p15 ttg_lux_event special iltm 25/9/09 18:59 Page 15
Plan ahead: mixing business
with pleasure at ILTM. . .
Monday, December 7
6pm-9pm
ILTM Ultratravel Forum,
inaugural ILTM Ultra.travel
Awards in the Grand Auditorium
Q&A
at the Palais des Festivals et
des Congres followed by
welcome drinks in the foyer
of the Debussey Theatre at
the conference centre
DEBBIE JOSLIN
Tuesday, December 8 Group exhibition director, ILTM
9am-6pm
ILTM pre-scheduled appointment WHO ATTENDS ILTM?
GETTING THE MOST
programme, speed networking We had 1,218 buyers last year and are on
and Focus Forums in the Grand course to achieve a similar level in 2009.
OF THIS YEAR’S ILTM
Auditorium We are targeting 70 countries and expecting
to see increased buyer participation from
ILTM’s four-day programme will include a series of 8pm-1am Brazil, US, China and Germany. Last year
initiatives to accelerate business opportunities for buyers ILTM official party at Hotel 845 buyers looked to place orders of
and suppliers. Martinez, Cannes between €50,000 and €5 million with
Introduced for the first-time last year, “speed-networking” 52% of those being placed within a year.
sessions will be back, but more focused, giving a series of Wednesday, December 9
12 five-minute meetings in each daily session and based 9am-6pm What doEs ILTM oFFEr
on key luxury themes. Buyers will select the specific ILTM pre-scheduled appointment suppliErs and buyErs?
categories they wish to attend, from gastronomic programme, speed networking The size of the event is controlled, ensuring
experiences to boutique hotel getaways. and Focus Forums there is a balanced ratio of suppliers to
Other topics include “Luxury on the edge” for soft and buyers. Equally important is the strict
extreme adventures; “Luxury living” for villas and serviced 6pm-9pm qualification process for suppliers and
apartments; “Going the extra mile” for private jets, luxury ILTM business networking buyers, guaranteeing that only the industry’s
rail and elite transportation; “Extravagance on the high session, with cocktails at elite are invited to “do business”, based on
seas” for cruise, yacht and sailing; “Hammocks with a view” the show the pre-scheduled appointment system and
for beach resorts and private islands; “On course luxury” business and social networking events.
for golf, spa and ski; and “Appointments with luxury” for Thursday, December 10
elite meeting venues. 9am-5pm HOW DO YOU DECIDE WHETHER
A series of Focus Forums will also take place, giving ILTM pre-scheduled appointment TO ACCEPT A BUYER?
suppliers the chance to present to a select group of programme, speed networking ILTM has a strict qualifying criteria for
buyers with a private networking opportunity, as well as and Focus Forums hosted buyers. They must operate on an
lunch and evening networking receptions (see right). Each outbound basis; show evidence of past
buyer will be invited to attend up to two Focus Forums. and future business placed in luxury
Speed networking and Focus Forums will take place travel; and be an established player in
around the strict main pre-scheduled appointments on the market place.
exhibitor stands.
WHAT TRENDS ARE YOU SEEING
IN THE LUXURY MARKET?
It is changing, with authenticity and the
quality of experience becoming increasingly
WHY BUYERS GO TO ILTM important to group and individual travellers.
It has been a difficult 12 months for many luxury buyers but the Our feedback shows buyers are increasingly
consensus from ILTM’s 2009 delegates appears to be that this looking for customised, unique experiences
can be combated – as long as operators and agents take a with adventure travel high on the list
strategic approach. together with luxury safaris, niche boat
Buyers heading to this year’s event are set on using the cruises and themed holidays taking in
event as a key networking opportunity. cooking courses or art tours. In terms of
Jonathan Rosenfeld, director of SoHo Travel, (pictured top destinations, eastern Europe is making its
left) said he plans to use the event as an opportunity to “find mark, as are countries in the Middle East,
and build, or re-secure existing working relationships with some Africa and South America. With adventure
of the finest suppliers in their field”. luxury travel on the increase, New Zealand
Boscolo Tours’ director of contract management is becoming a sought-after destination.
Samia Cherif (centre) said the speed networking offered an
“innovative way to enhance networking opportunities”. HOW HAS THE RECESSION
“ILTM is one of the rare shows to offer an efficient AFFECTED LUXURY TRAVEL?
pre-scheduled appointment system that enables us to make It has not stopped travellers booking holidays
the most of every minute we spend at an event,” she said. and luxury experiences. Luxury travellers
Pure Luxury Holidays product manager Matt Appleby are demanding extra value. They want
(bottom left) said he will meet with key hotel partners. “I expect seamless, quality services reflecting the
to see all luxury hoteliers offering something creative in these price they are paying, tailored to their
challenging times,” he said. “It is companies who are most individual requirements. I think there will
proactive that are the ones gaining market share.” be a continued focus on authenticity and
the quality of experience in 2010.
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