The 5th IFTM Top Resa will have a strong business travel focus, in line with its development strategy since 2008.

The travel and tourism sector is undergoing a radical transformation. Suppliers are catering for a broader customer base and want an exhibition that gives them access to all segments of the market under one roof at the most suitable time in the industry calendar.

The exhibitors – tour operators, tourist offices, airports and airlines, shipping companies, cruise lines, hotels, carriers, new technologies, etc. – are seeking to distribute their products effectively while at the same time managing their marketing and communications budget with maximum efficiency.
Having boosted the leisure travel sector by creating a village geared specifically to the leisure travel and tourism retail networks and encouraging more travel agents to participate, we are now focusing on organising the show’s business travel sector more effectively.

IFTM investing in two major developments:

1. Free 15 m² turnkey stand for TMCs

Travel management companies (AmEx, BCD Travel, CWT, Egencia, Frequent Flyer Travel, HRG, Manor, Selectour Affaires, etc.) can take advantage of a free 15m2 turnkey stand in the “Club Affaires” area. This prestigious area provided by the organisers will bring together leading travel management companies, buyers associations and suppliers focused on the business travel sector.

Before launching the project, Exhibition Director Vincent Lhoste consulted all the TMCs. The proposal was greeted with enthusiasm.
Most TMCs found the concept appealing. Valérie Sasset, Managing Director of BCD Travel, said: “At BCD Travel we’re delighted with this initiative. September is an excellent time to meet our customers, prospects and suppliers. IFTM Top Resa now covers the entire travel and tourism industry and these new initiatives will give the show’s business travel sector a real impetus”.

2. IFTM Top Resa European Business Travel Day

Wednesday 19 September will be European Business Travel Day at IFTM Top Resa. This day dedicated entirely to business travel will reach beyond the borders of France to explore the potential of the European market.

The programme will include a series of talks on topics of particular relevance to the sector by top-flight business travel experts. Travel managers from companies in France and elsewhere in Europe will be invited to share and compare experiences with suppliers and European TMCs. The specialist media and trade bodies will also be involved.

With the Business Travel Awards “Les Lauriers du Voyage d’Affaires” (organised by IFTM Top Resa, DeplacementsPro.com and Thalys), the Business Travel Forum, the appointments system, the Privilege Club for key buyers, European Business Travel Day and the development of the Business Club (with all TMCs present), IFTM Top Resa 2012 promises to be a key event for the development of the show’s business travel sector and the business travel industry as a whole.