The Business Travel Show has unveiled a 45-session strong Conference
Programme for 2009; the best in the event’s 15 year history. The programme,
which runs across all three days of the exhibition – 10-12 February 2009 –
includes three not-to-be-missed daily keynotes, six panel discussions, six case
studies, industry discussions, seminars, workshops and training streams. In
short: something for everyone.
The free-to-attend daily keynotes take place on the Centre Stage each morning
and all three will address the potential impact of the current economic climate
on the business travel industry.
Chris Tarry from the Aviation Industry Research and Advisory opens the show
on Tuesday 10 February with some crystal ball gazing in his presentation: The
Future of Air Travel. Bob Lange, head of aircraft interiors marketing, Airbus
steps in to Tarry’s shoes on 11 February as he looks at The Future of Business
Travel generally. And closing the show with Making Sense of the Economy and its
Impact on Business Travel, Roger Martin-Fagg, senior lecturer at Henley
Management College, will outline a two-year forecast for the UK and Europe.
The Centre Stage will also host six complimentary panel discussions when
business travel experts will debate a series of timely topics, including
Minimising Cost While Maintaining Consumer Confidence; Incorporating Sustainable
Travel in Your Policy; Automating Travel Management to Increase Cost Savings and
Efficiency and Open Skies & the Future of Business Class Travel.
The main seminar programme follows five streams for 2009, four of which are
in line with the event’s four Showcases – Online, Meetings, CSR and Technology –
and speakers from Accenture AG, Amadeus, AMO, Aviva, BBC, BT, Capita Business
Travel, Clickair, Concur, Continental Airlines, The Carbon Neutral Company,
Dell, Egencia, HRG, HRS, ITM, JPM Consultants, KDS, MPI UK, Nike, Phillips,
Sabre, Unisys, Wellcome Trust and Yahoo will be among those tackling up to 50
different topics over the course of the conference.
A brand new addition for 2009 is the SME training stream hosted by Graeme
Payne, experienced travel author and director of Travel Talk and Robert Daykin,
partner, Corporate Travel Partnership. The stream features four sessions
repeated daily from midday in the Show Floor Open Theatre: Understanding the
Role of the Travel Manager to Optimise Success; Tapping into Loyalty Programmes
to Generate Cost-Savings and Build Stronger Business Partnerships; Top Tips for
Negotiating with Suppliers; and Making Your Travel Dollars Go That Extra Mile in
Volatile Economic Times and Technology for the SME Business Traveller.
“I’m well aware of the demands placed on the travel arranger in today's
chaotic and demanding environment, where companies are eager to reduce costs
whilst most travellers are reluctant to alter or forgo established comforts
promoted by hoteliers and airlines,” commented Graeme Payne.
“During my sessions, designed specifically for those buying travel on behalf
of SMEs, I will illustrate the importance of monitoring the travel policy and
budget and will introduce a host of tips and plans for reducing costs whilst
identifying opportunities for improved efficiency. Many of the online booking
tools will be explored and every aspect of a travel plan will be covered from
visa procurement to meeting planning.”
David Chapple, Business Travel Show event director, added: “This year’s
conference programme is our most comprehensive yet. Over 7,000 visitors attend
the Business Travel Show. Some are more experienced than others; some will
represent global corporates, others 50-strong SMEs; some book meetings, others
focus solely on travel. As a result, they all have unique knowledge requirements
and that’s why our programme is designed to be diverse enough to both reflect –
and meet – their needs.”
For more information about the 2009 Conference Programme and to book tickets
in advance, please visit www.businesstravelshow.com Sessions
cost £45 when booked in advance or £55 on the door.