THE BUSINESS TRAVEL SHOW has created an advisory board made up of travel buyers to improve the content of the event’s conference sessions and research projects.
Seven members from across the UK and Europe have been appointed to the board and they will be involved in helping to shape the content at the next show in February. Event director David Chapple said: “The board will be our eyes and ears in the industry and at the show. They will attend and experience the event as hosted buyers, providing us with valuable first-hand feedback that will be used to refine our offering to the buying community year-on-year, ensuring we continue to provide them with the ultimate learning, networking and sourcing opportunities.” The four UK members of the board are Alison Churchill (Agriculture
and Horticulture Development Board), Christian Martin (Commonwealth Secretariat), Simon Andrews (BG Group) and Jef Robinson (Citrix Systems). There are also two members from Germany and one from the Netherlands. Alison Churchill said: “This is one of the biggest shows for the business
travel community and provides a huge insight into the marketplace for new and experienced travel buyers and travel managers alike. I’m looking forward to helping shape the content of the 2013 show and making this one of the best yet.” The Business Travel Show takes place at London’s Earls Court on February 5-6, 2013.
■ PRIVATE JET BROKER Air Charter Service (ACS) has opened an office in Beijing, its second office in Asia this year, following the launch of ACS India in February. “Having people in China who know the local industry and can speak local languages is a must,” said ACS chairman, Chris Leach. “So much of our expertise is based on the ability to communicate quickly and accurately with operators and clients – this can only be achieved with an official presence.”
14 1 pussyfooting around
Mayor Boris Johnson talking to the Evening Standard about London’
s airport capacity
The government needs to stop
■ GROUND TRANSPORT SPECIALIST Tristar Worldwide Chauffeur Services has introduced 12- and 16-seater Mercedes mini-coaches. The vehicles feature reclining leather seats, tinted windows, coolbox, wifi and a 17in monitor and laptop connector for onboard presentations. The company recently won a Queen’s Award for Enterprise in International Trade.
XXXXXXX IN BRIEF TMCs
Phill Spokes
Out-of-hours service expands
AN “OUT OF HOURS” support service for TMCs is targeting growth following the completion of a management buy-out. All Seven 24, which provides call-centre services to smaller TMCs who don’t have their own 24-hour facility, is now wholly cent owned by managing director Phill Spokes, who bought the 50 per cent of All Seven 24 previously owned by Peter Reglar, CEO of Business Travel Direct. All Seven 24 has more than
doubled the number of TMC clients in the last three years, from 23 in 2009 to the current 53 across the UK, Ireland, Netherlands and Switzerland. The Ascot-based business now expects further growth. It currently employs 20 consultants, including a team of homeworkers dotted around the UK.
“When you consider that a TMC operating traditional business hours is, in fact, closed 80 per cent of the time, it is clear to see how absolutely critical our service is,” said Spokes.
AIRLINES
AIR CANADA TO START NO-FRILLS SUBSIDIARY
AIR CANADA HAS confirmed plans to launch a low-cost subsidiary next year, which will fly to destinations in Europe, the US and the Caribbean. The plans include ultimately operating up to 50 B767 and A319 aircraft, although Air Canada’s CEO Calin Rovinescu said: “This doesn’t happen overnight”.