With less than a week to go until the third annual Business Travel Market (BTM), the conference & exhibition for European travel buyers, a host of exhibitor activities are already in place for the two day event. Being held between 22 and 23 June, at London’s Excel, this year is set to be bigger and better than ever with exhibitors taking the opportunity to maximise their presence with timely news announcements.

“We’re really excited to hear more about the announcements our exhibitors are planning for this year’s event” said Paul Robin, event director, Business Travel Market. “With a key European audience of VIP hosted buyers, BTM is the perfect opportunity for our exhibitors to discuss their new products and innovations in order to differentiate themselves from competitors in the market.”

Platinum Sponsor Qatar Airways is inviting attendees to discover a different side to its celebrated on-board service. With wine tasting on the stand and a sommelier to explain the reasoning behind the choices in top-class wines, this offers a great opportunity for attendees to meet the team and experience the product, without take-off. Additionally, there will be the opportunity to meet representatives from Qatar Airways’ key European markets on a 1-2-1 basis at the stand for the duration of the event in the comfort of Qatar Airways’ BTM VIP Lounge. As part of this year’s activities all VIP Hosted Buyers can enter a card drop prize draw with the chance to win two Business Class tickets.

Carlson Wagonlit Travel - At this year’s BTM CWT will be serving up a host of tennis based activities, from live Wimbledon tennis on screens at the stand to a Wii tennis competition and fresh fruit smoothies. With the CWT on hand to provide business travel advice, whilst taking on competitors in the tennis stakes, it’s set to be an eventful area at this year’s BTM. In addition, 10 pairs of tickets for the Barclays ATP World Tour Finals are up for grabs at stand 634. CWT is also one of the sponsors of this year’s BTM Miami Beach Party and has a dedicated website detailing activity at the event http://www.cwt-client.co.uk/btm/

Portman Travel – BTM’s official travel management company, will use BTM as the official launchpad for its latest technology, which will be unveiled on the stand at midday on Wednesday 23rd June. Portman Travel, one of the UK’s longest-established travel management companies, will also be giving away an iPad2 to one lucky VIP hosted buyer in a card drop prize draw.

Etihad Airways – The airline will be promoting the launch of Business Connect in the UK. Business Connect is a new loyalty programme for SMEs which allows employees to collect points, and pool them within their business to generate additional rewards. The airline’s CEO James Hogan will also be in attendance, as keynote speaker on day one of BTM and Etihad is also sponsoring this year’s new, exclusive PA Promotion, which will run across both days of the event.

Starwood Hotels & Resorts - Visitors to this year’s BTM will be given a sneak preview of the new Aloft London ExCeL with an exclusive pop-up bar on the Starwood Hotels & Resorts stand serving up Aloft Hotels cocktails.  The 252-bedroom Aloft London ExCeL is set to open at the end of this year.  Directly connected to the International Exhibition and Convention Centre, the hotel is set to bring the brand’s urban-influenced design, high technology and signature loft-like guest rooms to the United Kingdom. www.alofthotels.com/londonexcel

Budget Rent-a-Car - Will be talking about their new mobile booking facility, which aims to make car hire bookings easier for smart phone users on the move. In addition, Budget Rent-a-Car will also have a sporty Citroen DS3 Racing vehicle on the stand for delegates to admire, as well as competition prizes giving away complimentary rentals and discounts.

Chambers Travel Management - Chambers will launch an exciting new market-leading application at this year’s BTM. The product has been developed in-house by Chambers utilising its award-winning technology. The revolutionary application will be unveiled on the Chambers/GlobalStar stand at 3pm on Wednesday 22 June. To celebrate the launch, Chambers will be giving all visitors to its stand the opportunity to win an Apple iPad 2. Delegates can stop by the stand any time during the two-day event to be in with a chance of winning this iconic prize. Following the launch at 4pm, Chambers CEO, Christopher Thelen, will be speaking in the ‘Back to the Future? How important is a travel policy, control and process cost transparency?’ conference session.

GlobalStar Travel Management – At BTM, GlobalStar will be showcasing FareStar, which allows GlobalStar consultants to search a global database with fares from every country where there is a GlobalStar partner. This functionality means that participating members can share management and/or fulfilment for corporate accounts on a global basis through their agent’s desktops. This is done in real time and is unmatched by any other product in the market today. FareStar technology allows members, on any major GDS, the ability to search, compare, reserve, have tickets issued and maintain visibility of the reservation and full management of the reservation.

Mint Hotel – The hotel group will be celebrating the opening of Mint Hotel Amsterdam, the group’s first international hotel which opened earlier this year. The 553-room hotel, occupies a prime position overlooking the IJ River on Oosterdoksstraat in the heart of Amsterdam – a short five minutes’ walk from Central Station and 15 minutes from Schiphol Airport. Ideal for leisure or business trips, Mint Hotel Amsterdam boasts stunning meetings and events spaces - including a rooftop SkyLounge space with private function rooms - all with floor-to-ceiling windows exposing breathtaking views of the city. ( i think there is a prize with this – see newsletter)

Oberoi Hotels and Resorts – Oberoi will be celebrating the opening of the Oberoi, Gurgaon, located in the heart of the business and commercial district of Delhi National Capital Region. This urban sanctuary prides itself on a quiet resort setting, personalised service and the best of modern amenities. The Oberoi Gurgaon is spread over nine acres of lush landscaping and water features, the architecture of the hotel focuses upon a ‘Jewel Box’ - a minimalist edifice in glass and steel that houses the lobby, dining and meeting facilities.

Omega World Travel - Omega will be introducing Tony Hughes, it’s recently appointed new commercial director for the EMEA region at BTM. Over his 40 years career Tony Hughes has held senior positions in the UK and the US including managing director at P&O Travel, president and CEO at RADIUS and chairman of the GTMC and most recently Qatar Airways’ vice-president Americas.

PTCi – Parent company PTC will be showcasing its new website at BTM as an exciting development in the company’s history. In addition, PTCi is giving away €250 in cash consulting currency. Qualified Buyers will have the opportunity to exchange their business card for stylised PTCi Euro notes which have been personalised to feature PTCi consultants and can be traded in for real time with a consultant.

3SIXTY Global - 3SIXTY Global will be launching its new “Supplier Services” division at BTM - aimed at helping suppliers better meet the challenges posed by the buyers and travel managers in today’s market. The lunchtime seminar on day one of the event, hosted by 3SIXTY Global, will incorporate this aspect of the business, discussing “Improving the Client: Supplier Relationship.”