The Business Travel Show and Travel Technology Show look set to be bigger and better than ever in 2009. Dinah Hatch reports on what visitors to the two shows can expect
Travel Technology Show
Attending the Travel Technology Show on February 10 and 11 at London’s Earl’s Court Two is more than just about keeping abreast of the latest innovations.
This year, with the economic crisis deepening, the focus is on helping travel companies deal with the pressure they are feeling, not just externally from clients but also on their internal structures, with cash flow management a major issue.
Those attending will be looking at how to improve their online presence, as well as broadening product offerings to target niche markets, understanding how technology can make sure they don’t lose sales when integrating systems and how it can help maximise revenue from existing customers.
A packed itinerary of events has been laid on including a seminar programme that involves five sessions per day. Topics include
- How to optimise your search budget via the right search engine strategy
- Case studies on what to do when IT projects go wrong
- Ideas sessions for inspiring customers via your website
- An introduction to the latest technology trends in travel
- A GDS update for 2009
There will also be sessions hosted by Travel Weekly’s sister publication Travolution on user website experience tips, reaching social networkers and bloggers, improving website performance and building a web-based travel business.
The sessions, which are held in the seminar theatre, cost £45 each, if booked before February 6, or £55 at the show.
Visitors can also make an appointment to attend the show’s free advice centre, which is open throughout the show. Run by travel technology firms Equinus and SourceIT-Travel.com, the centre will hand out impartial advice as to which exhibitors will be most useful to the visitor.
To make an appointment, email technologyshow@equinus.com. Advance booking also qualifies show visitors to a free one-day consultancy from Equinus.
One not to miss is the expert panel discussion on How Can Technology Be Utilised In A Downturn on Tuesday February 10 from 2pm to 4pm.
Hosted in the Presentation Theatre, the session is free and attendees can submit a question ahead of the day by emailing jill@ugomarketing.co.uk.
This year visitors to the Travel Technology Show will be able to take part in an Exhibitor’s Question Time for the first time.
The event, held on Tuesday and Wednesday from 11am to 12pm in the Presentation Theatre and hosted by technology provider Equinus, gives visitors a chance to put their own queries to exhibitors such as Dolphin Dynamics and Comtec.
Also new is a free session hosted by the Chartered Institute of Marketing Travel Industry Group called Making Social Networks Work For Your Brand, which is being held in the Presentation Theatre on both days between 12pm and 1pm.
Speakers will include Steve Dunne of digital marketing strategy consultancy Digital Drums and Gary Grieve of marketing training company Capela.
The Business Travel Show runs in tandem with the Travel Technology Show, taking place at Earl’s Court One from February 10 – 12. Read our Business Travel Show preview
