARY 2015
ON TOUR: The Business Travel Show
A PREVIEW
The Business Travel Show returns to Olympia in 2015 for its 21st outing. The occasion, Europe’s largest specialised exhibition and conference for buyers and managers of business travel, will take place on 25-26 February 2015 at Olympia Grand. The long-established and reputable event provides business travel buyers and managers with access to suppliers, knowledge and contacts to help them develop successful travel programmes.
MEET SUPPLIERS
Buyers can meet 250 business travel suppliers at the Business Travel Show in February including airlines, accommodation providers, ground transportation, technology providers and TMCs. Exhibitors – large and small – include easyJet, Etihad Airways, Star Alliance, Gatwick Airport, Virgin Trains, Carlson Rezidor, Hilton, American Express Global Business Travel, Premier Inn and Capita.
ABSORB KNOWLEDGE
The Business Travel Show hosts Europe’s largest conference programme with sessions for everyone, from absolute beginners to the most experienced travel buyers. Independently produced and supported by 100 expert speakers, more than 60 topical sessions cover the biggest issues affecting travel management, including NDC, the integration of travel and meetings, social media policy, stakeholder engagement, data management and duty of care, which is a high priority for all buyers.
BUILD RELATIONSHIPS
The Business Travel Show provides buyers with a unique opportunity to meet 6,500 professionals from across Europe. From peer-to-peer and supplier networking sessions, to informal social events, buyers will build new relationships at the show and be given a chance to share knowledge and best practice.
THE WORLD’S LARGEST FULLY HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME:
The Business Travel Show runs a comprehensive hosted buyer programme for senior European buyers. In 2014, 6,459 corporate travel professionals attended the event, including hosted buyers from companies including Accenture, Albemarle Europe SPRL, Bank of America Merrill Lynch, BP Paribas, BP, Continental AG, Carestream Health, eBay, HSBC, Ikea, Jaguar Land Rover, L’Oreal, Norgine, Novabase, Sony Mobile and Tennant. 90% rated their overall experience as good or excellent and 83% rated the conference sessions the same.
In return for committing to a minimum of five pre-scheduled appointments per day with exhibitors of their choice, hosted buyers enjoy the following benefits:
- A three-day conference programme including the pre-show conference stream on Tuesday 24 February, which is exclusively for hosted buyers
- Invitation to the buyer-only masterclass sessions at the show
- A new personal online diary system, accessible via any 3G device, to help manage and maximise time at the show
- Up to two nights complimentary accommodation at a minimum 4-star hotel on a bed and breakfast basis including ground transfers to and from the event if required
- Complimentary travel to London including ground transfers to and from the event. (if required)
- Access to the exclusive hosted buyer lounge, including complimentary refreshments and a networking lunch
SHOW FEATURES:
International Hotel Village
The International Hotel Village returns for a second year and has doubled in size and features leading global and local hotel providers including IHG, Carlson Rezidor, Hilton, NH Hotels, Best Western and Melia Hotels International.
Airline Pavilion
The Business Travel Show Airline Pavilion hosts a comprehensive line up of global airlines: the perfect place for buyers to source new suppliers and refine their air travel policies.
Responsible Travel Management Zone
The Responsible Travel Management Zone showcases a comprehensive line up of duty of care-related products and services, together with presentations, case studies and resources that enable travel buyers to create a cost effective and creative ‘CSR’ element of their company’s travel and meeting programme.
GTMC Pavilion
Back for the second year, the GTMC Pavilion brings many of its members to the Business Travel Show, including travel management companies, car rental suppliers and travel and expense management suppliers.
ASAP Pavilion of Serviced Apartment Providers & international Serviced Apartment Pavilion
The ASAP Pavilion of Serviced Apartment Providers returns for 2015, has increased in size and is featured alongside the brand new International Serviced Apartment Pavilion. Together, they provide a great source for discovering alternative accommodation solutions through a wide range of serviced apartment providers.
Business Travel Technology Zone
TMCs, agents and corporate travel buyers can source all of their corporate travel technology needs in the Business Travel Technology Zone, which houses a full spectrum of technology suppliers demonstrating new products, services and solutions as well as cutting-edge, technology-focused conference content.
Cellars in the Sky Wine Tastings
There are four hour-long Cellars in the Sky wine tastings during the Business Travel Show hosted by the Cellars in the Sky Awards organiser Business Traveller.
ITM Village
The Institute of Travel & Meetings is where buyers can meet a wide range of ITM supplier members and find out more about the benefits of becoming an ITM member.
WINiT
The Business Travel Show will host the European launch of WINiT, a new non-profit organization supporting women working in the travel industry.
TWO SHOWS IN ONE:
A visitor pass to the Business Travel Show includes access to Travel Technology Europe. Co-located with the Business Travel Show in Olympia Grand, Travel Technology Europe is Europe’s only event dedicated to providing innovative and integral technology solutions to buyers in the travel industry.
For more information, to keep up to date with the latest news or for free registration, please visit www.businesstravelshow.com, Twitter: @btshowlondon #BTShow; Facebook: pages/Business-Travel-Show; LinkedIn: Business Travel Show group
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