Ideas that fuel growth

Simon Press, Senior Director, WTM London, briefs about the new and exciting elements added to the exhibition this year, set to be held from November 5-7.

Q. What is the theme for WTM London 2018?

Ideas Arrive Here is the theme for WTM London 2018. The event is the hotbed for ideas creation in the travel industry. It is at WTM London that business ideas that fuel the industry are thought up, developed, evolved and agreed.

Q. What is new for WTM London 2018?

There will be a dedicated focus on the geographic regions of the exhibition floor with an Inspiration Zone added to each region. These zones will host dedicated regional content and events. The inaugural International Travel & Tourism Awards will also take place on the evening of November 6 at the iconic Tobacco Dock venue. The awards will recognise and reward excellence and best practice in 13 categories. A new technology event will also be co-located with WTM London at ExCeL. Travel Forward will inspire the travel and hospitality industry with the next generation of technology. It will include a two-day paid-for conference programme. Furthermore, the new WTM Agency Pavilion will offer dedicated exhibition space for marketing, representation, PR, media and social media agency to promote their services to the industry. The pavilion will be conveniently located at the entrance of the WTM International Media Centre.

There will be up to 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries taking part in WTM London 2018, with many first-time exhibitors. Established exhibitors with large stands at the event will include Italy, India and Greece

Q. How much business can exhibitors expect to conduct at WTM London 2018?

WTM London 2017 saw one million on-stand meetings facilitating more than £3.1 billion in business deals. For 2018, we expect even more business to be conducted. Around 11,000 senior industry buyers will attend the event with a total purchasing power of around £16 billion. So WTM London provides unrivalled business opportunities for exhibitors.

Q. What topics are covered in the conference programme?

The conference programme is the place for the latest ideas, research and opinion. It is the place where industry topics are debated and the ideas for future direction of the industry are created. Many of these sessions will be hosted on the regional Inspiration Zones which will include leading CEOs from around the world. This means the sessions will help inspire delegates further with ideas that can fuel their businesses.

Q. Who is speaking at WTM London 2018?

WTM London 2018 will have a host of renowned speakers from both inside and outside the travel and tourism industry. Speakers confirmed so far include Andrew Flintham Managing Director, TUI UK; Johan Lundgren, CEO, EasyJet and Steve Bryne, CEO, Travel Counsellors.

Q. Which exhibitors should we look out for?

There will be up to 5,000 exhibitors from 182 countries taking part in WTM London 2018, with many new exhibitors taking part for the first time. Established exhibitors with large stands at the event will include Italy, India and Greece.

Q. Are there any travel and accommodation discounts delegates can take advantage of?

Hotels bookings can be made via WTM London’s exclusive relationship with Hotel Map: https://london.wtm.com/help/book-accommodation