ABTA speakers made too many ‘plugs’

ABTA’s technology session was poorly attended because speakers were just there to plug their products, say TravelMole readers.

Our readers have reacted strongly to the story about ABTA’s technology session, which was one of the least well attended of the Convention and was slated by those that attended.

Traveltek managing director Kenny Picken commented: “ABTA allowing this session reflected very badly on all concerned. To say it lacked professionalism is an understatement; clearly lacking in content Richard Carrick is to be applauded for his efforts to salvage the session.”

“I agree with Messrs Evans and Endacott that technology will change the way we all do business and I was very tempted to try and promote our own finished product like all who spoke in the session but there are times when its just best to say nothing and this was certainly that time.”

Peter Heath, who is managing director of public relations company TextWrite agreed that all too often speakers use their slots to plug their products, “blatantly, outrageously and to little benefit for the long-suffering audience”, he said.

He added: “Everyone knows that technology has an important role to play in the development of their businesses – they’re just sick of hearing the inevitable, self-serving and unhelpful sales bumf handed out session after session.”

Speaking to TravelMole this morning Richard Carrick, Hoseasons chief executive and moderator of the technology session at the ABTA Convention said that company plugs are inevitable.

“It is always difficult to get technology practitioners to talk about technology without making specific examples to products and case studies. The other route is to get consultants up there but they’ve also got a living to make.

“The audience should have been able to separate the facts from the corporate message.”

ABTA has also defended the speakers. Head of corporate affairs, Keith Betton told TravelMole: “It is well-known that we ask speakers to refrain from plugging their products – and I think people will accept that we are generally
successful at doing that.

“However when talking about technology it can be difficult for speakers to give examples of how things work without mentioning their own brand – and I certainly recognise one speaker whose presentation suffered from the criticism that has been raised.”

Mr Carrick also said an alternative format for technology debates should be considered by ABTA. “Smaller group sessions with more focus and a more hands on approach with practitioners and agents that have a case study to present could be a more appropriate format for this kind of debate”, he told TravelMole.

Mr Picken agreed that ABTA needs to change its direction with session content: “If ABTA wants to continue, it really needs to research the needs of its members and provide focused, quality sessions with speakers who have actually prepared for them”, he said.