travel forward technology
What’s different about the
conference content? Our aim is to give real examples of how things like AI and VR can bring benefits to businesses through practical, real-life examples. Some of these areas are fairly new, so there will be an education process around these new technologies. We will also look at how much these things will make a difference to the bottom line. Blockchain is an example: people don’t understand how it will benefit them. We are trying to find people who will help with that. The aim is to answer questions such as ‘how can I use it?’ and ‘What will it do for me?’
Should Travel Tech regulars be apprehensive about the
new format? We have kept what we had before, so there will still be the main booking and reservations systems present. We’re not taking anything away.
Will attendees notice any
physical difference? Yes – we have moved the show from the North Hall west entrance and put
wtm.com
it at the other end of ExCeL so it’s not hemmed in. That allows us to brand the east entrance as Travel Forward. We’re not dismantling it from WTM London; we are giving it greater emphasis.
What about the size of
the event? We had 100 exhibitors last year and we’re looking to double that. We also have two theatres for conferences holding 400 people. We’re expecting 5,000 dedicated visitors to Travel Forward. It’s an open door for WTM London delegates, but we will be scanning people so that we know who’s attending.
Is Travel Forward relevant to those who don’t normally
attend technology shows? Technology is driving the way business operates more and more. What we’re hoping to show is a range of products that people can use to improve their business with their legacy infrastructure. Given that every business uses technology, I think there’s something for everyone.
Three-day event Taking place over all three days of WTM
London, Travel Forward will comprise an exhibition and buyer programme as well as a two-day conference. High profile speakers from top technology brands in Europe and beyond are set to make the inaugural Travel Forward conference a must-attend for anyone with an interest in the sector.
Conference Day 1
Sessions start on the Monday with Travelport’s chief architect Mike Croucher, who will tackle the subject of how to digitally reimagine travel. Croucher entered the travel technology sector before the internet was born and is responsible for devising the technical infrastructure for Travelport’s commerce platform. His keynote address will discuss blockchain and touch on mobile, artificial intelligence, big data, hybrid cloud and the Internet of Things. Other first day sessions will include… Augmenting the resort experience: how AR and VR extend physical across digital and back A look at how augmented and virtual reality can help travellers prepare before they depart.
autumn 2018 wtm insights 33
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