The international event for business travel

Launched in 1994, 2019 marks the 25th anniversary of the Business Travel Show: the international event for business travel.

Bringing together more than 9,000 industry professionals each year, the Business Travel Show gives thousands of travel managers free access to over 260 world-class suppliers, first class conference sessions created and delivered by experts, and the right contacts to help create future proof travel programmes.

That’s why this year’s theme for the show, taking place on 20-21 February at Olympia London, is Travel 2022. The event will feature content designed specifically to prepare travel managers for the future of business travel by focusing on introducing them to the technology, techniques and topics that will dominate the industry over the next three years.

Travel management in the public sector
For public sector travel managers operating outside official travel frameworks, the Business Travel Show is the perfect place to discover thousands of next generation products and services from global brands and excitingly disruptive traveller services and technology providers.

Buyers and managers can network and negotiate with suppliers including TMCs American Express Global Business Travel, Carlson Wagonlit and CTM, airlines United Airlines, easyJet and Lufthansa, accommodation providers Hilton Hotels, Premier Inn, Travelodge and Airbnb, and ground transport specialists Uber and Trainline.

For public sector travel managers operating within official travel frameworks, the Business Travel Show is a unique opportunity to catch up with their portfolio or preferred suppliers under one roof, engage in peer to peer networking and update their knowledge base.

What’s new for 2019
New content at Business Travel Show in 2019 includes WonderLAB, an interactive tech showcase where travel managers can get hands on with the innovations that will impact travelling and travel management in the future: driverless cars, drones, robots and mixed reality experiences.

The Future Forum is also a new launch: a new multipurpose theatre and communal space on the show floor where travel managers can take part in a series of brand-new educational and networking Huddles, as well as watch the fourth annual Disrupt Awards final at 1pm on Wednesday 20 February with voting led by head judge and travel tech expert Nick Easen.

The five Disrupt finalists are exhibitors from the show’s Disrupt Launchpad (part of the WonderLAB), which supports start-ups with a free stand, expert advice, marketing support and crucial exposure.

Expertly-delivered conference sessions
The Travel 2022 theme also weaves its way through this year’s conference programme, which features a range of free sessions designed to help public sector buyers and managers to buy travel better and increase their efficiency.

There are over 60 thought-provoking sessions shaped by corporate travel and covering the biggest issues facing travel managers today, including the ever-popular Forecasting Forum, a look at how Brexit may shape corporate travel, how to anticipate and manage global risk, AI, MR and other next generation technologies, and valuable insight into the new skills all travel managers will need to succeed in the future.

Buyer-led masterclasses, panel debates and case studies will drill down into topical travel issues, impart best practice, aid benchmarking and allow for invaluable knowledge and experience-sharing among buyers from similar industries facing common challenges. Speakers, including buyers from the likes of Rovio Entertainment, Inntel, Capgemini, nPower, Centrica and EY, will pass on tips and tricks from the private sector to public sector buyers, covering topics such as demand management, multinational travel programmes, payment solutions, cost forecasting and compliance.

The Business Travel Show conference programme is CPD accredited and sponsored by Egencia and American Express.

Producer picks
Our conference producer, Amon Cohen, is also a leading business travel journalist and industry expert. Here are his top 15 picks from this year’s programme:

Tuesday 19 February (hosted buyers only)

1345-1500: Fit for the future – Creating an agile travel platform
1630-1730: Breaking up is hard to do – How to switch travel service providers with less headaches

Wednesday 20 February

1000-1100: Brexit and the global risk outlook – What do fast-shifting changes in geo-politics mean for business travel?
1000-1100: Introduce bots into your travel programme to slash admin and boost communications
1130-1230: Predictive analytics – What does it mean, and can it improve your travel programme?
1300-1400: Stars of the East – getting to grips with managing travel in China and India
1430-1530: NDC – Will travel buyers win or lose?
1600-1700: What are the new skills I need to win as a travel manager?

Thursday 21 February

1000-1100: How to improve traveller well-being without harming your travel budget
1000-1100: Buyers’ revolution – let’s take back control of our data!  
1130-1230: Traveller profiling – a game-changing new way to organise your travel programme
1130-1230: Solving the challenge of booking non-employee travel
1300-1400: Forecasting Forum 2019 – The travel price and risk outlook for the next 12 months
1300-1400: Get ready for One Order to transform business travel
1430-1530: Hi-tech in action – How AI, blockchain, bots, augmented/virtual reality will transform travel management

Networking
The Business Travel Show provides travel managers with a unique opportunity to meet around 9,000 professionals from across Europe. From peer-to-peer and supplier networking sessions, to informal social events, buyers will build new relationships at the show and be given a chance to share knowledge and best practice. There are also four hour-long ‘Cellars in the Sky’ wine tastings, hosted by Business Traveller.

Hosted buyer programme
In return for committing to five or more pre-scheduled appointments per day with exhibitors of their choice, hosted buyers enjoy a three-day conference programme, personal online diary system, up to two nights’ complimentary accommodation and an invitation to the buyer-only masterclass sessions at the show.

Specialist areas
The International Hotel Village returns this year and includes leading global and local hotel providers. Elsewhere, the Airline Pavilion hosts a comprehensive line up of global airlines while the GTMC Pavilion brings many of its members to the Business Travel Show, including TMCs, airlines, car rental suppliers and travel and expense management suppliers. The show also plays host to the ASAP Pavilion, a one-stop-shop for those sourcing global serviced apartment suppliers and wanting information to rethink accommodation strategies.

Business Travel Technology Zone TMCs, agents and corporate travel buyers can source their corporate travel technology needs in the Business Travel Technology Zone, as well as watch technology demos from suppliers and enjoy cutting-edge, technology-focused conference content.

Two shows in one
A visitor pass to the Business Travel Show includes access to Travel Technology Europe, Europe’s largest event dedicated to providing innovative and integral technology solutions to buyers in the travel industry. Both events take place on 20 and 21 February 2019 at Olympia London.