Delegates at this year’s World Travel Market, the leading global event for the travel industry, are already confident of the business opportunities at WTM 2011 and they could even set a record for the amount of business generated this year. The event started today (Monday 7 November) with a Speed Networking session for members of the Meridian Club.

Already, many of those attending are confident they will make the connections needed to maintain and grow their businesses further. It is expected even more business will be done, generating deals worth more than the record amount of the £1,425 million generated either at the event of as a result of conversations started at the event in 2010. The 2010 figure represents a 25% growth £1,139 million generated in 2009.

Speaking at the Speed Networking session, Sme Promotions Chief Executive Adil Qayyum said: “In the Speed Networking we can meet serious people to do business with. Business to business networking should be organised like this and every exhibition should have this sort of system.”

Absolute Travel Luxury Travel Sales Manager Holly Monahan said: “The Speed Networking is a really good opportunity to start making the connections we need to add Europe to our portfolio. I can fit a lot of meetings into a short time here, and then decide which companies to spend more time with in the hall. This is a good way of expediting the networking experience.”

Koolivoo Sales and Marketing Director Chris Mckinley said: “This is the second time we have tried the WTM Speed Networking. Last year it worked a treat and we picked up four new clients as a result. We picked up our first Indian client, which was a target market for us to break into.

“What I particularly like about WTM is the global nature of who turns up. In any sector, new business opportunities have to be pursued and WTM opens us up to the world. The event is well organised, and because the event takes place on the opening day there is time for the follow-up meetings. “

World Tours Gruppespesialisten Director for Sales and Marketing Hanne Marit Schultz said: “We actually just started our company one month ago so we are looking for good agents to work with. We’re hoping to see a lot of different people.”

Travelpass International Managing Director Barry Sims said: “The quality of the people we meet is obviously the primary concern and this allows us to see a lot of people in a very short amount of time.”

Travel Managers Managing Partner Chijindu Okoronkwo said: “We visited and exhibited last year and decided to try the speed networking because of a specific interest in tours and technology.”