This year the event showcases products and services from more than 200 suppliers. The show features more than 60 education sessions and a range of networking and social events.
ENHANCED HOSTED BUYER PROGRAMME The hosted buyer programme, sponsored by Amadeus, offers senior travel and procurement managers free travel and accommodation, hotel and show transfers, fast-track entry, a catered lounge and exclusive events. This year the show is extending the programme to three
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL SHOW INTELLIGENCE REPORT
The BT Show polled a number of senior travel buyers on key topical issues. Extracts are featured below, and you can register to see the full report at www.businesstravelshow.com
What are the biggest challenges facing travel buyers and managers over the next 12 months? “I believe travellers and bookers will be challenging the idea of going through preferred suppliers instead of booking through the web. I believe this will grow and will require greater communication skills from travel managers.” JAFLES PACHEKO, Oerlikon
“Return on investment [ROI] is the future. Now that all the low-hanging fruits have been collected, ROI calculation is going to be a mandatory exercise in order to better control the cost of our travellers and pilot change- management in order to reach the best travel configuration and policy for our companies.” YANN LE GOFF, Sidel Blowing & Service SAS
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‘Rogue travellers’ were a big theme in the corporate travel industry in 2012. Should buyers be relaxing policy? “Buyers and travel managers should under no circumstances relax policies. There is no convincing argument for rogue buyers’ behaviour. These people are undermining corporate deals, causing huge process costs and
putting themselves in danger. Cost benefits can better be realised by smarter planning, better involvement of the travel agency and foregoing convenience.” RUEDIGER BRUSS, Continental AG
“If we don’t provide a satisfactory service to our internal customers then, in a non-mandatory environment, they’ll go and source services themselves – with the associated risks and subsequent increases in corporate spend. There are always those who will work outside policy, but understanding their drivers and addressing this in the policy will minimise the disadvantages.” JEF ROBINSON, Citrix Systems
How would you improve the hotel request for proposal (RFP) season? “I have never liked the hotel RFP process. There must be a better way to do this than the current painstaking and time- consuming process. Outsourcing the hotel RFP is what makes most sense. The challenge then is keeping good relationships with the top properties.” PHILIP HAXNE, Sony Mobile Communications
days (from Monday, February 4) featuring additional pre-show conference sessions and networking opportunities. Also new for 2013 are the networking and discovery forums, held in the hosted buyer lounge at various times throughout the show for informal peer networking and knowledge sharing.
THE BUSINESS TRAVEL TECH ZONE Buyers and agents can check out the latest technology products and services being showcased and demonstrated by suppliers in the Business Travel Technology Zone, which features a ten-session strong, technology-focused conference programme.
EDUCATION, EDUCATION, EDUCATION The conference programme is sponsored by Amadeus and produced in association with ITM and GBTA. It includes more than 60 sessions over three days. Buyer-led masterclasses, panel debates and case studies will drill down into topical travel issues, share best practice and aid benchmarking.
AGENT LOUNGE Sponsored by Sabre Travel Network, the Agent Lounge allows informal networking and knowledge-sharing among travel agents, including a daily afternoon drinks reception.
ASAP PAVILION The Association of Serviced Apartment Providers (ASAP) Pavilion features 20 suppliers showcasing more than 100 serviced apartment locations worldwide.
CELLARS IN THE SKY WINE TASTING Taste the favourites on the Business Traveller/Buying Business Travel stand. 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.
AFTER-SHOW NETWORKING PARTY Visitors and exhibitors are invited to the after-show networking party on Tuesday, February 5 from 5.30pm at the Central Café on the show floor. It’s a great chance to wind down and socialise with colleagues after a busy day of appointments and sessions.
AIRLINE PAVILION If you are looking at your air travel policy, the show’s airline pavilion hosts a comprehensive line up of global airlines: the perfect place for buyers to source new suppliers and refine air travel policies.
ITM VILLAGE Buyers can meet a range of buyer, travel management company (TMC) and supplier members of ITM at ITM Village, and find out more about membership.