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Travel Technology Show: What did you think?
Event director David Chapple says the event will not be a “one hit wonder” like some of its predecessors, and says over half the exhibitors at the inaugural show have booked stands for next year. He told TravelMole: “Some companies were reticent about exhibiting because of the outcome of previous technology events like Solutions, and even the technology show case at World Travel Market, which has shrunk. “There is a lot of scepticism in the market but I think that a lot of people who didn’t exhibit this year wish they had.” According to Mr Chapple 56% of exhibitors have re-booked, and he expects more to follow soon. Exhibitors who booked a stand for the following year while on site received a loyalty discount. Mr Chapple said: “It is Centaur policy to reward exhibitors who supported the show in its first year.” Mr Chapple said he didn’t think the event would out-grow its venue and would continue to be run alongside the Business Travel Show next year. “We both benefited from the cross-over of visitors” he said. When asked what he thought exhibitors might complain about, Mr Chapple said the only problem concerned the internet connection on the first day. He said: “For any show there are teething problems, but the contractors and our team ironed them out very quickly and the internet connection was resumed by lunch.” The most popular seminars were those on the future of GDSs, which sold out two weeks before the event, dynamic packaging, multiple distribution for tour operators, and the session on web marketing in association with CIMTIG. Mr Chapple said that next year’s programme would build on the success of this year’s and incorporate the relevant hot topics. Did you visit the show? Did you exhibit? What did you think? Post your comments by clicking the ‘Add your own comments to this story’ link below… Report by Ginny McGrath
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