With two in-person networking events, the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show is for the first time gathering the industry in two selected marketplaces.
This summer ITB Berlin is going on tour, and the World’s Leading Travel Trade Show is organising a total of three event formats. In addition to the virtual ITB Berlin Convention from 8 to 10 March and the Digital Business Day on 17 March, featuring numerous business and networking opportunities, users can for the first time look forward to two live in-person events in other European countries. These are the start of a new series of exclusive live B2B networking events, which will gather hand-picked contacts in leading European tourism marketplaces.
Each event offers numerous networking opportunities, slots at a Speed Networking event, as well as a Knowledge Track, with workshops presenting and discussing the latest travel industry topics.
In terms of providers, the new concept in particular targets tourism organisations, tour operators, accommodation, technology providers, travel agencies, DMCs, carriers and business travel companies. These will in turn address leading buyers, trade visitors representing the leisure, corporate and MICE segments – including tour operators, travel designers, agencies and anyone interested in the respective markets. Hand-picked media representatives will also be able to take part in these exclusive industry events.
“If there is one thing that is good about the pandemic, it is that we can completely rethink concepts“, said David Ruetz, head of ITB Berlin. “In addition to the virtual formats of the convention and Digital Business Day, it was important for us to satisfy the urgent need for face-to-face meetings by offering fascinating networking events. These events give us an opportunity to spread out services over the course of the year and bring some 200 senior decision-makers together with relevant providers in selected markets. This is a first, and we are already looking forward to it.”
Day one of the two-day event will kick off with a business breakfast, after which users can look forward to a Speed Networking session, where matchmaking will take place with slots for providers and buyers, as well as numerous open networking opportunities, available to any user throughout the day.
After the lunch break, events will continue with the Knowledge Track, with experts holding keynote speeches, discussions and workshops, offering users market insights, trends and new developments as pointers for the future. An informal get-together will round off the opening day. In addition, the following optional Destination Day will be devoted specifically to the host country, so that users can gain fascinating insights into that destination.
The exact dates and locations of the B2B networking event series will be announced soon.