2013’s Business Travel Show will see an enhanced hosted buyer programme and a bigger focus on Europe, event director David Chapple tells BBT
THE HOSTED BUYER programme was introduced at the Business Travel Show for the first time last year, and event director David Chapple says show organiser Centaur Exhibitions is investing heavily in increasing the number of buyers attending from the UK and across Europe. “We’ve expanded the programme for 2013 from two to three days, and buyers are invited to attend from one to three days – whatever best suits their schedule,” says Chapple. “The hosted buyer programme now starts on Monday, February 4, with an afternoon conference designed with EMEA and global travel managers in mind – the content focuses on cross-boundary rather than home-grown issues.” The hosted buyers are being asked to commit to fewer, longer pre-scheduled appointments: five instead of six per day, and for 25 minutes instead of 15. “This
means they will have more time to network and take advantage of the educational programme,” adds Chapple. “And it means they will be able to spend more time with suppliers – they can dig deeper in those meetings and they won’t feel rushed.” Other new additions for hosted buyers include a pre- show welcome dinner on the Monday evening and a series of peer-to-peer networking discovery forums.
A key feature of the show is the education programme, says Chapple. “Research has shown there are three elements buyers want from the show – to source, to learn and to network – and that’s why the programme is so important. The Business Travel Show of old was predominantly a sourcing event, and over the years we have been investing heavily in the show to change this – to increase our learning and networking offerings.”
The education content has been endorsed by professional bodies the Institute of Travel & Meetings (ITM) and the Global Business Travel Association
“Research has shown there are three elements buyers want from the show – to source, to learn and to network”
(GBTA). “I’m really pleased with the way the conference is shaping up,” says Chapple. “Melanie Garrett and Amon Cohen are returning as conference directors and, in association with the buyers on our advisory board, they have created a programme that is topical and relevant – created
for buyers by buyers. We also have more buyers speaking than before, which is important because they tell us they want to hear case studies, real-life examples, and from people that understand their role and the challenges they are facing. And we have secured speakers from all over the world to give our visitors a global perspective.” With several events
throughout the year designed for business travel buyers and suppliers, how does the BT Show differentiate in this competitive market place? “The Business Travel Show has more than 6,000 attendees, over 200 suppliers, 60-plus top-level educational sessions and a variety of targeted and relevant networking opportunities for buyers and suppliers – and it’s fully hosted,” says Chapple. “Quite simply, there is no other event in Europe that can match this offering.”